This study examined a combined reading curriculum (CRC) containing all the essential reading components of phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. The CRC combines a word study curriculum with a specifically designed supplemental reading curriculum to create a developmental, systematic, and comprehensive reading program. Spelling and Reading scores were examined for 88 first-graders. 44 students, 22 EL and 22 NonEL, were selected from both a treatment and comparison school. Results indicated that both EL and NonEL students who used the CRC made significant gains in spelling and reading. Results showed significant reading improvement gains that were 54% greater for EL students and 60% greater for NonEL students. Results suggest the effectiveness of combining reading components as an effective approach to reading instruction, and the CRC as a model for curricula design.