LANGUAGE ARTS

The language arts (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) are taught using an integrated approach. Each child will be following the sequential steps of the Writing Process: brainstorming, drafting, editing, conferencing, revising, publishing. Using feedback, students revise and edit their own papers. Grammar, mechanics, style, and techniques are taught daily through the students’ own writing and teacher directed lessons. We use Write Traits materials to help us focus on the six traits of writing: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. Students have the opportunity to choose their own topics as well as work with assigned topics. This insures practice in many different forms of writing such as fiction and nonfiction, poetry, reports, persuasive pieces, letters, and journal entries. The students will learn to consider their audience and purpose for writing pieces. Rubrics will frequently be used to evaluate their writing and oral presentations throughout the school year. Sharing of student’s work will be a frequent activity.

The reading program has three parts; Shared Reading, SSR (Sustained Silent Reading), and Guided Reading. During the year you can expect your child to experience reading a wide variety of literatures together with me during shared reading. This literature will include fantasy, biography, myths, poetry, realistic fiction, nonfiction, dramatic reading and performance. Discussion, projects, and group activities will be a large part of many shared readings. SSR is a required daily activity. During this time I conference individually with the students. It is here that I gain a better understanding of individual reading strengths and weaknesses. These conferences announce to me the areas that we need to focus on. During Guided Reading small groups are formed to focus on specific comprehension skills: responding, questioning, making connections, visualizing, inferring, and identifying themes. These groups are based on an assessment and change frequently. All of these skills will help them to become life long readers and prepare for the reading MCAS they will take in the spring.

We are using the Spelling for Writers program this year. It provides a manageable way for students to explore the English language; develop numerous strategies; develop their ability to look at, listen to, and think about words; and finally, to extend that learning into becoming fluent writers. It teaches children how to wonder about the language, learn its features, and become word historians.