Grade 1
Our literacy program covers all four areas: reading, listening, speaking and writing. Teachers emphasize learning the sounds associated with the 71 phonograms, the building blocks of the English language. Students regularly utilize these phonetic skills in reading, writing, and spelling. Students develop their reading fluency by recognizing high frequency words. Having mastered the alphabet and its sounds, they continue to develop phonetic ways to decode words and understand new vocabulary through syntax and content. They learn basic reading strategies such as making predictions and retelling a simple story. They learn how to choose books at their reading level and begin to develop stamina to read for short periods independently. They progress through reading repetitive pattern books to simple decodable short stories.
In language arts, letter formation and spacing, grammar skills including parts of speech such as nouns and verbs, basic punctuation, capitalization, rhyming words, and simple contractions are introduced and practiced. In spelling they learn to identify and use letter patterns and sounds to write words. Students work on writing short complete sentences and learn ways to organize thoughts in simple written form.
Listening and speaking skills are developed by teachers reading aloud and providing opportunities for students to retell stories and share personal experiences and opinions. Short poems and songs are memorized and performed. Basic discussion skills are taught and practiced and children are encouraged to express their ideas and respond to others.
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Grade 2
Our literacy program covers all four areas: reading, listening, speaking and writing. In reading, students are introduced to different genres and authors and progress to reading simple chapter books. They learn to recognize more complex high frequency words and to read out loud fluently and with expression. They are taught to retell stories in sequence, identify character, plot and setting, make connections to the text and reflect on the important ideas in the story. They develop more stamina by reading for longer periods of time. Students learn to choose books at their reading level, read daily and maintain a reading log.
In language arts, students learn to write in complete sentences using basic past and future tense, and correct grammar. They master simple punctuation and capitalization. They learn sound and letter patterns in spelling and apply them when writing. They develop their vocabulary through texts they have read and begin using dictionaries. They can identify and write declarative, interrogatory and exclamatory sentences and use them in their compositions. Students write short poems and creative short stories and begin to use the writing process. They continue to develop their handwriting skills.
Students develop listening and speaking skills through listening to stories read aloud, and discussing them. They are encouraged to share ideas and express opinions using discussion skills that our taught and modeled. Students perform short poems, songs and skits. They practice good listening skills by looking at the speaker, raising their hands and asking questions.
Grade 3
Our literacy program covers all four areas: reading, listening, speaking and writing. In reading, students progress to reading more complex chapter books and nonfiction. They add to their list of reading strategies by learning to make connections, visualize text, make more meaningful predictions, identify the important elements of a story and distinguish between opinion and fact. They increase their stamina by reading everyday and keeping a reading journal. They develop a more comprehensive vocabulary in all subjects by learning and using, both in speech and writing, words that are taken from texts that are studied. Dictionaries become a regular tool in classroom work. They explore different genres in children’s literature and can explain their likes and dislikes in an analytical manner.
In language arts, students learn to use the writing process and begin to utilize paragraphing. They create short stories and poems, and express their ideas and respond to texts in written form more regularly. Much attention is paid to the accuracy of spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and the clear expression of ideas. More complex tense structures are taught. Basic research skills are taught as they prepare posters and short reports. Students practice cursive writing.
Students develop listening and speaking skills by participating in more group and whole class discussions. They prepare short presentations and present them to the class. They are taught to support Ideas and opinions with text and/or research. They perform poetry, short skits and oral presentations.
Grade 4
Our literacy program covers all four areas: reading, listening, speaking and writing. In reading, students progress to reading complex children’s literature with more developed plots and character development. They are taught to make inferences and analyze stories by asking questions such as: why?, how? and what if? They learn to accurately summarize and can identify the theme. They are guided to reflect on what they’ve read and support their ideas with references to the text. They keep detailed reading journals, read daily and independently for longer periods of time. They learn more strategies for comprehending nonfiction, informational texts and poetry.
In language arts, students utilize the writing process and learn to write in different styles, such as narratives, reports, poetry and persuasive compositions. Much attention is given to accuracy of spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and clear expression of ideas. Students study more complicated grammar and utilize letter patterns to spell independently. Students broaden their vocabulary by creating personal word lists and using dictionaries regularly. They develop research skills by using a variety of texts and the internet to create reports. They are taught how to paraphrase, what plagiarism is and the necessity to site references.
Students develop listening and speaking skills by participating regularly in class discussions and debates. They are expected to support ideas and opinions with other sources and change their ideas when new information is presented. Students give oral reports, read their own compositions and recite poetry. They may also perform short dramatic plays.
They learn to follow more complicated oral instructions and information, and to take more responsibility for their learning by asking questions.