Our Benchmark program for Phonics is a word study program that focuses on students recognizing sounds and patterns in order to decode (read) and encode (spell). Spelling assessments will be given weekly, with a list of words with the pattern coming home in a Phonics Family Letter. Inside the copy of the Phonics Family Letter are ways for parents and family members to better understand the skill that we are working on and practice with additional activities at home.

In addition to our time reading together and individually in school, your student will be encouraged to read 15-20 minutes at home after school to help strengthen their fluency. Even listening to a skilled reader read out loud and following along is tremendously helpful in training their eyes and ears to follow a text. It is not a homework requirement but the results that stem from this activity go a long way during the school year!

This year's writing pieces will include an informational text, a personal narrative, and an opinion piece.