Language Arts K-6

In the primary grades, teachers provide explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics.  As students progress, they learn and apply increasingly complex spelling patterns in reading and writing.  In the final stages of development, students focus on morphology and vocabulary as they learn to analyze word structure and use context clues to determine word meaning.  

Reader’s Workshop is an instructional model for teaching reading that is part of the overall structure of a balanced program. Reader's Workshop develops essential reading skills, while also fostering a love of reading.  At the primary level, decodable texts, Big Books, leveled texts, and authentic literature are used to build an essential foundation of reading skills.  At the intermediate level, students read and learn about a variety of genres, including full-length trade books and nonfiction selections.  Students learn and grow through various instructional contexts including teacher modeling, mini-lessons, small group instruction, book clubs, partnerships, and independent reading.  Attention is given to each student’s level of reading development while guiding him/her along the pathway to further growth as a strategic reader. 

Writer’s Workshop is similar to Reader’s Workshop in many ways.  This instructional model includes the following:

·      Teacher modeling of his/her thought process to demonstrate the writing process

·      Use of mentor text to illustrate particular elements of writing

·      Regular and sustained periods of time for writing

·      Providing students with choice, responsibility, and the strategies needed to become independent, lifelong writers

·      Providing students with the opportunity to reflect upon their writing and discuss their growth with others