How often have you experienced your child hop out of bed in the morning invigorated by the prospect of going to school? The secret: what is waiting for them is real work, authentic challenges and complex projects that are important to them. Think of maple sugaring, Harvest Feast and rocket building. These landmarks in our year represent the sweet spot of a Randolph education, where the rubber meets the road- living and learning are interconnected.

Reading is at the heart of learning. If we want children to pursue their passions and steer their own inquiries we must first make sure they have the tools they will need to decode texts, and increasingly, media as well. Similar to our approach to math, we prioritize daily, small group instruction that utilizes a carefully selected curriculum backed by the Science of Reading. Using a scope and sequence that is proven to build strong literacy skills means that teachers can focus their energy and attention on assessing each child and making sure the content of the lessons appropriately matches each child’s needs. It’s a delicate dance that our teachers are skilled in performing. 

Once a child has moved through our phonics program they are ready to apply their skills as they read to learn. Book Groups are an opportunity for young readers to meet with their peers to enjoy literature, develop comprehension strategies and begin to solidify their identity as a reader. Books are chosen to address specific curricular touchstones and allow children the opportunity to consider diverse perspectives, learn about different time periods and geographic regions and expand their own concept of identity. At the end of the day we want to prepare the fertile ground where a love of reading can blossom.