Reading and Writing

We believe both reading and writing lead to opportunities for academic growth, self-discovery, adventure, and reflection. The goal for our students is to become strategic, motivated, and lifelong readers and writers who are confident in their skills and are able to explore and express their ideas, views, voice, and life experience.

We use a balanced literacy approach to meet the varied and evolving needs of our students. Utilizing high-quality literature and a variety of genres, we provide whole class, flexible small groups and individual instruction. Students learn decoding, comprehension and critical thinking skills through multiple literacy experiences. These include interactive read alouds, reading workshop, guided reading groups, independent reading, literacy centers, readers theater, phonics activities, word walls, reading response journals, and literature circles, among others. We view reading as a process where students' ideas are shared and developed through active and responsive listening, discussion, writing, and reflection. 

Our reading instruction accepts and values multiple perspectives to foster critical thinking.  Because we honor students' different strengths, interests and experiences, we build on what they know and love. We provide and allow students to choose from texts they can relate to and learn from, and employ a variety of texts that represent our students' diversity. 

Writing instruction begins in PK, with children delving right into "kid writing," including understanding that a story has a beginning, middle and end, and incorporating letters and sounds that they know. Kindergarteners use invented and conventional spelling to share moments from their lives in and out of school, and at year's end, share a published book with their loved ones. Our 1st graders explore different genres such as poetry, persuasive and expository writing; 2nd and 3rd graders learn to draft and revise, give and receive feedback, and finally publish their finished work, culminating in frequent writers celebrations; 4th graders learn to write the traditional 5 paragraph essay, incorporating quotes and citations from their research. The writing program offers a robust and challenging arc, which prepare our younger students for the middle school program.

Through on-going assessment, teachers identify each student's needs and explicitly model strategies and skills. In addition, students learn to monitor their individual progress in order to become self-reflective and responsible for their own reading and writing development. As a collaborative, reflective and supportive teaching community, we continually revisit and adjust our practices in accordance with our philosophy to best meet our students' needs.