FIRST and
SECOnd Grades
The balanced literacy program in first and second grades
consists of guided and independent reading and writing,
and word study.
Reading: Students
are taught both decoding and comprehension strategies
to become lifelong readers. Students participate in
small and large groups and read new, familiar, easy,
and challenging texts. Students read with teachers,
parent volunteers, and with each other. Students study
story formats as well as events, plot, and character.
Word Study: High
frequency-use words and spelling patterns are introduced.
Writing: Emphasis
is placed on expressing ideas in writing and illustration.
Through the writing process, students are introduced
to and practice story structure, revising, editing,
parts of speech, and beginning punctuation.
THIRD Grade
Reading: Students
transition from “learning to read” to “reading
to learn.” They review and increase their usage
of 100 of the most frequently used words, review
and learn more about spelling patterns and spelling
rules. Strategies for word decoding and comprehension
are taught through a literature-based curriculum
(novels, poestry, non-fiction, Cinderella stories
from around the world, and biographies).
Writing: The
curriculum emphasizes clarity, fluency, content, and
writing mechanics across a variety of genres. The
research process is introduced as well as the continuation
of cursive handwriting.
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FOURth
Grade
Reading: The
literature-based curriculum develops the skills of
inferring, comparing, contrasting, and drawing conclusions.
Students
in fourth grade are supported as they learn to read
for understanding in literature and non-fiction while
learning to use a variety of research materials.
Writing: The
emphasis is placed on clarity, fluency, content, and
writing mechanics, using a variety of formats. Students
consistently use cursive handwriting while proofreading
and editing skills are reinforced.
FIFTH Grade
Reading: Students
learn through a rich literature based reading curriculum
that includes Hundred Dresses,
Morning Girl, Pedro’s Journal, My Brother Sam is Dead, George
Washington’s Socks. Independent reading selections
from assigned genres and monthly book projects.
Writing: Students
work
on the mastery of cursive handwriting, writing mechanics, spelling, editing,
and vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on all aspects of
the research process including note-taking, outlining,
composing, peer-editing, and publishing final drafts.
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