Language Arts

Reading begins when children realize that the printed word carries meaning and continues as children appreciate, understand, learn from, and analyze printed materials. Children read both for pleasure and to gain knowledge. Through an integrated reading-writing-speaking process approach, children learn to communicate with greater accuracy and proficiency. Grammar and spelling are taught and integrated into all subject areas. Increased comprehension, vocabulary, critical reading skills and an understanding of literary elements are developed along with a love of reading. Creative and expository writing activities encourage students to stretch their abilities and their independence.

Kindergarten

Reading

• Alphabet sequencing
• Rhyming
• Phonemic awareness, letter/sound recognition
• Word families
• Decoding
• Building sight vocabulary
• Language Experience charts
• Independent reading

Writing

• Page orientation
• Upper and lower case letters
• Letter, word, sentence recognition
• Handwriting books
• Creative sentence writing
• Creative telling of a story

Grade 1

Reading

• For children just beginning to read:
  • Methods used depend somewhat on the individual child’s needs
  • Decoding, along with meaning and understanding of content
• For children who have started reading
  • Add enjoyment and comprehension to decoding skills
  • Add fluency and expression to oral reading
  • Reading as a tool to gain new information about the world
• For children reading above grade level
  • Advanced skill development, research projects, read for pleasure
  • Bring new information to classmates

Writing

• Organization and sequencing in creative and factual writing
• Card writing
• Personal dictionaries
• Personal journals

Spelling

• All two letter words
• Sound out words that contain short vowels
• Begin to spell words with long vowel sounds
• Begin to hear consonant blends and diagraphs

Grade 2

Reading

• A variety of children’s literature books fosters reading enjoyment
• Independent and shared reading of trade books
• Effective reading strategies

Writing

• Writing Process (brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing, publishing)
• Fiction, poetry, accounts of personal experience
• Letters, thank-you notes
• Research papers
• Log entries
• Writing organization

Spelling

• Weekly word lists
• Utility words (when, where, why, etc.)
• Phonics
• Individual dictionaries

Grade 3

Reading

• Word identification – context, phonics, word structure
• Comprehension – literal, implied, evaluative
• Literary understanding and appreciation
  • Characters, setting, plot
  • Types of literature
  • Techniques and elements of style
• Independent and shared reading of trade books
• Index, glossary, table of contents
• Encyclopedia use

Writing

• Sentences
• Paragraphs – topic sentence and supporting details
• Narrative and descriptive writing
• Letters, thank-you notes
• Research paper
• Creative writing
• Writing organization

Grammar

• Subjects, predicates
• Proper and common names
• Verbs
• Personal and indefinite pronouns
• Singular and plural nouns
• Verb form of “to be”
• Simple verb forms

Spelling

• Spelling dictation
• Phonics
• Dictionary use – alphabetical order, guide words, entry words, definitions

Handwriting –D’Nealian handwriting

Vocabulary

• Words through poetry, spelling, dictionary skills, word games

Listening and Speaking

• Circle sharing
• Poetry recitations
• Discussions of academic work
• Play-acting and performances before large audiences

Grade 4

Reading

• Trade books
• Supplementary reading (fiction, biography, mystery, sports, myths, legends, science)

Writing

• Sentences
• Paragraphs – main idea, topic sentence, supporting details
• Poetry
• Free Writing
• Spelling stories
• Composition
• Report Writing
• Dialogue
• Letter writing
• Writing across the curriculum

Grammar

• Sentences – types, structures, parts
• Nouns – singular, plural, common, proper, possessive
• Pronouns
• Verbs
• Adjectives – concept, definition, comparison
• Adverbs
• Usage and mechanics

Spelling

• Word lists
• Consonants, vowels with r, consonant diagraphs, vowel diagraphs, dipthongs, plurals, possessives, contractions, prefixes, compounds, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms

Handwriting

• Correct letter formation
• Template, art work, copy exercises
• Neatness and form

Vocabulary

• Synonyms, antonyms
• Root words, prefixes, suffixes
• Context clues
• Word derivations (Greek / Roman)

Listening and Speaking – integrated fully into the student’s life

Grade 5

Reading

• Trade books
• Thematic Reading

Writing

• Writing Process (pre-writing, revising, editing, publishing)
• Paragraphs, descriptive, persuasive, journals, poetry, stories, photo essays, stories, letters, research

Grammar

• Sentences – types, subject and predicate, fragments, run-ons, combining
• Nouns and pronouns – recognition, singular, plural, possessive
• Verbs – subject-verb agreement, verb tense, helping verbs, linking verbs, irregular verbs, negatives
• Adjectives, Adverbs, Prepositions –recognition, kinds, comparisons
• Direct Objects
• Usage and mechanics
  • Capitalization
  • Punctuation – end marks, comma uses, quotation marks, hyphens

Spelling

• Word lists
• Application of phonics, root words, frequently misspelled words

Handwriting

• Correct letter formation
• Template, art work, copy exercises
• Neatness and form

Vocabulary

• Synonyms, antonyms
• Root words, prefixes, suffixes, homophones
• Interpreting idioms, figures of speech
• Word analogies

Listening and Speaking – integrated fully into the student’s academic life

Grade 6

• Reading
  • Novels, biographies, short stories, poetry, articles, student’s work
• Writing
  • Poetry
  • Short stories
  • Speeches
  • Research reports
  • Plays and skits
  • Letters
• Grammar
  • Eight parts of speech
  • Correct punctuation and capitalization
  • Sentence structure
  • Functions of words in a sentence
  • Pronoun use – subject and object pronouns, possessive, relative, demonstrative, and interrogative
• Vocabulary
  • Current reading materials
• Listening and Speaking – integrated fully into the student’s academic life

Grade 7

The class incorporates language arts and literature. The students have a formal study of vocabulary based on roots and affixes. The language arts program develops writing skills, grammar, vocabulary, spelling, analogies, listening, and speaking. The students read a variety of literature for exposure, appreciation, and critical reading development. Literature readings include poetry, plays, short stories, essays, novels, and mythology.

• Reading – reads, interprets, and analyzes a variety of literature
• Grammar – applies knowledge of grammar, usuage, and other writing conventions to ensure reader’s understanding
• Writing – develops writing style using a variety of writing techniques
• Vocabulary – applies strategies to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes
• Listening – uses listening and viewing strategies in a variety of situations to gain information and understanding
• Speaking – communicates with different audiences for a variety of purposes

Grade 8

The class is divided into the study of language arts and literature. Students engage in close readings of a variety of poetry, short stories, plays, and novels to gain both an understanding and appreciation of literary works. Students’ writing skills are developed through the study of grammar and vocabulary and through frequent assignments in creative and analytical writing.

• Grammar – mastery of correct punctuation, word usage, and sentence structure
• Writing – writer’s workshop, poetry, research papers, essays, journals
• Vocabulary – in literature and poetry
• Listening – uses listening and viewing strategies in a variety of situations to gain information and understanding
• Speaking – defend positions on bills presented at Model Congress