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READING/LANGUAGE ARTS at All Saints Lower School
The Reading/Language Arts program in Lower School utilizes the MacMillan Spotlight on Literacy Language Arts Series. The curriculum is designed to develop and to maintain skills necessary for language functions in reading, writing and speaking. Cursive handwriting is introduced in the First Grade. Literature is studied at all grade levels. Creative writing, a special feature of the Lower School, begins in the First Grade and continues through Fourth Grade. Highlights of each grade level are listed below.
First Grade: A high interest, multi-level, literature rich approach to language learning encourages independent readers through the use of phonics, spelling, grammar, writing, listening, and speaking activities. A "take home book" program in which students read at home nightly, then to their teacher the next day, helps develop reading practice, and makes an important home-to-school connection. Cursive handwriting is introduced in order to facilitate fluent expression of thought. Creative writing journals enable the writing of simple sentences and/or short stories. In the spring, an oral book report is presented by each child giving the student an early opportunity for speaking in front of a group.
Second Grade: Students continue to develop and perfect their language, reading, and writing skills. Poetic forms and basic literary styles are introduced. Students alternate weekly poetry memorization with oral book reports. Students are required to read beginning chapter books throughout the year. A journal is kept by each student to enhance the creative writing process. An appreciation of classic literature is developed through the study of several works by E.B. White and Beverly Cleary.
Third Grade: Reading and Language Arts skills are further developed and refined. While reading well-known novels, students combine research reports, creative writing, characterizations, art activities, and drama to experience the many aspects of building literacy.
Fourth Grade: Students read complete texts of varied literary genre. Interpretation of the literature is shared through discussion groups, writing, drama, and related projects. The exposure to a wide range of authors and poets, writing styles and topics allows each student to discover or experience the endless possibilities of the abiding joy of reading. Process writing (brainstorming to publishing) adds a challenge for students as they learn research and organizational skills in preparation for writing a research paper. The paper is related to the science project required of all fourth graders.
JUNIOR GREAT BOOKS: The Second, Third and Fourth Grades participate in the Junior Great Books series, a structured discussion of outstanding literature. The series combines a shared inquiry approach with interpretive activities to help all students learn to read for meaning and think critically.
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