Reading & Literature, Writing, Mechanics

		Integrated pre-writing and reading skills developed through Montessori technique, guided reading units, Zoo Phonics. Tactile, auditory, and visual methods of instruction encourage fine motor, spatial and tracking skills. Language development through dictated or written stories, word boxes and story and word rich environment.
	k-1	Integrated reading/writing program. Guided reading & thematic core literature, writing workshop, Sitton word study. Phonics, spelling patterns, compound words, contractions, word families. Sentence structure, dictionary skills, handwriting. Story element, pattern and rhythm, vocabulary extension. Listening, sequencing, prediction, classification, analysis, organization, writing process.
	2nd	Integrated reading/writing program. Guided reading & thematic core literature, writing workshop, Sitton word study. Wright Group Sourcebook and Daybook. Emphasis is on continued development of grammatical understanding and usage, vocabulary and word relationship, phonics, structural analysis, context, and comprehension. Sentence structure is further strengthened as students move into the development of paragraph and paper construction. Advancement through the writing genres (biography and autobiography, friendly and business letters, expository essay and research, creative narrative and poetry) is accomplished through developmentally considered practice at each grade level. Skills in reading to acquire knowledge are strengthened through practice in core subject matter (science, math, history) and through core literature selected to enhance understanding of people and their cultures, historically and geographically. Literature genres, author voice, audience, and purpose bind together understanding of spoken and written word. Practice in reading and writing is incorporated into all subject areas.
	3rd
	4th
	5th
	6th	Middle School Humanities courses are designed to maintain the integrated foundation established in Elementary, while moving toward departmentalization. While specialized reading, writing, and communication skills are emphasized all curricular areas, a particular synthesis is considered with social studies. Six Humanities language skills development, through word study, writers’ workshop and core literature, is project motivated in conjunction with studies Ancient Civilization. Sitton, Daybook, and Sourcebook are continued.
	7th	Sitton, Daybook, Sourcebook and Vocabulary Energizers. Core literature chosen to enhance and support studies in world cultures. Developmentally determined practice in all writing genres. Comprehension focused on informational material. Development of skills in critique and analysis. Greek and Latin word components.
	8th	Sitton, Daybook, Sourcebook and Vocabulary Energizers. Core literature chosen to enhance and support understanding of American history and culture and to introduce notable American authors. Developmentally determined practice in all writing genres. Comprehension focused on informational material. Development of skills in critique and analysis. Greek and Latin word components.