Balanced literacy instruction includes Guided Reading, Writing, Phonics, Word Study, Shared Reading, and more.
Literacy instruction at Emerson includes
the following program components: Phonological awareness; Phonics and word
recognition; Fluency; Spelling and Word Study; Vocabulary; and Comprehension.
These components are taught through a combination of Interactive Read Aloud and
Literacy Discussion; Shared Reading/Performance; Writing about Reading;
Independent Writing; Oral, Visual and Technological Communication; and small
group reading instruction. During small group reading the teacher provides
explicit instruction and support using all of the skills and concepts mentioned
above for reading increasingly challenging texts. At the upper grade levels,
book clubs replace explicit small group instruction for most students.
In addition to direct and explicit
instruction, literacy at The Emerson School is taught and practiced throughout
the day and across the curriculum. The children learn to read, write, speak,
and listen in a variety of settings. During Project work, both in the classroom
and out in the field, students apply reading and writing skills and learn by
listening to experts. In math class, children write about their findings and
thought processes and talk about solving problems. As they sing during music
and create throughout the day, they read along and express themselves. And, as
class meeting participants, students listen to each other and share their ideas
aloud.
Literacy instruction at Emerson includes
the following program components: Phonological awareness; Phonics and word
recognition; Fluency; Spelling and Word Study; Vocabulary; and Comprehension.
These components are taught through a combination of Interactive Read Aloud and
Literacy Discussion; Shared Reading/Performance; Writing about Reading;
Independent Writing; Oral and Visual; and explicit small group reading
instruction. During small group reading the teacher provides explicit
instruction and support using all of the skills and concepts mentioned above
for reading increasingly challenging texts. At the upper grade levels, book
clubs replace explicit small group instruction for most students.
In addition to direct and explicit
instruction, literacy at The Emerson School is taught and practiced throughout
the day and across the curriculum. The children learn to read, write, speak,
and listen in a variety of settings. During Project work, both in the classroom
and out in the field, students apply reading and writing skills and learn by
listening to experts. In math class, children write about their findings and
thought processes and talk about solving problems. As they sing and create,
they read along and express themselves. And, as class meeting participants,
students listen to each other and share their ideas aloud.
A usual literacy day in grades K-3 would include the
following:
- Explicit phonics
instruction using the Heinemann Phonics, Spelling, and Word Study
curriculum: This consists of a whole or small group phonics lesson, followed by
individual/partner activities incorporating the skills and concepts from the
lesson. The teacher will support individual and/or small groups of students as
needed for the activity.
- Explicit direct reading
instruction. This consists of the following components:
- Read with Teacher: small
group, differentiated instruction; the focus is on explicit reading skills and
concepts (e.g. identifying letters and/or letter sounds within words; decoding
new words; reading comprehension; etc.)
- Read to Self: students
independently read books they have chosen (with support from the teacher to
ensure appropriate reading level).
- Literacy Games: these games
reinforce concepts taught in either the phonics lesson and/or differentiated
reading lessons.
- For more advanced
independent readers, book clubs are used. In these, small groups of students
read and discuss a variety of books, with a focus on different comprehension
skills and concepts.
- Daily read alouds: This can
include picture books and/or chapter books.
- Explicit writing
instruction, based on the 6+ Writing Traits. (See below) This may include
explicit instruction of one of the traits and/or extension of previous lessons.
Students work independently, with partners, or with teacher support to writing
in a variety of modes over the course of the year.
