Literacy

Balanced literacy instruction includes Guided Reading, Writing, Phonics, Word Study, Shared Reading, and more.

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 learning, 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.

Literacy instruction includes the following curriculum components: Interactive Read Aloud and Literacy Discussion; Shared Reading/Performance; Writing about Reading; Writing; Oral, Visual and Technological Communication; Phonics, Spelling and Word Study; and Guided Reading. During Guided Reading students read a teacher-selected text in a small group. The teacher provides explicit teaching and support for reading increasingly challenging texts. At the upper grade levels, Book Clubs replace Guided Reading instruction.