Language Arts

Language is a gift from God, who has chosen to reveal himself through the written word. The acquisition of solid reading skills is a primary focus of our Lower School program as such skills lay the foundation for academic success in all subjects as well as open the door to a lifetime of reading pleasure. The Language Arts program in the Lower School includes a number of disciplines—reading, spelling, vocabulary, writing, handwriting, grammar, literature, and public speaking—essential for the students’ ongoing learning experience. In the earliest grades, our students are taught to decode and read for understanding using SRA Open Court, the nation’s foremost reading program. Featuring a strong, systematic phonics approach, the program integrates reading, spelling, and vocabulary to facilitate the students' language acquisition.

 

 

Guided Reading and the Study of Literature

Guided reading stresses reading with comprehension from the earliest grades, while individually-leveled reading books and daily read-aloud time invite the students to enjoy the richness of classic children’s literature. In the higher elementary grades, the study of literature, vocabulary-building, and writing skills take on added importance. Critical thinking skills are developed as students read across the curriculum, with books linked to the history, science, mathematics and fine arts curricula.