Literacy

On this page, you will find more information about our Balanced Literacy Program! The components of the “workshop” model, and how First Grade teaches reading, writing and spelling is described below. There will also be some helpful links that may help with your child’s literacy learning at the end of this page.

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Literacy consists of both writing and reading, which are not isolated in a single period during the day.  They permeate into almost all aspects of our day in first grade.  The program focuses on developing skills in decoding words, reading comprehension, inquiry, phonics, spelling, grammar, mechanics, writing, study skills, and literary appreciation.

Literacy instruction occurs in the following ways:

*Reading Workshop*

The idea behind Reading Workshop is to provide explicit instruction via a mini-lesson, and then allow students to independently practice their skills using authentic texts.  Students are free to explore different authors and genres and learn more about themselves as readers.

The Reading Workshop block includes a short mini lesson on a reading skill or strategy, a 20-30 minute independent reading block in which students use the newly taught skill, and a 5-10 minute sharing.

While engaged in their reading, I am able to conference with individual readers and also meet with small groups for guided reading and book clubs.

*Guided Reading*

Guided Reading is the perhaps the most significant portion of our daily reading instruction.  During Guided Reading, I meet with small groups of students.  We focus on a particular reading skill or strategy and read a book that is instructionally appropriate.

*Read Aloud*

Students are exposed to wonderful literature when they are read books that are above their own independent reading level. Students hear rich language and vocabulary and have opportunities to make predictions, inferences, and share ideas as they listen.  Sometimes students will respond to these readings through writing.

*Word Study*

Beyond learning to read by using authentic texts, student’s phonemic awareness is developed using explicit phonics instruction.  As a whole class, we explore consonants, long and short vowels sounds, digraphs, and word families.  Spelling instruction is most effective when it meets each child’s individual spelling needs.  First grade students have a range of spelling capabilities, and this range is a healthy part of their normal development.  For this reason, the first grade utilizes differentiated instruction as the foundation for word study and spelling instruction.  Using a program called Words Their Way, students meet in differentiated small-groups and participate in activities that involve sorting words based on similar features.  By meeting in differentiated groupings, students are continually able to practice spelling patterns and features appropriate for their current stage of development.  It is most effective for me to teach spelling strategies in this way.

*Shared Reading*

Morning messages, poetry, and curriculum-related big books provide students with a chance to read chorally.  These opportunities build student’s reading skills while also building confidence, as students can read aloud without the pressure of reading alone.

*Writers Workshop*

Writer’s Workshop begins with a mini-lesson.  These short 10-15 minute lessons focus on topic choice, organization, elaboration, revision and editing strategies, and anything else that seems to be a student need.  Students then work independently, writing in a variety of genres.  While working independently, students receive further instruction via teacher one-on-one conferences and small group strategy groups.  At certain points, students will choose favorite pieces for publication.  These works will be revised, edited, and then put into book form.

*Poetry*

Poetry serves as an excellent way for students to develop phonemic awareness and recognize sight words.  One poem will be introduced each week.  Each student will be given a copy of the poems we complete in class in their poetry journal.  Students will often be given the assignment of reading and illustrating the latest poem for homework.  Later in the year, poetry homework may involve some written responses.