Reading-readiness is taught in small, flexible groupings through a multi-sensory curriculum that focuses on phonics, sight word-acquisition, and a variety of language experiences. The program includes the regular use of emergent readers, literature, poetry, chart stories, storytelling, and individualized journal writing. As topics are explored, students have opportunities to contribute to class-created books. They also dictate their ideas and stories to the classroom teachers and draw accompanying pictures.
Literacy centers allow students to participate in a variety of hands-on, self-directed activities and developmental learning games, which are designed to reinforce and enhance their beginning reading, spelling, and writing skills.
Kindergarten students also participate in the Writers' Workshop program weekly. The goal of the program is for children to write what they know by selecting topics that are personally meaningful and relevant to them. Through focused mini-lessons and individual conferences with the teacher, students enhance their craft as early writers and become independent authors of a variety of literary pieces. The children are encouraged to share their writings with their classmates so as to gain experience in communicating their personal experiences and ideas in a sequential and interesting format.
