Our Reading and Language Arts program is built on the principles of Balanced Literacy. A Balanced Literacy approach incorporates the following practices:

• Reading to, with and by students through read aloud, modeled writing, shared, guided, and independent reading and writing experiences
• Connecting reading and writing
• Sharing quality literature and non-fiction
• Supporting readers with challenging text
• Matching readers to appropriate text
• Modeling decoding strategies and comprehension strategies
• Modeling thinking strategies and writing strategies
• Integrating reading, writing, listening, and speaking (Nations and Alonso)

Integral to everything we do is teaching for understanding. Balanced Literacy draws on current research and practice to provide learners the balance of skills, strategies, materials, and social and emotional support needed to help them become critical thinkers, independent problem-solvers, self-monitors and goal setters.