ELA (English Language Arts)

PS54143.jpg picture by jenrose76Starting in the early grades, students develop literacy skills by studying letters, sounds and words.  Writing is an integral skill that we emphasize across all content areas in order for students to practice organizing and sequencing thoughts, with the expectation that their observations and details will become more refined as they move up the grades.  Students read and study multiple genres—non-fiction, poetry, realistic fiction, fairytales, persuasive writing, personal narrative, expert writing-- in order to gain a deeper understanding of the many types of literature, but also discover their own interests which can lead to continued reading in specific subject areas.

 In the upper grades, students learn how authors use literary devices such as simile and metaphor, evaluation of content for relevant information, study what techniques and writing decisions make for effective language, and they learn how to review and edit their own writing.