ELA (English Language Arts)

Children learn how to read and write by reading and writing everyday.  Students at PS 307 have many opportunities throughout the day for independent reading which requires selecting books according to their own interests; every classroom has a rich, comprehensive library that includes multiple genres.  They read in small groups, engage in book talks and collaborate in partnerships that strengthen literacy skills.  Everyday our students write in their journals to reflect on their learning.  We use the Teachers College Reading and Writing Curriculum that is aligned with New York State Standards.  

Children in PreK, Kindergarten and first grade learn phonemic awareness, vocabulary, phonics, fluency and comprehension which make up the important components of a 90 minute daily reading block.  Children are taught in whole group, small group and one-on-one.  The Blueprints Curriculum, which includes reading, writing, math, social studies and science, is used to support English language development.

As part of deepening the study of English Language Arts, students in grades 2-5 participate in Socratic Discourse through the Junior Great Books Foundation.  They read classic childrens literature, such as The Story of Wang Li by Elisabeth Coatsworth, The Invisible Child by Tove Jansson and Ooka and The Honest Thief by I. G. Edmonds, prepare discussion notes, and then engage in student-led discussions to hone analytical and critical thinking skills.  This process teaches students how to develop and substantiate a point-on-view based on evidence from the text.  The purpose of this practice is to introduce children to high quality literature, and discuss big ideas and universal messages which are important to the larger process of educating the whole-child.  After discussion of the stories, every child prepares a written essay using information from the story, defending a point-of-view and concluding with their final remarks. The idea of choice is important as students are encouraged to think and speak for themselves in a focused and authentic way.  Teachers receive extensive professional development in how to teach Socratic Discourse, or shared inquiry.