KINDERGARTEN (Aged 3 – 6 years old)

English

The elementary school language arts program uses a balanced approach to literacy and is guided by the.  American Core Standards California State Curriculum  (ACCS)   for English Language. Teachers encourage children to become enthusiastic about reading and writing and speaking. As students proceed through the Lower School, their understanding of literature and nonfiction is developed and enhanced through their own experiences. All of the uses of language—listening, speaking, reading, writing—are interrelated and mutually supportive. Consequently, classroom instruction involves children in large and small groups, and in individual activities that emphasize the integration of all language processes.

Reading

At SAIS, we aim for our students to develop ability to read fluently and independently and to apply the skills they are taught in reading for pleasure as well as for information. The strategies we teach encourage students to think about their reading and to become strategic readers who look for understanding in what they read and hear.

Phonological awareness and phonics instruction are integral parts of the reading program in the early grades. Phonics are taught with consistency and fidelity through the ACCS program. Children learn to apply these skills in their reading and writing.

Student responses to texts are a central part of the reading program, whether in writing, by drawing, or in a discussion with teachers and other students. The various elements of fiction and nonfiction texts such as setting, characterization, plot, problem and solution, and nonfiction text features are introduced as the students progress through the grades. Students learn to interpret information using strategies, such as paraphrasing and retelling.

In all grades, teachers read aloud to students and encourage them to read independently. Each grade level has an extensive range of books available in the classroom, including poetry, realistic fiction, fantasy, series books, theme-related books and more sophisticated choices as the students progress through the School. In addition, the School Library is used extensively; students of all ages are encouraged to borrow a variety of materials that interest them.

Writing

The development of writing skills is an integral part of the lower school curriculum at all levels. We approach to help students develop fluency and build confidence in writing. Students in every grade level are exposed to the genres of narrative, informational, and opinion/argument. Beginning with a mini-lesson using examples from the genre being studied, the teacher models a writing skill or strategy, and then involves the children in practicing the skill before the children write their own pieces. Students are taken through drafting, revising, editing and often producing a final copy. They have many opportunities during each day to write in a variety of genres and across all subject areas. Teachers confer with individuals and small groups, helping with the revision and editing process, listening to and evaluating pieces students have written, and providing feedback. Skills such as spelling, usage and grammar are then taught in the context of students’ writing.

Speaking and Listening

Foundations of literacy; story workshop; oral language development; phonics, spelling, capitalization, print concepts, expanding reading comprehension and writing skills; historical fiction, memoir, expository, research, vocabulary, grammar.