Welcome to the Language Arts Home Page
Goals for all students reflect the importance of a “thinking” literacy curriculum that actively engages the minds of students in problem-solving situations, thus preparing them for the challenges of tomorrow. The curriculum is designed as a continuum from kindergarten to grade three. It is based on child development theory and reflects a range of skills that are needed for all learners to successfully move through the steps to eventually achieve the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for the benchmark year (grade 3). It is also reflective of the guidelines set forth by the U. S. Department of Education, National Reading Panel. Colonial School District’s curriculum is built on the principles of a comprehensive, balanced approach to literacy incorporating the reading and writing approaches of modeled, shared, interactive, guided and independent. It provides opportunities for teachers to guide, encourage and challenge students as they progress towards becoming successful, self-regulated learners. Towards this end, the Language Arts curriculum articulates the following goals for all students:
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Help readers understand how letters are linked to sounds to form letter-sound correspondences (Phonics) and to help them learn how to apply this knowledge and the use of spelling patterns in their reading and writing.
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Foster language and literacy growth in all students as readers, writers, listeners and speakers.
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Assist students in acquiring strategies (e.g., select relevant facts, see relationships within and across related areas, organize knowledge to meet specific goals, etc.) that will enable them to meet the demands in our present technological society.
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Develop students’ comprehension, reasoning, judgment and decision-making by using a variety of strategies.
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Support students in acquiring the ability to see and understand relationships between reading, writing, and spelling knowledge.
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Deepen students’ appreciation of literature through consistent access to rich literature read to, with and by students.
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Assist students in acquiring fluency so they may read with adequate speed, accuracy and proper expression in order enhance comprehension.