English and Language Arts
The English/Language Arts Department is structured around the philosophy of Lucy Calkins, founder of the Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University. The philosophy highlights the idea of Balanced Literacy through a workshop model. All three grade levels have adopted various Units of Study that serve as the curriculum. These Units include both writing and reading and focus on an array of genres in both categories. The workshop approach allows for a teacher-instructed mini lesson followed by independent student work. The mini-lesson includes the teaching point for the day, modeled writing or interactive read aloud using a mentor text, an opportunity for students to turn and talk, and the “forever” link. This approach also allows for one-on-one and small group guidance within a homogenous classroom setting.