Literacy

Reading and writing are at the heart of the Lower Division experience. Our literacy program builds strong foundations in the science of reading and grows into advanced comprehension, analysis, and writing skills as students move through the grades.

In kindergarten and Grade 1, there is a strong emphasis on phonics and phonemic awareness. We utilize the IMSE/Orton-Gillingham approach, which equips students with the decoding skills needed for accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. This multi-sensory approach to teaching literacy that research demonstrates is effective for readers of all skill levels and abilities.These foundational skills ensure that students become confident, independent readers.

Kindergarten and first grade also use the Being a Reader curriculum (Collaborative Classroom), which blends reading instruction with community building. Units include:

  • Classroom Community – developing identity as readers and learners
  • Making Connections in Nonfiction, fiction and poetry
  • Retelling Nonfiction, Fiction and Poetry
  • Visualizing Across Genres
  • Wondering in Nonfiction, Fiction and Poetry
  • Using Text Features in nonfiction and across genres

As students progress through Grade 2 and beyond, the focus shifts to deep comprehension and meaning-making. Students refine their fluency, develop stamina, and begin to analyze texts more critically, moving beyond decoding toward interpretation and discussion.

  • In Grades 2 and 4, once students are consistently reading above a Fountas and Pinnel Reading Level J or Developmental Reading Assessment level 18/20,they transition into higher-level reading work that emphasizes fluency, comprehension, vocabulary development, and higher-order thinking skills.
  • They begin to explore text structure, theme, character analysis, and author’s craft, with increasing independence and sophistication.

In Grades 3 and 4, students also begin formal work with morphology through IMSE’s Morphology program. Morphology is the study of word parts — prefixes, suffixes, and roots — and how they combine to form meaning. This instruction gives students powerful tools to unlock unfamiliar words, strengthen vocabulary, and deepen comprehension. By learning how language is constructed, students gain the ability to approach complex texts with confidence and precision.

Grades 2–4: Students focus on comprehension strategies such as questioning, inferring, synthesizing, and analyzing structure. Vocabulary growth and text-based discussion are central.

Grade 4: Units include Water Conservation (nonfiction), Nonfiction Text Features and Structures, Brown Girl Dreaming (memoir), Islands of the Blue Dolphins (realistic fiction), and Historical Fiction Book Clubs.

Handwriting K-4

  • Handwriting Without Tears helps students build essential skills for emergent writing and handwriting success. It fosters writing automaticity through direct, explicit instruction along with guided and independent practice. It also incorporates multi-sensory components to appeal to all learning styles.
  • Keyboarding Without Tears begins in Grade 3, helping students build foundational typing skills for digital fluency.