Elementary Language Arts
Philosophy
Reading has traditionally been separated from writing, while grammar, usage, spelling and vocabulary are often isolated and taught as separate subjects.
The Altoona Area School District's elementary language arts program stresses the interrelationships of the language processes of reading, writing, listening, and speaking, each of which is enhanced by use of the others.
The Pennsylvania Comprehensive Reading Plan II (PCRP II) provides the guidelines upon which the Elementary Language Arts Program is built.
"Experiences" mean the language events in which students participate at school and which affect their learning outside of school as well.
The five critical experiences are:
- Reading: Transacting with Text
- Writing: Composing Texts
- Extending Reading and Writing
- Investigating Language
- Learning to Learn
Goals
- Appreciate and respond to a variety of literary works.
- Develop and apply reading comprehension strategies to monitor and improve understanding.
- Build a robust vocabulary through direct instruction and language experiences.
- Master decoding strategies like phonics in context.
- Engage with literary works beyond the basal program.
- View writing as a process for clarifying thought, from pre-writing to evaluation.
- Apply the conventions of the English language, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Strengthen oral communication skills through speaking activities.
- Employ higher-order thinking skills through both oral and written responses.
- Become a strategic reader who can assess and monitor personal progress.