Our English curriculum builds strong foundational skills in reading and in writing in order to prepare students to read great works of literature with critical understanding, to recognize truth and beauty in written text, and to participate in analytical discussions verbally and in writing. Our elementary students develop skills in researching a topic and in written and oral presentation.

 

 

Reading Instruction

Lower school students learn to read in the early grades through an intensive phonics program that hones skills in decoding and spelling and that promotes rapid progress in reading fluency. Students learn how to critically analyze what they read, searching for cause and effect in stories, connecting and comparing texts, and determining the author’s perspective.

 

Classic Literature

Lower School students read, analyze, discuss, and write about classic works of children’s literature and other great texts and stories. Nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and traditional children’s stories are featured in Kindergarten and First Grade classrooms.  Our students become familiar with Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology and classic children’s literature.  Many of the texts are studied in conjunction with related topics being presented in other areas of the curriculum, such as History and Science.

 

Grammar

Grammar and Usage, Vocabulary, Spelling, and Handwriting/Cursive writing are explicitly taught. Students progress from understanding simple sentence structure in early grades to diagramming more complex sentences in the later grades.

 

Writing

From rough draft through revision and production of a final document, all phases of writing are learned by students. The study of Grammar, Spelling, Vocabulary, and classic literary works contribute to the students’ mastery of the writing process.

 

Oral Presentation

Lower School students receive instruction and support to gain skill in preparing and presenting oral reports.