Literacy / English
We prepare students to express their own ideas effectively, and to interpret, understand and question the ideas presented by others. We want our students to be independently motivated and proficient in reading, writing, listening and speaking, and we hope to instill a sense of empathy.
For the youngest students, Literacy, which includes spoken language as well as reading and writing, is integrated into each area of the curriculum. For students in grades 2-6, two class periods each day are spent on a well-rounded approach to the teaching of reading, writing, spelling, grammar, speaking and listening skills.
Students in grades 7-8 have one period of English daily; they read a wide variety of classic and contemporary works supported by grammar and vocabulary study. Writing assignments include poems, formal analytical and research papers, and creative compositions. We hope students will develop an appreciation for the words and ideas we use in expressing our humanity.