The comprehensive Grade 1 language arts program concentrates on developing oral and written skills for communication. Children are grouped according to their abilities through teacher recommendations and an informal reading inventory in September. The grouping is flexible and children may move into or out of a group as necessary. A basal text and teacher-made enrichment tasks are tailored for the abilities within each group. Children are encouraged to engage in outside reading as soon as possible.
Individual projects related to book reports encourage independent reading.
Both the phonetic and the sight word approach help children gain mastery of the written word. Frequent dictations reinforce mastery of phonetic skills. Varied comprehension exercises are used to help the children understand characterization, setting and problems that occur in stories. Children begin a formalized spelling program at this level. Weekly spelling lists, with additional words such as the days of the week, help the children with their daily written expression.