The experience of real literature is central to the program. Students are exposed to the best of children's literature including folk tales, fables, historical selections, and contemporary classics. Students use reading comprehension strategies before, during and after actual reading time to help them reach higher levels of reading independence. Through the Open Court Program, students learn that writing is a process which includes a series of activities. Through integrating the reading and writing processes, students see the relationships between these areas.
Students also learn the skills of language mechanics.
Language usage and grammar are taught and practiced with each reading lesson. Students learn to apply these skills to their own writing. By integrating reading, writing and language skills, students are able to recognize and use all aspects of language with the goal of becoming independent readers, writers and thinkers.