The emphasis is placed on reading for extended periods of time while increasing the difficulty of the materials read. A variety of of reading materials are available at a wide range of reading levels from which the students select the books that they read. The students journal about the books that they are reading. Listening comprehension activities are practiced over books read to the class. The students are exposed to a variety of genre with an emphasis on Newberry award winners.
Students use various comprehension skills to complete activities over the material presented.
Other types of reading include the oral reading of plays, non-fiction articles, short stories and poetry presented in READ Magazine. Educational Theater - Eduacational Theater is a course that was designed for eighth grade students to enhance their communication skills. The course lasts for twelve weeks, and is in addition to the students' language arts classes. Although speaking skills are the type of communication that is enforced most frequently, listening skills are also a priority. A good audience is an essential ingredient for a speaker.