Reading begins with an awareness of the concepts of print and the sounds and structure of language. Students acquire a strong foundation in phonetic principles in the primary grades. Students will use independent reading strategies to read fluently and with comprehension. Students study the structure of words and language throughout all grades. Frequent interaction with a broad array of quality literature will engage the reading skills of students and invite them to develop an appreciation for the power and beauty of the written word.
Writing begins with letter formation.
Students become increasingly aware of the structure of language and improve written communication through frequent opportunities to apply narrative, persuasive, and expository skills. Daily reading, writing, and oral language experiences are essential for all students. A combination of teacher-guided reading experiences and student reading choices is necessary in helping students develop a lifelong reading habit and an appreciation for literature. Developing this appreciation is a process that should be emphasized at every grade level. Research standards also are developed across grade levels.