READING & WRITING

Reading and writing are taught at McClelland in kindergarten through fourth grade using a workshop framework based on active engagement. In addition to phonemic awareness and phonics and grammar instruction, reading and writing lessons include a balance of whole-class, small-group, one-on-one instruction, and independent practice. Students learn to build comprehension and critical thinking skills in narrative, informational and opinion genres through learning progressions. Lower school students are assessed in comprehension, mechanics and fluency three times yearly in order to monitor growth and target individual learning needs.

In our lower school, teachers use a combination of explicit instruction and guided practice to build fine motor and penmanship skills. We introduce cursive in second grade and keyboarding in third grade. Studies show that visual-motor skills, such as hand-eye coordination, are associated with academic achievement. Scientists have also found that developing fine motor skills in early childhood can predict not only writing success but better performance in reading and math in elementary school.