Questions about Literacy at Proctor
- What is Project Read?
- What are literacy blocks?
- What happens during the literacy block?
- What happens during language and word study lesson time?
- What happens in reading workshop?
- What happens in writing workshop?
- How can I learn about the literacy curriculum at my child's grade level?
- Where can I get a copy of the English/Language Arts Benchmarks?
What is Project Read?
Project Read is a systematic, multi-sensory phonics and word analysis
program taught in grades 1-5 across the Northborough schools. Weekly
spelling lists for each grade level are based on the Project Read
curriculum. Some teachers have weekly spelling lists posted on their
websites.
What are literacy blocks?
Literacy Blocks are uninterrupted blocks of time in the school day when
reading, writing and spelling instruction occur. Each grade level has a
continuous hour and a half block of time every day to devote to literacy.
Specialists teachers in reading, special education, speech and occupational
therapy schedule time to work individually or in small groups during these
blocks.
What happens during the literacy block?
The Literacy Block is divided into three broad areas: Language and Word
Study, Reading Workshop and Writing Workshop.
What happens during language and word study lesson time?
Language and Word study lessons give children time to practice the
listening, speaking, reading, writing and spelling skills needed for school
success. Skills include phonics, spelling, handwriting and
vocabulary instruction. Teachers may also read aloud to students at this
time or have students practice reading aloud to each other.
What happens in reading workshop?
Reading workshop includes time for guided reading, independent reading and
literature study. During guided reading lessons, teachers bring together
small groups of students with similar learning profiles to work on
developing specific skills and strategies. Students continue to work on
developing their decoding and comprehension strategies during independent
reading time. At this time, students read silently and respond to books of
their own choosing. Teachers conference with students individually, helping
them to set goals for improvement. Literature study lessons allow small
groups of children with different
skill sets to come together to discuss the literary elements of a book with
teacher guidance.
What happens in writing workshop?
Writing Workshop includes time for guided writing and independent writing.
Guided writing lessons involve small group instruction of particular writing
skills. Independent writing is when students work on drafting, revising,
editing and publishing their writing projects.
How can I learn about the literacy curriculum at my child's grade level?
The literacy curriculum at each grade from K-5 is based upon the curriculum
framework for English/Language Arts put forth by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. The state framework gives broad guidelines for instruction
through the elementary school years. The Northborough and Southborough
school districts have written English/Language Arts Benchmarks that outline
the specific skills and strategies for reading, spelling, handwriting and
composition that are taught at each grade level.
Where can I get a copy of the English/Language Arts Benchmarks?
Copies of the Northborough/Southborough English/Language Arts Benchmarks are
available in the Proctor School Library. The benchmarks are also available
on the district's web page: www.nsboro.k12.ma.us
