English Literacy Department
The focus of The International School English Literacy program is to develop students’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills appropriate to grade level and maturity. Our English program is designed with the recognition that each child has his or her own time frame for successfully transferring literacy skills from one language to another. In other words, we have a normal range of children in a unique learning environment, an environment that asks us to have patience while nurturing the growth of English language competencies.
- See PORTRAITS OF READERS at different developmental stages
- See PORTRAITS OF WRITERS at different developmental stages
Family Support of English Literacy Development
We encourage parents to support their children’s English literacy development as illustrated in the ‘Family Support Pages.’ These pages correspond with the developmental stages in the reading and writing continuums and give concrete examples of how to help your child with both reading and writing as your child progresses through the developmental continuum. In addition, we welcome and encourage parents to volunteer in the English classroom and to participate in the special English Department events.
- See Family Support ideas for Pre-conventional through Expanding readers (approx ages 3-9)
- See Family Support ideas for Bridging through Independent readers (approx ages 8 and up)
- See Family Support ideas for Pre-conventional through Beginning writers (approx. ages 3-8)
- See Family Support ideas for Expanding through Independent writers (approx ages 7 and up)
Curriculum Content Standards in Literacy
The English Literacy Grade Level Standards are a series of benchmarks detailing what students should know and be able to do at the end of every academic year; they are based upon Oregon Statewide Educational Standards. With these Standards in mind, our English instructional program guides students while addressing individual learning needs. This instruction takes the form of reading and writing workshops and instructional modalities such as guided reading, shared reading, independent reading, literature circles, and process writing, to name a few. In addition, phonics instruction, vocabulary work, spelling, grammar, and penmanship are components of instruction.
Schedule of Assessments
The English Literacy Department will use a comprehensive series of assessments, ongoing throughout the school year. These will document our students’ progress, and underline their needs. One assessment we will use throughout the year is the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing.
English Literacy Department – Special Events
Check the school calendar for dates and times of these curriculum enrichment events sponsored by The International School English Department:
- Reading in Your Pajamas Day celebrates readers of all ages. Parents, special friends, and children of all ages get cozy and read together.
- Run for the Arts is a fundraising “run-a-thon” which pays for students to see plays that we study in class.
- The Literacy Fair engages students in interactive games and presentations put on by each English class.
- The Scholastic Book Fair provides a great way to fill your shelves for summer reading while raising money for the school library.
