List of 10 items.

• Pre-kindergarten

  The pre-kindergarten program exposes students to many pre-reading skills. Using engaging and multi-sensory strategies, teachers lead students in learning letter sounds and names. The children enjoy using this knowledge to associate words with particular sounds and letters. Through songs, pictures, body motions, and read-alouds, the students learn to explore books independently and with their classmates. Working one-on-one, teachers assess students' pre-reading skills and select activities that will help them grow as a reader. This exploration helps children develop their phonemic awareness and love of books.

• Kindergarten

  As students emerge as readers, the kindergarten reading and writing program emphasizes supporting students in their particular developmental reading level. Our approach to teaching reading balances direct phonics instruction while building a foundation for a lifelong love of reading. All kindergarten teachers are trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and explicitly teach phonics patterns following a phonics sequence. In addition, we devote time to developing reading comprehension skills while exposing students to a wide range of genres and books. Kindergarten classroom libraries are a mix of decodable books and more interesting picture and chapter books. Using the Writing Workshop model, teachers work with students in group and one-on-one settings to support each student's growth. While learning how to form letters, space words on the page, and write sentences, kindergartners publish their first book. Students are encouraged to tell their stories and to notice the words and rhythms authors use to write stories, returning to their work and adding details such as picture labels and titles, kindergarten writers learn early on that revision is part of the writing process. Students experience a wide range of mentor texts, including fictional stories, informative works, and opinion pieces.

• First Grade

  First graders continue to develop their abilities in phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Our approach to teaching reading balances direct phonics instruction while building a lifelong love of reading. All first grade teachers are trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and explicitly teach phonics patterns following a phonics sequence. In addition, we devote time to building reading comprehension skills while exposing students to books from a wide range of genres and cultures. We engage students through activities such as partner reading, readers' theatre, independent reading, and group discussions. Students continue to develop their handwriting as well. As writers, first graders continue to work in the Writing Workshop model, learning grammatical constructions as they author original pieces in genres such as opinion, information, and narrative. Students learn the formal writing process to develop their pieces. They begin with brainstorming, then produce drafts that are edited and revised, and finally published as final works.

• Second Grade

  Building on work in kindergarten and first grades, students refine reading skills and focus on higher-order comprehension such as making inferences and drawing conclusions. All second grade teachers are trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and explicitly teach phonics patterns following a phonics sequence. In addition, we devote time to growing reading comprehension skills while continuing to nourish a love of literature through exposure to books from a wide range of genres and cultures. Comprehension is enhanced through class discussion and written responses to literature. Students begin to notice author's craft by exploring the patterns in books in a series and the elements of mystery writing. Both the book series and mystery units are often favorites, especially when readers get hooked by a series and can't wait to pick up the next book. In Writing Workshop, students study mentor texts in a variety of genres and create a yearlong portfolio of their own work. Students compose personal narratives, fictional stories, persuasive essays, poetry, and research reports. As part of the writing process, second graders study and apply grammar and punctuation. Expanding vocabulary is a focus in both reading and writing throughout the year.

• Third Grade

  Third graders explore a variety of genres, including historical fiction, mysteries, nonfiction, and the hero's journey. Students now transition from learning to read to reading to learn, though we continue to teach phonics patterns and syllable patterns while emphasizing spelling. They read and compare several books within a genre, looking for patterns and deeper meaning. The goal is that each reader finds a book or series that is hard to put down. Third graders make observations about a character or story and back them up with text evidence. Students read independently, with partners, and in book clubs, often using sticky notes to mark important passages to share during discussions. They also write responses in their readers' notebooks. By reading books with the eye of a writer, students improve reading comprehension and writing skills. While reading nonfiction, third graders write nonfiction reports with a clear main idea and supporting details. After reading fairy tales and fractured fairy tales, students write their own fairy tale twists. In addition, they write personal narratives, expository pieces, persuasive writing, and poetry. Students gather ideas, write first drafts, revise, edit, and publish several pieces throughout the year. They work one-on-one with the teacher and in peer-editing groups to revise and edit their work. Students learn to incorporate feedback into their final drafts and learn to provide constructive feedback to peers. Studying grammar and punctuation is an important part of the writing process. Third graders continue to work on conventional spelling and building vocabulary by focusing their word study on syllables, prefixes, suffixes, and base words. 

• Fourth Grade

  Fourth graders read novels representing a diversity of characters and settings, genres, themes, and literary techniques. They respond to reading through group discussions, oral presentations, and writing in their reader's notebook. Notebooks include letters to their teachers about both their independent reading and their book club reading. The goal is to form ideas about the reading supported by evidence from the text. In addition to formal letters, reader's notebooks contain notes about thoughts, strategies, ideas, and observations about the text to bring to class or partner discussion. A highlight of fourth grade reading is performing a play based on either a book read during class or a myth connected to ancient cultures. Students frequently create props or write additional scenes for the plays. Students read literature from various genres, including personal narrative, expository writing, persuasive writing, fiction, and poetry. Using the Writer's Workshop model, students work one-on-one with the teacher and in peer-editing groups to revise and edit their work. They learn to incorporate feedback into their final drafts and learn to provide constructive feedback to peers. Grammar and mechanics are addressed through stand-alone lessons covering editing and revision work. Prefixes, suffixes, base words, and syllables are the foundation of word study. Students also continue to practice keyboarding and post at least one written work using a laptop. Fourth grade readers and writers develop a heightened awareness of the choices authors make and the craft of writing.

• Fifth Grade

  Transitioning to Middle School, fifth graders build on the skills they have developed from the Lower School. Students continue to develop their close reading of texts, annotation skills, and participation in group discussions. Additionally, they focus on building their stamina as readers. The study of literature focuses around particular thematic issues including prejudice, perseverance, and justice. Students engage in group discussions using the School’s online Learning Management System, and continue to develop their writing skills through peer editing, one-on-one teacher conferences, and refining their own editing process. Students also continue to explore new genres of writing, and build on skills and content developed in the lower school program.

• Sixth Grade

  In sixth grade, students address questions like, “How does literature bring its readers to a deeper and more complex understanding of the world?” Students read a wide variety of genres written for young adult readers. Selections range from fantasy to historical fiction; through class discussions and seminars, students engage the texts through multiple lenses. The writing program in sixth grade encourages students to reflect on different types of writing and apply the appropriate form to the correct audience. Students write frequently, with assignments ranging from the personal narrative to informational and persuasive pieces. Through mini-lessons and one-on-one conferences, students continue to refine and develop their understanding and application of grammar. Poetry Day, an opportunity to perform is a highlight of the year for the entire Norwood community.

• Seventh Grade

  In seventh grade English class, students approach their study of literature through a thematic perspective, asking questions like, "Why do all societies need storytellers?" and "How does reading and writing about people from many cultural backgrounds help us to gain a better understanding of the world around us?"How do individuals preserve their cultural identity and find their voices in society?” Students learn to read texts closely and critically, analyze information, and craft creative responses to their reading. Among other texts, seventh graders read two dystopian texts The Giver and The Last Cuentista. Teachers guide students in discussions of themes and issues. Using a diverse selection of texts, including short stories, students demonstrate their learning through a variety of projects and assessments, including literary analysis, poetry, and letter writing.

• Eighth Grade

  Similar to seventh grade, eighth grade English approaches the study of literature thematically. Exploring diverse voices of the 20th and 21^st centuries, students read novels, essays, plays, short stories, nonfiction, and poems, such as Pride, Maus, and All American Boys, using each work to develop close reading and discussion skills. Writing instruction encourages grammatical precision integrated into the students' writing process of planning, drafting, and revising their work. During the course of their eighth-grade year, students write essays, reflections, and summaries, and create power point presentations and story maps to demonstrate understanding of their reading.