Reading Tips For Home
Overview of Language Arts Curriculum
Fluency

animation of a boy flipping pages in a book animation of a girl flipping pages of a book animation of a girl flipping pages of a book animation of a boy flipping a book animation of a girl flipping pages of a book

FROM THE BES LANGUAGE ARTS DEPOT

Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Reading Specialist


Frederick County Public Schools provides our elementary schools with a framework for teaching Language Arts skills. We have a clear curriculum with grade level expectations for grades PreK to 5. Our instruction prepares students for the challenges of their future education. We utilize a variety of instructional methods, materials, and assessments.

 

We strive to use a balance of “TO”, “WITH”, and “BY”: reading to students, reading with students, reading by students, writing to students, writing with students and writing by students. Our classes use a balance of literacy opportunities…..
TO------------ read aloud, demonstration writing
image of a man reading to children
WITH---------shared reading and writing, guided reading, interactive writing
BY------------ literature circles, reader’s workshop, writer’s workshop, independent reading, and independent writing.

 

COMPREHENSION

Text understanding
Meaningful connections
Constructing meaning

"Reading is the process of constructing meaning through the dynamic interaction among: the reader’s existing knowledge, the information suggested in the written language, and the context of the reading situation.” From the FCPS “A Guide To The Elementary Language Arts Essential Curriculum”

We strive to have students understand the text they read. Our goal is to create a learner with the lifelong skill of literacy. Students are instructed in skills for phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, word decoding, sight vocabulary, reading fluency including phrasing- intonation- rate- accuracy, vocabulary, and comprehension.

image of student reading with picture overhead


 

COMMUNICATION

Communication in written form requires an effective use of ideas, organization, sentence fluency, word choice, voice and conventions. These six traits guide students’ writing. Students also learn the steps of the process of extended writing: notes/organizers, first draft, editing, revising, and a final copy. Student portfolios are maintained to demonstrate progress throughout the year.

 
If you have questions about your child’s language arts program, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or myself, the reading specialist. -------------Karen Fitzpatrick 240-236-2917 or karen.fitzpatrick@fcps.org

Comments and suggestions are welcome, send email to webmaster [melissa.dirks@fcps.org].
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