English Language Arts

Structured Literacy

Structured Literacy is a scientifically researched instructional approach to teaching students to read. It encompasses all of the elements of language and has key principles that guide how it is taught. Put more simply, it is explicit, systematic instruction in the structure of the English language. Research has shown that it is effective for all students and essential for most students.

Guiding Principles:

Explict
Systematic and Cumulative
Multimodal
Diagnostic and Responsive
Multilinguistic

Decodable Texts

Decodable books and text contain words made of letter-sounds, and spelling and morphological patterns (e.g. prefixes & suffixes) that a student has been explicitly taught.

Every classroom at Placentino has their own decodable library, and we are continuing to expand these. Decodable texts are used in student book boxes, as well as in strategy groups facilitated by the teacher.

Early readers need both decodable texts AND texts on topics of interest that they can access.

Phonological Awareness

All PK-2 classrooms are placing an emphasis on phonological awareness using the Heggerty materials. Phonological awareness is the ability to hear, distinguish, and manipulate sounds orally/auditorily- there is no print involved. PA is critical in learning to read and spell proficiently.

In a Phonemic Awareness Lesson…

Main focus is on the phonemes (sounds)
Deals with spoken language
Activities are auditory
Students work with manipulating sounds & sounds in words

Phonics

Every classroom at Placentino follows a scope and sequence for phonics. Phonics instruction is explicit, systematic, and multisensory. Teachers use structured literacy strategies such as orthographic mapping, instruction on syllable types, and word chaining to ensure effective practice of newly taught skills. Students have multiple opportunities for applied practice