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All Language Arts curriculum taught at Mountainville Academy is research developed and backed to ensure its effectiveness in teaching skills that prepare students to study and master the finer points of the English language, including grammar, writing, spelling, and reading. We use the following programs to ensure a complete Language Arts program:
Reading Mastery
Reading Mastery is used in grades K-5. It is a phonics-based reading program that teaches decoding skills, phonemic awareness, comprehension and fluency through the use of Direct Instruction. The program is explicit in its instruction and utilizes built-in assessment strategies to monitor the progress of students. Reading Mastery is listed by IDA and Schwab Learning as a reading program that is research-based and effective with children who experience learning difficulties. The Direct Instruction method is proven to be a highly effective method of instruction, thus other DI programs will be favored to supplement the overall academic program.
Shurley English
Shurley English is utilized in grades K-8. It is a research-based grammar program that uses multi-sensory techniques to teach the elements and structure of the English language in both verbal and written context. Students learn to identify and use nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, etc. and apply what they have learned to construct sentences and write paragraphs and essays using proper morphology and grammar. The program provides concrete steps in sequential instruction and utilizes teacher-student interaction to achieve proven results with all students, even academically struggling/second language students. Assessment is built in to the program and old concepts are used continually with the introduction of new concepts to reinforce retention.
Spelling Mastery
Spelling Mastery is used in grades K-5.
Handwriting Without Tears
Handwriting Without Tears is used in grades K-5.
Step Up To Writing
Step Up To Writing is used in grades 7 and 8. It is a multi-sensory, research-based organizational program that teaches explicit writing strategies within the writing process (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, final copy, proofreading, sharing) to help students organize and write in a logical order, expand and support their statements, and write cohesive multi-paragraph pieces. The program is used primarily for informational, expository writing.
The Write Source
The Write Source is used in grades 1-8. It is a research-proven writing program that helps students learn the writing process in a more in-depth manner. This program teaches the six traits of writing, which are: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and convention (editing). The Write Source breaks down the writing process into clear and organized instruction for students to be able to understand and create descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive pieces of writing as well as teaching them skills to be used for research writing, note taking, and oral presentations. |
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