Language Arts:

Language Arts is presented through a highly structured systematic approach to decoding and encoding. Using a defined lesson plan protocol, a rule-based phonetic system is presented allowing for the development of a controlled text. This text is broadened with daily lessons. The use of controlled text allows for the independent development of decoding skills, fluency skills and encoding skills. Overall, this enables access to printed content material, broadening the student’s ability to handle graded material. Further use of these skills allows for the student to develop encoding (writing) skills.

Reading Comprehension:

Following the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for Reading Comprehension, appropriate grade level content is presented through modified lessons which allow the students to access the material. Various genres are utilized including short stories, chapter books, poetry and plays. Short stories also allow for the presentation of myths, folk tales and non-fiction. Biographies and autobiographies are presented through chapter books.

Overall, the content is presented in a structured lesson format directed toward linguistic processing of the content, retrieval of the factual information, organization of the facts and ‘mapping’ the content to assist memory and comprehension. Content is also used to enhance written language skills through use of paragraph templates, ultimately formatting a composition.