Mary McDowell Center for Learning

Language Arts

Curriculum | Reading | Science | Social Studies | Speech & Language | Enrichment

Language arts include writing, speaking and listening. The Center's goal is to help children learn to express themselves effectively and independently both orally and in writing. We also help students develop appropriate listening skills.

Writing
Children engage in writing activities in all curricular areas in different ways throughout the day. Writing is divided into categories which include content, form and mechanics. Teachers use adaptations and accommodations when necessary to facilitate writing.

Content
Content includes the essential elements of written expression:

• Character Development
• Plot
• Setting
• Sequence
• Detail/Description
• Conflict Resolution
• Consideration of Audience
• Purpose
• Facts
• Opinions
• Adequate Information
• Introduction, Body and Closure
• Imagery

Form
Students are exposed to a variety of forms of writing throughout the year. Two important writing activities at the Center are daily journal writing and application of the writing process: drafting, revision, conferencing, editing, and publishing. Listed below are other forms of writing children use at the Center:

• Expository
• Persuasive
• Letter
• Research
• Fiction
• Poetry
• Free
• Procedural
• Book Reports
• Narrative
• Personal Narrative

Mechanics
Mechanics are the specific skills needed to write effectively.

Spelling
Spelling at the Center includes a variety of activities:

• Invented Spelling
• Word Banks
• Personal Dictionaries
• Word Walls
• Word Morphology
• Multi-sensory Display
• Pre-tests and Post-tests

Grammar
Grammar incorporates the study of the following elements:

• Sentence Structure
• Types of Sentences
• Punctuation
• Parts of Speech
• Tense
• Singular/Plural
• Abbreviations
• Capitalization
• Titles
• Paragraph Structure

Handwriting
The development of handwriting skills includes the use of Handwriting PAF (Preventing Academic Failure) for print and PAF for cursive (both left and right handed materials). Among the learning accommodations often used in handwriting are:

• Hand Weights
• Raised line Paper
• Slant Board
• Pencil Grips
• Thick Pencils

Listening and Speaking Skills
Listening and speaking skills are addressed informally and formally in the classroom as well as in whole and small group speech therapy sessions. A Venn diagram is used to demonstrate the inherent link between listening and speaking skills:

Materials
Teachers use a variety of developmentally appropriate materials to meet student needs:

• Spellwell, EPS
• Scientific Spelling
• PAF Workbooks
• Raised Line Paper
• Workbooks
• Children's Literature
• Dictionaries
• Thesauruses
• Teacher-Created Materials

Possible Resources include the following:

• Writing Skills 1 and 2 by Diana Hanbury King
• Writing Workshop Survival Kit by Gary R. Muschla
• Living Between the Lines by Lucy McCormick Calkins
• Invitations by Regie Routman

Technology
Teachers use a variety of technical learning devices:

• Computers
• Alpha Smarts
• Franklin Spellers
• Tape Recorders
• Video Cameras

Assessment
Teachers use a variety of assessment tools to gain information about their students with which to inform instruction:

• Self-reflection
• Pre-tests and post-tests
• Conferences
• Sharing
• Portfolios
• Observation