As a CMS school, Eastover follows the Balanced Literacy Model for our literacy program. Balanced Literacy places equal emphasis on the four components of literacy: guided reading, independent reading, word work and writing.
During reader's workshop, the teacher starts with a 10 - 15 minute mini-lesson. The children then start reading self-selected books that are on their level. While the students are reading independently, the teacher has the chance to pull small groups of students who need a little more help on particular strategies. The teacher will also conference with the students during this block in order to determine individual needs, as well as to help move the students to the next level. Throughout the year, the students will also take part in book clubs, where they will work with a small group of students to read and discuss a book of their own choosing.
Throughout the year, the students are exposed to the different genres of reading through the teacher's read aloud. Through the read aloud the teacher also models good reading strategies and provides the students with thought provoking questions to encourage higher level thinking.
During the word work portion of Balanced Literacy, the teachers use Words Our Way. At the beginning of the school year, each student is given a spelling inventory, to determine which spelling patterns he/she has internalized. Based on the results of the inventory, students work on spelling patterns that are appropriate for their independent level.
Writing will be incorporated into all subjects. The three areas of focus for writing are argumentative, narrative and expository.
During reader's workshop, the teacher starts with a 10 - 15 minute mini-lesson. The children then start reading self-selected books that are on their level. While the students are reading independently, the teacher has the chance to pull small groups of students who need a little more help on particular strategies. The teacher will also conference with the students during this block in order to determine individual needs, as well as to help move the students to the next level. Throughout the year, the students will also take part in book clubs, where they will work with a small group of students to read and discuss a book of their own choosing.
Throughout the year, the students are exposed to the different genres of reading through the teacher's read aloud. Through the read aloud the teacher also models good reading strategies and provides the students with thought provoking questions to encourage higher level thinking.
During the word work portion of Balanced Literacy, the teachers use Words Our Way. At the beginning of the school year, each student is given a spelling inventory, to determine which spelling patterns he/she has internalized. Based on the results of the inventory, students work on spelling patterns that are appropriate for their independent level.
Writing will be incorporated into all subjects. The three areas of focus for writing are argumentative, narrative and expository.