Our reading and writing curriculum is flexibly designed to develop a love of reading and of language, as well as the ability to meaningfully use language for self-expression, communication and investigation. Children are taught increasingly complex skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and are challenged to develop, build upon and hone those skills by applying them within the context of each curricular subject.
On a typical day at CDS, reading and writing activities might include:
- preschoolers looking at a book on hummingbirds as they study and learn about pollinators
- a third grade literature group reading Because of Winn Dixie and collaboratively creating a descriptive poster to share with the class
- a fifth grader doing computer research for a report on ethnobotany
- eighth graders discussing ideas for a school literary journal
- listening to stories read aloud and dictating their own stories
- looking at books sequentially
- developing phonetic awareness
- understanding sound/symbol correspondence
- beginning to identify and write letters and basic vocabulary
- shared and guided reading and developmental spelling
- sustained silent reading, spelling, beginning grammar and D’Nealian print
- reading for knowledge, word analysis, sharing information orally and writing journals
- analyzing character development, keyboarding and book report writing
- interpreting meaning, summarizing information, and writing complex reports
- expanding word analysis and vocabulary, desktop management and writing narratives
- advanced reading comprehension and writing short fiction
- analyzing story structure, expanding grammar proficiency and writing research papers
- writing poetry and critiques, publishing journalism pieces and making oral presentations