Oaklawn
Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School
Literacy
Writing is an integral part of the balance literacy approach. The research based approach of ELLA, Step Up To Writing, McRat, and Effective Literacy combined ensures an effective curriculum. Students write across the curriculum daily using various genres'. Students begin writing in kindergarten and continue through fifth grade. The writings are assed using standard based rubrics. Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts provides opportunities for assessment four times per year through District generated writing prompts. Ongoing instructions are provided for remediation and growth. The fine arts and technology departments also enhance writing their curriculums.
For reading, students are grouped during the literacy block based on assessments to develop skills and strategies for reading. The ELLA approach is used for kindergarten through second grade and third grade through fifth build on skills for reading using Effective Literacy, McRat, Step Up To Writing, and Accelerated Reader. Accelerated Reader is also introduced in kindergarten through second grade as determined by Star Testing. Reading Focus teachers provide enrichment for above grade level students twice a week. These specialists also work with identified At-risk students in an effort to raise skill levels.
Kindergarten
Recognizing and naming letters, rhyming, counting syllables, recognizing simple
words, and hearing many books read. Practice writing upper and lowercase letters
using simple words and phonetic spelling. Practice oral language through the
recitation of rhymes, songs and poetry.
First Grade
Increase reading competency through letter sound relationships, word patterns,
sight vocabulary and comprehension strategies. Write for a specific purpose
using correct capitalization, punctuation, spacing and expression of complete
thoughts. Create, revise and perform songs, writings, stories, poems and plays.
Compare and contrast works and solve daily problems.
Second Grade
Using the ELLA (Early Literacy Learning in Arkansas) approach they will learn
word attack skills, improve reading fluency and expressive reading. Literature
will be infused with the arts and artists. They will learn about story elements,
compare and contrast plots and characters, rewrite and retell story endings.
Students will write in journals, write friendly letters, and report on simple
topics using facts and details.
Third Grade
Become proficient readers through the use of a variety of reading strategies,
techniques and genres. Listening and speaking skills will be strengthened
through the integration of the visual and performing arts and daily language
experiences. They will gain usable knowledge of basic language concepts needed
for written communication. Written communication will include sentence
structure, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, spelling and pride of
penmanship.
Fourth Grade
Great examples of literature, drama, poetry, song, biography, and non-fiction,
which form the core of the literacy program while giving students material,
style, and ideas to comprehend, evaluate, and respond to works of literature to
reflect their own speaking and writing. Students will employ a wide range of
strategies as they write and use different writing process elements. Ability
grouped centers are utilized to provide small group skill focused learning.
Fifth Grade
Engage in daily reading, developing fluency with vocabulary acquisition and
ongoing opportunities to work on decoding and pronunciation. Clarifying,
questioning, summarizing, and predicting will be emphasized. Writing assignments
will include journal entries, letters, paragraphs, essays, theatre or arts
reviews, poems, etc. Students will perform oral presentations, such as report
and research presentations, debates, poetry, singing, drama rehearsals, and
performances.