The Shlenker School’s language arts curriculum is child-centered and incorporates best practices in a balanced literacy approach. Our methodology includes shared, guided, and independent reading and writing.  Small group instruction, one on one conferences, and collaboration among students are key components of our program.  Children are actively engaged in reading and writing in all curriculum areas beginning in kindergarten and continuing through fifth grade. In order for Shlenker students to reach their full potential, differentiated instruction is used to ensure success and challenge for all students.

The programs included in our language arts block are research based and foster academic growth, critical and creative thinking, and independence. The Shlenker School embraces the Reading and Writing Workshop models. Children become skilled at selecting appropriate texts (just right books), applying reading skills that strong readers use, and comprehending with depth of understanding. Students read independently or with reading buddies daily. They often work in reading clubs discussing a book they have read. In Writing Workshop children keep writing folders that include writing they are working on and completed writing. Selected pieces are taken through the writing process and brought to publication. Children write every day for a variety of purposes. Our philosophy enables students to make meaningful connections to the real world and become life long readers and writers.  

Some of the school wide components of our language arts program include:

·         Reading Workshop

·         Writing Workshop

·         Vocabulary development through Classical Roots in fourth and fifth grades

·         Scientific Spelling