English Language Arts

The English Language Arts Program in Salem at the early grades focuses on providing students high-quality instruction to ensure the prevention of potential reading difficulties. Competencies include word identification skills, including fluent and accurate word identification while reading in context, comprehension, spelling and writing. From Grades 4-8, literacy focuses on student aptitude with reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and presenting within the English Language Arts and across all of the content areas, e.g., mathematics, social studies, science. The major components of the program are as follows:

·         Reading and responding

Students read, comprehend and respond in individual, literal, critical, and evaluative ways to literary, informational and persuasive texts in multimedia formats.

·         Exploring and Responding to Literature

Students read and respond to classical and contemporary texts from many cultures and literary periods.

·         Communicating with Others

Students produce written, oral and visual texts to express, develop and substantiate ideas and experiences.

·         Applying English Language Conventions

Students apply the conventions of Standard English in oral, written and visual communication.