The language arts program in the mixed grade resource room classrooms addresses several different language-based areas. It includes instruction in phonemic awareness and spelling using the Orton-Gillingham approach, which incorporates multi-sensory techniques and strategies. Writing is taught using a combination of the Empowering Writers program, Orton-Gillingham Approach, and teacher-made materials. Elements of both narrative and expository writing are taught in grades 2, 3, and 4 with the foundations of sentence writing and paragraph writing as the focus. Students will be instructed in "what a good sentence needs" which will include parts of a sentence, parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs), and sentence expanders. Students will also learn basic paragraph structure and apply the writing process to develop simple, complete paragraphs. Reading focuses on the application of decoding skills as well as text analysis. The goal in my classroom is to provide opportunities for creative freedom as well as direct, multi-sensory instruction in all of these areas.    

Both the general education classes and special education classes receive instruction following prescribed Language Arts Units. These well-thought-out units have been developed to create a structured, rich curriculum.* Social Studies is integrated into each grade level's Language Arts Units. The objectives for each unit of study are based on the NJ Learning Standards. My goal is to tie aspects of these units into my instruction so that the children can be exposed to the content of their grade level curriculum yet receive the needed lessons and reinforcement necessary to build their reading, writing, and speaking skills. 

*Parents may see the language arts curriculum for each grade level on our school website.