Language Arts

St. Paul’s reading and English language arts curriculum embraces an integrated approach to literacy while following the Ohio Learning Standards.  Reading, writing, listening, and speaking standards are taught and assessed through interdisciplinary STEAM-based initiatives and project-based learning even at the earliest grade levels.

Classroom teachers collaborate directly with intervention specialists and a reading specialist to continually analyze formative assessment data on a week to week, month to month basis.  In addition to the running records and sample work evidence from the literacy block, students take the STAR Reading diagnostic frequently throughout the year. 

With one designated Language Arts specialist per grade level beginning in 5th grade, students are exposed to a wide variety of non-fiction and fiction texts resources in their pursuit of mastering grade-level standards.  Middle school teachers collaborate with the intervention team to differentiate text levels, modify assessments when appropriate, and scaffold the current project-based learning initiative. Students utilize personalized learning technology programs such as Membean to build vocabulary inside and outside the classroom.