Reading, Writing, and Spelling
At the Winchester School, we understand the importance of helping our students to become successful readers, writers, and spellers.
Grades K-6: For students in these grades, our language arts program is Houghton Mifflin Reading. For more than fifty years, Houghton Mifflin has been helping children across the nation become successful readers. This scientifically research-based reading program is built around rich, authentic literature and powerful, step-by-step instruction that lets students experience success starting on day one. With built-in resources for meeting individual needs—including hundreds of leveled books and powerful intervention programs—Houghton Mifflin Reading ensures that no child is left behind. For more information about this program, and for a variety of family activities and resources that support this program, click on Education Place.
Grades 7 & 8: In 7th and 8th grade our language arts program is based on The Language of Literature published by McDougal Littell. This program gives students the opportunity to interact with the selections in the anthology, analyze what they read, and enjoy the experiences that great literature has to offer. A variety of skills and strategies "bookend" each selection to support students before and after they read and help them connect to the literature. Critical reading, writing, and thinking strategies are interwoven throughout the text to help students build comprehension and develop their writing skills. Students learn how to analyze literature from a number of genres, interpret a variety of literary themes, and apply the analyses to their own experiences. A variety of student and family resources that support this program can be found at ClassZone 7 for 7th graders, or ClassZone 8 for 8th graders.