Language Arts

English – Grammar for Grade 1-4

Cedar Hill Prep School uses a grammar series that emphasizes the link between grammar study and clear, effective writing. It introduces students to a close study of parts of speech and their functions in sentences. Students engage in ample practice exercises that help them absorb the topics and then the review sections help reinforce the concepts.

Reading – Grade 1

Reading goals include word study and phonic skills, building the vocabulary and reading skills. Students are exposed to stories that are fiction, non-fiction and poetry. The guided reading program enables each student to progress at an individual reading level based on their lexile scores.

Writing Skills – Students have a handwriting program that has yearly benchmarks. Students are also introduced to the fundamental writing mechanics and encouraged to write simple paragraphs that include personal narratives, book comments and short poems.

Grade 2 – 3

Reading goals include word study, phonics, spelling and vocabulary skills. Students continue with their guided reading program to improve their fluency and comprehension skills.

Writing – Students are introduced to cursive handwriting. Students work on improving their writing skills that include cross-curricular assignments. This involves writing personal narratives, book reports, poetry and short stories.

Grade 4

Language Arts – Grammar and Usage – Students will use effective strategies for learning new spellings and mis-spelt words, learn spelling rules and patterns, identify word roots, parts of speech. Students also learn to use a thesaurus to extend their vocabulary and choice of words, identify unfamiliar words, explore definitions and use new words in context. Students will further their knowledge and practice in grammar skills.

Reading – Students engage in independent reading activities. Students read and explore fiction of different genres, read and identify characteristics of myths, legends and fables. They will be able to analyze openings and compare the structure of different stories, identify points of view, read and evaluate non-fiction texts for purpose, style, clarity and organization, short stories, plays and poetry. In addition, they will learn to develop note taking skills, and to group and link ideas. As they read and study the above material, students develop thinking, comprehension and communication skills.

Writing – In grade 4, students review, revise and edit writing in order to improve their writing skills. They are made to write new scenes or characters into a story, or write from another viewpoint, write own versions of legends, myths and fables, using structures from reading. Students are encouraged to choose words and phrases carefully to convey feeling and atmosphere and use figurative language to evoke imaginative response.

Writer’s Workshop, Grade 1-4 (Once a Week with a Literacy)

Students in grades 1-4 meet with the Literacy Specialist once a week and partake in the activities given below –

• Read Aloud:read aloud from a selected text, students respond to literature.
• Model and celebrate children’s writing on a weekly basis
• Publish pieces for class sharing, and portfolio
• Read and have poetry discussion based on poem of the week.
• Guided Writing: Children identify grammatical, spelling and structural difficulties throughout a piece, and work to improve writing.Students are tested to determine their reading level and assigned a reading basket that includes a collection of fiction and non-fiction books.
  Writing projects include
  a) “Author Study” at each grade level, personal narratives by each student.
  b) Reading myths, legends and folktales and creating new endings to myths, learning the characteristic of
  myths, legends and folktales, attempt writing original myths.

The writing workshop ends in May with an Authors Tea when students share their original works with the school community.

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