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Literacy Program
The literacy program at Amsterdam is a comprehensive program. In accordance with the District K-4 Literacy Curriculum, its components include shared reading, guided reading, writers workshop, phonics, spelling, and grammar. For reading, grades1 through 4 use literature and trade books.
Grades 1-4 Literacy Curriculum Highlights:
- Shared Reading: whole-class instruction using the same text
- Guided Reading: small group instruction, usually with students at the same reading level
- Independent Reading: sustained individual reading in books of students own choosing
- Writers Workshop: daily writing period which includes a mini-lesson, sustained writing, and sharing
- Foundations: direct instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, and handwriting
- Daily Grammar Program: daily grammar lessons
Academic SupportInstruction
Academic Support Instruction (ASI) is not a separate program, but one in which the academic support teacher reinforces what is being taught in class. The program is available to students in grades 1-4 who are working below grade level in the areas of reading and/or writing. The academic support teacher primarily works with the neediest readers and writers in the class. Academic support instruction can last up to 60 minutes, depending on the grade level and is typically an in-class support program. However, there are times when the academic support teacher may take a group of students to another location for instruction.
Intervention
At Amsterdam School, there is a variety of intervention programs available for students. Intervention is for students in the academic support program who need additional reinforcement in a small pull-out class. A brief description of these classes at Amsterdam follows:
- Kindergarten Literacy Intervention
The program reinforces reading readiness skills needed by students to enable them to learn to read in Grade 1. Skills reinforced include phonemic awareness, letter recognition, sound recognition, letter formation, and writing.
Grade 1 Literacy Intervention
This program reinforces phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, spelling,
letter formation, and writing.
Grades 2 and 3 Literacy Intervention
This program reinforces decoding skills, fluency, spelling, letter formation, and writing.
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