Promoting Literacy Development

Numerous studies have shown that the impact of explicit instruction in the areas of literacy will lead to academic success on a variety of levels for our students today. As a result, it is imperative that we, as a home-school partnership, promote and place a high value on engaging students in reading activities.

At MWS this can and does occur on a variety of levels. From vocabulary-driven word walls such as the one pictured to the right, to planning and implementing balanced literacy activities, to the simple act of promoting reading for pleasure or through Accelerated Reader are just a few of the ways in we work to advance literacy development for all students at MWS.

As students arrive home from school each day, there are a number of ways in which you as families can promote literacy development with your student(s). First, model a love for reading for your student. This can be a somewhat understated, yet powerful tool to encourage student to develop a passion for reading. Second, recognize that an unlimited number of books, magazines, and other literature exists that families can experience. Work to select different texts on a regular basis with your student(s) to discover a genre that he/she may particularly enjoy. Third, engage in casual conversation with your student(s) regarding vocabulary development that may occur naturally in different situations. For example, while traveling in the car from soccer practice through the drive through at a fast food restaurant on your way to piano lessons, select opportunities to expand your student's vocabulary by inserting a few difficult new words into casual conversation and ask students if they know what their meanings are. All are reasonable and simple ways in which you can show your student(s) that literacy matters not only at school, but at home as well.