Language arts is at the heart of children's learning. Since it is central to a child's intellectual, social and emotional development, language learning permeates our curriculum. Identified within the language arts curriculum are the four components of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Through the language program the children explore the power and beauty of literature and develop the skills to become critical listeners, readers and writers by learning to express themselves with confidence and clarity. The students use language to communicate effectively, accurately and appropriately. They read picture books, folk tales, novels, poetry, biographies and factual books. They learn to make connections to the text and to the characters, while learning to read to locate specific information and developing a love of literature. They learn to read and read to learn.
In the Junior School, writing is a tool used to explore students' learning. Writing is taught at a developmentally appropriate level for each child, and students are encouraged to express their thoughts, knowledge, creativity and voice through writing. In the early years, students are encouraged to use inventive spelling, and as they learn the conventions of writing, to use their knowledge of letter-sound correspondence, spelling patterns and new vocabulary to write. Through our multi-dimensional writing program, the Junior School students learn many strategies as they write for many purposes. Students learn the conventions of written language as they work through the writing process of planning, drafting, refining, conferring and publishing. They write in varied text forms such as reports, narratives, poetry, biographies, folk and fairy tales, journals, letters and recipes, among others.