English Language Arts K-5
Director of Reading and ELA K-5: Nancy Coppolino
|Fitzgerald||Wendy Darcy; Sabina Steede|
|MacArthur||Maureen Ryan; Elizabeth Uccello|
|Northeast||Judith Araujo; Jennifer Gershon; Jeanne Marois|
|Plympton||Carla Uzzell; Yvonne Gunzburger; Jeanne Marois|
|Stanley||Heather Cummings; Robin Fopiano|
Literacy provides the foundation for lifelong learning. The Waltham Public Schools Elementary Reading/ELA curriculum is based on the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. Our curriculum maps target skills in phonics, fluency, comprehension, word study and writing.
Classrooms focus on different types of reading and writing experiences, some of which include; Guided Reading, Literature Circles, Writers' Workshop, Interactive Read Alouds, phonics, and independent reading and writing with use of the Daily Five management system. Each of our elementary schools has a literacy closet with a wide range of multi-level books including various themes and genres. This literacy closet is the core of our Guided Reading and small group instruction.
Each elementary school has licensed reading specialists who support students in need of additional targeted instruction specifically during grade-level intervention blocks. In addition, literacy coaches in each building provide ongoing embedded professional development and support teachers in all aspects of literacy instruction.
"The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go." Dr. Seuss