We believe reading is a key component of successful education.  To achieve maximum reading success and to instill a love of reading, we combine several programs.

The Scott Foresman’s reading program for K through 2^nd grades   provides the foundation for our early elementary reading program. The program provides material to achieve the following objectives:

• Thinking skills

• The ability to read with comprehension, appreciation, and discernment

• Grammar and standard usage mechanics

• A well developed speaking, writing and reading vocabulary

• Strong spelling skills

• Research skills

• Public speaking skills

• Listening and study skills

Most important of all, it encourages the use of God’s gift of language in ways that build up or edify.

Scott Foresman’s has a strong phonics base that enables our students to become proficient readers at an early age.  The materials work to give our Pre-K through 2^nd graders a thorough, enjoyable, and highly teachable approach to reading.  Besides building the necessary background for confident readying, this phonics program trains students to listen carefully and develop good habits of thinking, analyzing, organizing, memorizing and applying important facts and rules.

After the foundation for reading is well established, St. Michael Lutheran School concentrates on nurturing the love of reading.  Beginning with the 2nd grade, we also use a curriculum that utilizes trade and chapter books as its base.    Books are selected to promote the love of reading and to coordinate with the history and/or science lessons creating an integrated curriculum. 

Additionally, our upper grades include literature and grammar components both of which incorporate writing. The entire school uses 6+1 Writing Traits and the John Collins writing format.

DEAR Time

Starting with first grade each class has DEAR (Drop Every Thing And Read) Time daily. 

Library

St. Michael Lutheran School offers a library the students visit weekly. Our collection of children’s favorites is literature rich and encourages a love of reading. 

Writing

SMLS utilizes the John Collins writing format from kindergarten through 8th grade.

Handwriting

St. Michael Lutheran School utilizes the Handwriting Without Tears Program.  It is the only developmentally based handwriting program on the market today. Handwriting without Tears is being used starting in preschool to teach printing.  The first graders see cursive along with print in the spelling program.  Students start writing in cursive in second grade.

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