English & Reading (K-5)
The goal of the K-5 Braintree English Language Arts Curriculum is to develop and refine the skills needed for individual students to become highly effective readers, critical thinkers, and communicators. The Braintree Public School system is committed to research-based, comprehensive literacy instruction. Our approach includes explicit instruction of the six foundational components of reading which include phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and written expression.
Contact Us
Dr. MaryEllen Janeiro
Director of English and Reading
Julie O’Halloran
Administrative Assistant
781 848-4000 X7015
Danielle Romeo
Literacy Coordinator 781 380-0240
The Key Components of Reading Defined:
Phonological and Phonemic Awareness: Phonological awareness is made up of a group of skills. Examples include being able to identify words that rhyme, counting the number of syllables in a name, recognizing alliteration, segmenting a sentence into words, and identifying the syllables in a word. The most sophisticated — and last to develop — is called phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness is the ability to notice, think about, and work with the individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. Manipulating the sounds in words includes blending, stretching, or otherwise changing words.
Phonics: Phonics involves matching the sounds of spoken English with individual letters or groups of letters. For example, the sound k can be spelled as c, k, ck or ch. Teaching children to blend the sounds of letters together helps them decode unfamiliar or unknown words by sounding them out.
Vocabulary: Vocabulary refers to words that we must know to communicate and understand. Oral vocabulary refers to words used when speaking and listening. Reading vocabulary refers to words that are used and recognized in print.
https://www.readingrockets.org/literacy-home/reading-101-guide-parents/reading-basics/vocabulary
Fluency: Fluency refers to the ability to read accurately and smoothly. This includes the automatic recognition of words, and the ability to group words to gain meaning from what is read. Fluent readers read aloud without effort and with expression. Reading sounds natural, as though speaking.
https://www.readingrockets.org/literacy-home/reading-101-guide-parents/reading-basics/fluency
Comprehension: Comprehension refers to the ability to read text, process it, and make meaning from it.
https://www.readingrockets.org/literacy-home/reading-101-guide-parents/reading-basics/comprehension
Written Expression: Written expression is the translation of thoughts and ideas into writing using complex cognitive operations.
https://www.readingrockets.org/literacy-home/reading-101-guide-parents/writing-basics