Elementary School Overview

The Emergent Reader at St. Stephen's

The Early Childhood Educators and Administration at St. Stephen's have always pursued to have age-appropriate programs in our Language Arts Curriculum. Our approach to reading instruction has always been to provide the right amount of support and guidance for children to become independent readers. This approach is critical when instructing a Guided Reading Program at the First and Second Grade levels. At St. Stephen's we believe in the Approach to Guided Reading, as children beginning a Guided Reading program at the early emergent level practice reading aloud together with a great deal of teacher support. As they progress from one level or format to the next, they gain in their independence as readers. Once our students reach the early fluency level, they read silently with only minimal teacher support. Students are encouraged to ask themselves three questions when they encounter a "tricky" word: Does it make sense? Does it sound right? Does it look right? Once they have mastered these strategies, they are well on their way to becoming independent, fluent readers. In our First Grade class at St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School the SUNSHINE program by The Wright Group, includes both the Early Emergent and Upper Emergent Guided Reading Kits, both include 6 copies each of 16 pupil books.

As early readers show an interest in books and begin to focus on text and illustrations, the program helps develop the use of directionality of print and sound/symbol correspondence to reading unknown words. As upper emergent readers master directionality they are becoming independent strategic readers. These students focus on the print using their knowledge of letters, sounds, and known word parts to solve print problems. Their understanding of language and story structures helps them gain meaning from print. We at St. Stephen's are proud of the Reading Program at the Early Childhood Level, as many of our students have started on their successful reading journey. We are delighted with the program components, which provides for a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction.