Dream, Achieve, Soar

Literacy

Our Literacy Program at St. Rita School for the Deaf is a comprehensive program that consists not only of reading and writing, but focuses on materials and strategies that students use to read and write. St. Rita School for the Deaf has a commitment to reading, writing and literacy programs designed to be in collaboration the curriculum; thus, components of language are incorporated into all lesson plans

The following is a short summarization of the Literacy Components that are used at St. Rita School for the Deaf.

Evaluations of reading levels, (independent and instructional levels), comprehension, and writing evaluations are conducted by the Literacy Department two (2) times a year; fall and spring.

These evaluations provide crucial information regarding levels of reading materials for instructional purposes and for independent (pleasure) reading. In addition, these evaluations provide input as to comprehension skills, writing skills, and areas that are challenging for our students.

The components of our Literacy Program are:
• Read Aloud
• Shared Reading & Writing
• Writer’s Workshop
• Independent Reading
• Journals & Logs
• Guided Reading & Writing
• Research Reading & Writing

In addition to the areas for reading, we have expanded the writing component to incorporate the Montessori symbols for the parts of speech. The teaching uses visual representation of English grammar via shapes and colors. This is expanded to the printed word; thus providing a visual representation of English to use as a ‘stepping stone’ for teaching English composition. The Literacy Department continues to review and implement new strategies that reflect the literacy demands of our 21st Century.