Literacy
The Literacy Program at the Russell Byers Charter School includes best practices and strategies included in Reader's and Writer's Workshops. Teachers also use the Harcourt Trophies Literacy Program as a resource for instruction. During reading instruction, students at all levels are taught how to incorporate the metacognitive strategies that enhance comprehension and strengthen decoding skills. These strategies include, determining importance, inferring, synthesizing, visualizing and activating schema. The overlay of Experiential Learning encourages all learners to become better problem solvers, more in-depth thinkers, and intellectually curious. In order for this to happen, instruction in literacy must include explicit instruction in metacognitive skills and consistent monitoring of the implementation of these skills.
Phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension are explicitly taught beginning in 4 year old kindergarten and are consistently monitored using various teacher made formative and standardized assessments throughout all grades. Differentiated instruction addresses the needs of all students, which are met in guided reading groups and with follow-up interventions.
RBCS Philosophy of Teaching Writing
Russell Byers Charter School students will become independent writers who value the artful process of writing and demonstrate effectively the ability to convey their knowledge. Through a shared vision of common language and explicit teaching, students are empowered with the tools to skillfully write a variety of genres and formats.
RBCS Philosophy of Teaching Reading
Book Buddies
Russell Byers Charter School students will become successful and motivated readers who can actively and independently apply multiple strategies to construct meaning for a variety of purposes across all disciplines. Through a comprehensive and balanced literacy approach, teachers will explicitly plan and deliver effective instruction around the 5 components of reading. This process will foster a love of reading and equip students with the skills to navigate the complex reading process.
