CURRICULUM
Language Arts Our language arts program is rooted in the belief that oral
NPS students excel at:
and written communication skills are essential to helping
Understanding the connection between reading
students develop a sense of themselves and to share their diverse experiences and perspectives with others. Nursery and Pre-K students begin their journey as natural oral storytellers. Homeroom and drama teachers nurture this talent and build upon it with opportunities to reenact events or dictate ideas into a journal. As the children move into Kindergarten to Sixth Grade, teachers introduce them to the Writing Workshop model from Columbia University’s
and writing Thoughtfully planning, composing, revising, and publishing their writing Incorporating sophisticated vocabulary and proper writing mechanics into their writing Confidently and eloquently expressing themselves, both orally and in writing
Teachers College. Writing Workshop focuses on select
Special student publications include:
units of study including narrative, opinion/argument,
The Creative Cardinal: the NPS literary journal
and information writing with the goal of increasing the
The Nebraska Avenue Times: the NPS school newspaper
complexity and sophistication of student work. The School
Regularly published articles in The Northwest Current
uses Handwriting Without Tears for both print (PK–2) and cursive (3–4) instruction.
Language Arts enrichment activities include: Annual Author-in-Residence program Authors’ teas and publishing parties
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