About Our Literacy Program
A key focus of our literacy program is developing fluency with language. This excerpt from Rain, Steam, and Speed (our journal writing resource) sums up what fluency looks like in writing, reading, and speaking:
Fluency refers to the ease with which one communicates in each of the language skills. For a student giving an oral presentation,
fluency is the ability to talk at a steady pace, choose the right words, approximate correct grammar, and be understood despite any accent
or variation in speech. For a reader, fluency is the ability to read steadily and get the gist of the material. A fluent listener understands with
minimal effort what is being said. A fluent writer is able to jot down and develop ideas readily and steadily on paper...
Yes, fluency has to do with speed and effort; it is the facility with which one uses language in all its forms. Fluent speech can be
accented, fluent listening can include gaps in understanding, fluent reading can involve understanding the big idea or a selection without
understanding some specific words or expressions. Similarly, fluent writing can have mistakes, but its overall meaning is unmistakable. A
fluent writer successfully expresses ideas with steady ease.
Gerald Fleming and Meredith Pike-Baky
p. 14, Rain, Steam, and Speed: Building Fluency in Adolescent Writers
Key Components of our Literacy Program
Forms of Writing (LA Portfolio)
Poetry Unit
Some Suggested Poetry Books:
Literature Circles Unit:
Story Summarizer
Community Connector
Discussion Director
Word Wizard
Resources for Young Writers
Interested in publishing your work? Check out these resources to get you started.
Source Documents:
A key focus of our literacy program is developing fluency with language. This excerpt from Rain, Steam, and Speed (our journal writing resource) sums up what fluency looks like in writing, reading, and speaking:
Fluency refers to the ease with which one communicates in each of the language skills. For a student giving an oral presentation,
fluency is the ability to talk at a steady pace, choose the right words, approximate correct grammar, and be understood despite any accent
or variation in speech. For a reader, fluency is the ability to read steadily and get the gist of the material. A fluent listener understands with
minimal effort what is being said. A fluent writer is able to jot down and develop ideas readily and steadily on paper...
Yes, fluency has to do with speed and effort; it is the facility with which one uses language in all its forms. Fluent speech can be
accented, fluent listening can include gaps in understanding, fluent reading can involve understanding the big idea or a selection without
understanding some specific words or expressions. Similarly, fluent writing can have mistakes, but its overall meaning is unmistakable. A
fluent writer successfully expresses ideas with steady ease.
Gerald Fleming and Meredith Pike-Baky
p. 14, Rain, Steam, and Speed: Building Fluency in Adolescent Writers
Key Components of our Literacy Program
Forms of Writing (LA Portfolio)
Poetry Unit
- Poetry Learning Map
- Poetry Doors (powerpoint)
- Poetry Toolbox (powerpoint)
- Poetry Music Tools (powerpoint)
- Poetry vs. Prose
- Responding to a poem read aloud - "Images I see..."
- Note-taking
- Theme Poems
- Personification Poems
- Handout from our Forest Walk - Noticing Nature
- Types of Poems Examples
- Self & Peer Assessment for the Poetry Unit
- "Mastery" Rubric for Poetry Unit
- "Poetry Inspiration" Handout
Some Suggested Poetry Books:
- "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein
- "Knock at a Star: A Child's Introduction to Poetry" by Kennedy & Kennedy
- "Joyful Noise: Poetry for Two Voices" by Paul Fleischman
- “A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems” by Paul Janeczko
- “Ridiculous Poems for Intelligent Children” by Robin Hirsch
- “Technically, It’s Not My Fault: Concrete Poems” by John Grandits
- Some of Ms. Wiebe's favourite poets: Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, Robert Frost, Dr. Seuss
Literature Circles Unit:
- Literature Circles Learning Map
- Literature Circle Role Sheets:
Story Summarizer
Community Connector
Discussion Director
Word Wizard
- Video - Gerri's Game (Pixar Short Film)
Resources for Young Writers
Interested in publishing your work? Check out these resources to get you started.
- Young Writers' Resources compiled by the Vancouver Public Library - includes books and websites, with advice for writers, and suggestions for where you can publish your work
- Scholastics Website for publishing student written poems
- Teen Ink website for publishing student written poems
Source Documents: