Language Arts

A teacher points to words on a clipboard

Our Philosophy: Literacy for Leadership and Change

At Miquon, the Language Arts program empowers children to read, write, speak, listen, and think for authentic, real-world purposes.

Grounded in the Science of Reading, we understand that learning to read requires a dual focus: mastering systematic foundational skills (word recognition) and building deep knowledge (language comprehension).We nurture independent thinkers who use literacy to make sense of the world, question inequities, and advocate for a better life for all. By understanding how the spoken word transforms into print, our youngest learners quickly discover the power of their own voices to share stories and spark change.

Two children are sitting on a classroom rug and reading books

Our Approach: Structured Literacy in a Progressive Setting

We weave evidence-based reading practices into a vibrant, multidisciplinary day. Children are immersed in language through play, song, poetry, and rich literature, while simultaneously receiving the explicit instruction necessary to become proficient readers and writers.

Speech-to-Print Focus (Structured Linguistics)

Critical Thinking & Multiple Perspectives

The Reading-Writing Connection

Knowledge-Rich Curriculum

Data-Informed Instruction and Assessment

Universal Screening with DIBELS

We use DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) as our universal screening tool. These short, scientifically validated measures allow us to identify early indicators of reading risk, check the health of our core instruction, and pinpoint exactly where a student might need additional support.

Progress Monitoring & Small Group Interventions

When screening indicates gaps in foundational skills, we instantly design targeted, flexible small group interventions. We use data to frequently progress monitor these groups, measuring the efficacy of the intervention in real-time and adjusting our pacing, grouping, or strategies to maximize student growth.

A student works on their final draft of a story.

A child reads one of their own pieces to their class

Literacy Across the Grades

Literacy at Miquon develops progressively from preschool through sixth grade, blending explicit foundational instruction with rich opportunities to read, write, think, and communicate. Explore how our approach evolves as students grow into confident, capable readers and writers.

Preschool and Kindergarten: Laying the Foundation

Language Comprehension:

Through interactive read-alouds, storytelling, and dramatic play, children build robust oral vocabularies, complex syntax, and background knowledge.

Phonological Awareness:

Early learners engage in playful, explicit routines involving rhymes, syllables, and phonemes (the individual sounds in words).

Emergent Writing:

Children explore communication by drawing, labeling, and dictating stories. Kindergarteners use journals to record personal experiences and observations of the natural world.

Marisa, a K/1 teacher, reads aloud to her class outside

First through Third Grade: Mastering the Code

Foundational Skills:

We use research-based programs such as EBLI and Reading Simplified to provide clear, step-by-step instruction in reading and spelling. Students learn how sounds connect to letters and letter combinations within real words, helping them develop strong decoding, spelling, and reading fluency skills with confidence.

Targeted Skill Groups:

Teachers utilize high-quality decodables and targeted small-group instruction to ensure all students master decoding, spelling, and handwriting.

Fluency & Comprehension:

As word recognition becomes automatic, cognitive energy shifts entirely to comprehension. In other words, children shift from "learning to read" to "reading to learn". Students participate in Reader’s Workshop, exploring text structure, making inferences, and building reading stamina.

Fourth through Sixth Grade: Advanced Literacy and Voice

Morphology & Word Study:

Students move beyond basic phonics to study advanced spelling patterns, Greek and Latin roots (Classical Roots), and complex grammar through advanced EBLI strategies.

Literature Circles:

Older students engage in high-level literary discourse. They read diverse, complex chapter books, debating themes, author's perspective, and socio-political contexts.

Advanced Writing & Research:

Writing expands into formal, evidence-based research projects, persuasive essays, and long-form creative fiction. Students learn to structure arguments, synthesize multiple sources, and revise their work for an external audience.

two older children sit on a table reading outside

Pillars of Literacy

Miquon’s Language Arts curriculum aligns with cognitive science and the pillars of structured literacy. We balance explicit, systematic skill acquisition with authentic, meaning-centered applications.

Pillar of Literacy	Instructional Practices & Tools
Phonemic Awareness & Phonics	Explicit, sequential speech-to-print instruction using EBLI and Reading Simplified; multi-sensory blending, segmenting, and phoneme manipulation (Jacob, 2017).
Spelling & Mechanics	Systematic word study, Sitton Spelling, grammar in context, and explicit handwriting instruction (print and cursive) with Handwriting without Tears.
Vocabulary & Morphology	Rich oral language exposure, contextual vocabulary strategies, and structural analysis via Classical Roots.
Fluency	Shared reading, choral reading, reader's theater, and dramatic performances to build automaticity and prosody.
Comprehension	Deep exposure to high-quality children's literature and non-fiction; explicit instruction in text structures, questioning, and critical media literacy.

Theater at Miquon: Fluency in Action

Theatrical performances from first through sixth grade are a hallmark of our literacy program.

Theater provides a joyful, authentic purpose for reading rehearsal, serving as an exceptional tool for building reading fluency and prosody (expression, phrasing, and intonation). Whether adapting a beloved text or writing an original script, public performance builds confidence, deepens text comprehension, and celebrates the power of storytelling.

A young woman with a yellow mustache accessory stands with her arms crossed in the foreground, while two other individuals are visible behind her in a wooded outdoor setting.

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