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Kingdom Schools’ English
Program Overview
Goals for Learning
English Language Arts Standards
Graduates of Kingdom schools are able to …
- Apply reading strategies
and skills to acquire, cement, connect, and extend knowledge
- Read and interpret
literature from many genres
- Speak and write well for
a variety of purposes and audiences
- Write effectively using
the writing process and the six traits of writing
- Master grammatical
structures, usage, and mechanics of the English language
- Competently and
thoughtfully read, listen, and view literature, technical materials, and
a variety of other information
- Identify and select from
multiple strategies in order to complete projects independently and
cooperatively
- Think logically and
reflectively in order to present and explain positions based on relevant
and reliable information
- Effectively use
technology to make inquiries, research, and present ideas in a variety
of forms and media
Key Assessment Strategies
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Placement Tests
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Performance Assessments
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English as an Additional Language Continuum
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Reading and Writing Continuums
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Student – Teacher Conferencing and Goal
Setting
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Running Records
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Comprehension Questions – Selection Tests
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Benchmark Tests (Mid-term and Final) each
semester
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Observation Checklists
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Anecdotal Notes
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Grade Reports
Key
Instructional Approaches
- Writing Workshop –
Writing Process / Six Traits of Writing / Journals
- Reading Workshop –
Guided Reading, Literature Circles, Novel Studies, Independent Reading
- Handwriting Program –
D’Nealian Handwriting
- Phonics, Decoding Skills
and Strategies
- Study Skills and Life
skills
- Cooperative Learning
Group Projects
Essential Agreements
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The program addresses the specific needs of
second language learners
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Students work in a literature-rich environment
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A balance of whole language and skill-based
approaches are used
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A hands-on collaborative approach is used in
learning all skills
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Technology is an essential part of the
learning process
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Skills instruction follows a consistent
approach across and between grade levels allowing students to build upon
strategies and principles learned year to year
English Instructional
Time
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The Kindergarten Cycle: Half a day allotted
to English instruction daily
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The Lower Elementary Cycle: 13 periods
allotted to English instruction daily
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Grades 4through 11: 9 – 10 periods allotted
to English instruction daily
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Grade 12: 5 periods allotted to English
instruction daily
Class Size
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The Kindergarten Cycle has a maximum of 15
students per class
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The Lower and Upper Elementary Cycles have a
maximum of 18 students per class
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The Intermediate and Secondary Cycles have a
maximum of 20 students per class
Language Proficiency
Levels
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Mainstream
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ESL or English as a Second Language
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Newcomer Track
Program Details
The
English classes have been divided into three tracks. The Mainstream Track
is designed for the high proficiency students in English, who have had a lot
of experience in the language and are fluent or nearly fluent. The ESL
Track is created for those students whose exposure to the English language
has been limited, and need a program that will build their oral language
skills along side their literacy skills. The Newcomer Track is designed
specifically for those students joining Kingdom Schools who have no prior
background or instruction in English.
The Nursery
and KG-1 program is “Building Language for Literacy”. It is an early
literacy program that equips young children with the critical language and
literacy skills and experiences they need to build the foundation for
success in reading. The program is based on the latest research on early
literacy development. It features original language loving characters that
inspire and motivate learning. It is built upon children’s home and
community experiences to create meaningful connections, and it provides the
opportunity for literacy success to every child.
The Mainstream
Kindergarten through Grade 8 English program is designed around the Scott
Foresman Reading Program. The program provides a variety of multi-sensory
materials to make learning active and rewarding for each student at his or
her particular level. The students have thematic reading books, practice
books, grammar, books, and spelling books or phonics books depending on the
grade level. The ESL English program from grades KG through grade 5 is
designed around the Harcourt “Moving into English” program created
specifically for students learning English as a Second Language.
The
Intermediate - Secondary ESL students follow the Visions series. This new
series was also designed for students learning English as a Second
language. It incorporates high quality, accessible, and authentic
literature with a balance of fiction and nonfiction, including excerpts from
novels, short stories, plays, poetry, narratives, biographies, and
informational and content based readings.
Grading Criteria
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All students from grades 4-12 are tested
formally once per semester
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All mid-term marks are determined by
continuous assessments that are averaged to determine the mid-term mark
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The English special program mark is
counted and posted in the Arabic report card
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The English Special program is the only
English program being taught at Kingdom Schools, and supersedes the
government English program, except for the grade 12 classes.
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