English Language Arts

Washington County Public Schools focuses on the development of literate individuals able to read, write, speak, listen and use language effectively in a variety of content areas. 

Beginning with our youngest learners... 
Students build foundational knowledge, acquire basic literacy skills and develop an understanding that print conveys meaning. As our children grow in their experiences with texts and language, children begin to communicate their individual thoughts and ideas through speaking and writing and to share in the thoughts and ideas of others through listening and reading. Instruction and curriculum focus on building strategies to comprehend a variety of texts, both literary and informational and to recognize that texts are structured in predictable ways to promote understanding and serve a purpose. 

In the middle and upper grades...
Students will be challenged with more complex texts and experiences in preparation to respond to print, both digital and traditional formats, and to assimilate previous learning with new ideas in order to formulate their own thoughts and opinions on topics. Students will be challenged and asked questions that push them to refer back to what they have read. This stresses critical-thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills that are required for success in college, career and life.