Balanced Literacy programs are provided to all students beginning in Kindergarten. Oral language, reading and writing are not separate elements, but are linked in powerful ways to support learning.

Oral language is the basis for literacy. Kindergarten programs are rich in language-oriented activities that are relevant to the curriculum. Programs will provide a variety of opportunities for language development such as: retelling familiar stories, using appropriate vocabulary and basic story structure, listening and responding orally to language patterns in poetry, songs, stories and demonstrating awareness of individual sounds and sound patterns.

Kindergarten programs include daily reading and writing. This includes: read alouds, shared reading, interactive reading, guided reading, independent reading, word study, modeled writing, shared writing, interactive writing, guided writing, independent writing and word study.

Daily literacy instruction is presented both in blocks of uninterrupted time and embedded throughout the day as children play and explore.