Wayland Academy of Framingham

Language Arts

Reading & Creative Writing
Our basic objective is effective communication through reading, writing, and
oration.  Basic skills of reading, writing, spelling, grammar, penmanship
and library use are the foundation of our program.  In Kindergarten and
Grades 1 and 2 there is a strong emphasis on the use of phonics to unlock words.
Students are encouraged to choose and read books from a wide selection of
children's literature.

The highly successful and popular literature based SIRCLA (Structured
Individualized Reading and Creative Language Arts) Program is the core of the
language arts program.  The SIRCLA Program was originated in 1968 by two
Wayland Academy faculty members, Jacqueline Durbin and John F. O'Rourke, and has
been used with tremendous success for over 20 years. The average or typical
student in the SIRCLA Program reads approximately one book each week or 35 books
per school year versus the two or three books per year that are generally read
in traditional basal reading programs. Time has shown that children really love
the program.

If one multiplies 35 books times six years in grades 1-6, it equals 210 books
versus 18 in traditional reading programs.  This is almost 200 more books
over the six years from grades 1 through 6.  It is therefore very easy to
see why Wayland Academy students are not only such fluent readers, but they also
have such a broad knowledge and appreciation of the wonderful world of
children's literature.

In order to qualify or receive credit for reading a book, a student must
complete a comprehension guide sheet of 20 questions (10 questions for K-2 level
books) which accompanies each of over one thousand popular and highly
recommended children's books that are on the program.  Using these
comprehensive guide sheets, it is very easy for both the student and teacher to
evaluate the degree of understanding of the book.  In addition to
comprehending what the author has actually said in words, we are concerned with
developing the child's ability to read between the lines and express creatively
in writing the critical, inferential, evaluative, and appreciative issues that
might be related to the book.

Children are encouraged to engage in at least one creative project to
accompany each book that is read in order to give a more profound and
longer-lasting appreciation for the understanding of their reading.  These
projects, when displayed in the classroom, help to inspire other children to
read the books.  In order to provide easy access to books, each classroom
has an extensive library of the latest and best children's literature.

At Wayland Academy, every student writes and expresses his or her thoughts on
a wide variety of subjects on a daily basis.  Much of the student's
creative writing is done in conjunction with the books read and the personal
experiences that they encounter in their daily lives.  Various styles and
types of poetry writing are also included.

The children write numerous letters to pen pals, authors, illustrators, book
publishers, important people in the news, and guest speakers who come to Wayland
Academy to talk on various important countries or their particular areas of
expertise.  Students also have frequent opportunities to express themselves
on important local, state and national issues that are of concern to them, and
they are encouraged to voice their own unique individual feelings on these vital
issues.

In addition to encouraging the free flow of creative expression, our program
includes the traditional concern with the mechanics of writing, including
spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

At Wayland Academy, we feel that in order for children to be excellent
readers they must have the opportunity to choose and read a variety of books on
subjects which interest them.  In like manner, for children to be fluent in
written expression, they must write on a daily basis about issues in which they
have sufficient experience and knowledge to form and express their opinions. 
In short, children become readers by constantly reading material of interest to
them and at a level at which they feel comfortable.  Likewise, they become
writers by having frequent opportunities to express themselves on paper. 
In both reading and creative writing, children need constant guidance and
encouragement from their parents and teachers in order to develop the
self-confidence that is so vital to their success.