Reading

A Glimpse at Accelerated and Enriched Instructional Programs

William and Mary

The William and Mary Language Arts Program was developed by the Center for Gifted Education

at the College of William and Mary. The programs curriculum offers teaching models that

build students competence in reading, writing, and thinking. It centers around six specific student

goals for them to develop:

1. Literary analysis and interpretation skills.

2. Persuasive writing skills.

3. Linguistic competency.

4. Listening and oral communication

skills.

5. Reasoning skills.

6. Understanding of the concept of

change.

Paul’s Reasoning Web and the Literature Web are two highly used components

throughout the units of instruction. Lessons focus on active learning, problem solving, research, and

critical thinking using a variety of literature—poems, short stories, speeches, and essays.

To monitor the progress made in the areas of literature, grammar, and writing the program offers pre and post

assessments. Additionally, students maintain a writing portfolio that documents growth in writing, complete a number of projects,

and use an abundance of rubrics for evaluating complete tasks.

reading 2 reading 3

William and Mary Links:

junior great books

Junior Great Books

The Junior Great Books program is a researched based K-12 enrichment reading program. It provides

a framework for teaching reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills. The

program includes children's classics, folk tales and fairy tales, poetry, and modern short stories

from cultures around the world that are rich in ideas and incite a number of interpretations. It is proven to help

students develop essential literacy skills—reading carefully, thinking critically, listening intently, and

speaking and writing persuasively. Students develop their reading and thinking skills by

asking questions, formulating and sharing their opinions, and supporting their ideas

with evidence from the selections they read. The emphasis on discussion allows all students

to participate whether or not they are fluent readers and helps them grow in their

ability to understand and enjoy literature.

Junior Great Books Links: