Growing Readers, Writers, and Thinkers—Together

At Sherman School, we believe that reading and writing open the door to a lifetime of learning. Our English Language Arts (ELA) program helps students become strong readers, confident writers, and thoughtful communicators—skills that are essential in school and in life.

But we don’t do it alone. We know how important it is to partner with families in this journey, and we’re excited to work together to support your child every step of the way.

✨ What We Teach: HMH Into Reading & Into Literature

We use trusted programs from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) that are backed by research and loved by students:

• In grades K–6, we use HMH Into Reading, which builds strong foundations in reading and writing. It helps students learn how words work and how to understand what they read—while also enjoying great stories and nonfiction texts.

• In grades 6–8, students use HMH Into Literature, which supports deeper reading, discussion, and writing. Students read a wide variety of texts that help them think critically and express their ideas clearly.

Both programs are designed around the Science of Reading, which means we use the most effective, research-based methods to teach reading step by step—from learning letter sounds to understanding complex ideas in literature.

🔍 How We Support Every Learner: DIBELS 8 & i‑Ready

We know that every child learns at their own pace—and we want to meet them right where they are. That’s why we use a combination of tools to check in on their progress and provide extra support when needed.

DIBELS 8 (Grades K–5)

Three times a year, we give students a short reading check-in called DIBELS 8. It helps us see how they’re doing with important early reading skills like:

• Recognizing letters and sounds

• Blending and sounding out words

• Reading smoothly and understanding what they read

These quick assessments let us spot challenges early and give support right away if a student needs extra help.

i‑Ready Diagnostic (Grades K–8)

Also three times a year—in fall, winter, and spring—students take the i‑Ready Diagnostic in reading. It’s an online tool that adjusts to each student’s level and gives us a clear picture of what they know and what they’re ready to learn next.

i‑Ready shows:

• If your child is meeting grade-level expectations

• How much they’re growing each year

• What kinds of reading skills they’ve mastered and what to work on next

We use this information to personalize instruction, celebrate growth, and set goals that make sense for each child.

🧩 For Students Who Need Extra Support: MTSS

If a student is not yet meeting grade-level expectations, we use a support system called MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). This means:

• We look closely at data from DIBELS and i‑Ready

• We provide extra reading help in small groups or one-on-one

• We check in often to see how students are progressing and adjust as needed

Our goal is to make sure every child has what they need to grow and succeed.

❤️ Creating a Love of Reading & Writing

While we focus on skills, we also want students to love reading and writing. Whether it’s exploring new worlds through books, writing their own stories, or having deep discussions in class, we help students:

• Read texts that reflect different voices and experiences

• Write with purpose and creativity

• Build confidence in sharing their ideas

We want students to leave each grade not only stronger readers and writers, but also excited about the power of words.

👨‍👩‍👧 How Families Can Help at Home

You are your child’s first and most important teacher—and your support at home makes a huge difference! Here are a few ways to stay involved:

• Read together every day, even for a few minutes

• Talk about books—ask what they liked, what surprised them, and what they’d change

• Encourage writing—journals, stories, thank-you notes, anything!

• Celebrate progress with your child’s i‑Ready reports (we’ll send them home after each assessment)

• Stay connected—reach out to your child’s teacher if you have questions or want ideas to help at home

Together, we’re helping your child grow into a confident reader and writer—and we’re so grateful to be on this journey with you.

🎯 Our Goals in English Language Arts

• Teach reading and writing using the best, research-based methods

• Use tools like DIBELS 8 and i‑Ready to monitor growth and give support

• Help every child meet and exceed grade-level goals

• Spark a true love of books, stories, and writing

• Work side-by-side with families to support success

If you ever have questions about what your child is learning or how you can help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We're in this together—and we’re so proud of all that our students are learning!