Encouraging students to become enthusiastic readers and writers is central to Willow Wind. Students are provided with language-rich activities that develop oral language proficiency, immersion into a print-rich environment to develop and foster a love of reading, as well as many opportunities to read individually as well as to others. Direct reading instruction helps students develop as effective, proficient readers.  This year, Willow Wind will begin utilizing the National Geographic REACH for Reading curriculum for grades K-5.  In addition, literacy activities are integrated into many classes such as, Readers Theater, Stories and Watercolors, Nature Writing, and Kids Magazine.

Students learn in different ways, so literacy activities such as Readers Theater, Nature Writing, and Kids Magazine are incorporated in the curriculum. Teachers are able to carefully observe students, provide appropriate literacy instruction, and monitor progress. As students develop and become more fluent, the focus of instruction turns from helping them learn to read and write to helping them read and write to learn. Parents and families are expected to be active partners in student literacy. Practice, support, and encouragement help students develop into enthusiastic, motivated readers and writers.

All reading instruction offered at Willow Wind address the following five areas:

1. Phonemic Awareness: Hear, identify and manipulate sounds of spoken word.
2. Phonics: The relationship between the letters of written language and the sounds.
3. Fluency: Reading text accurately and quickly.
4. Vocabulary: Using words effectively to communicate or recognize in print.
5. Comprehension: Understanding what is read.