The Little Gems Academy uses the Scholastic Curriculum, a theme-based curriculum, as the foundation of our academic program in conjunction with a Creative Curriculum and Montessori influence.  “Building Language for Literacy” was created by Catherine E. Snow, Ph.D., and Susan B. Neuman, Ed.D.  The curriculum is designed to guide children, ages 3-5years through early stages of language and literacy development.  Younger students work on the same themes but use the principles of the Creative Curriculum and Montessori influence for academic guidelines.

Building Language for Literacy (BLL) works because it:

Instructional Content

Independent research has shown that the program significantly increases vocabulary, language, and letter and word identification skills for English- and Spanish-speaking children.  BLL is integrated with science, social studies, math, writing, music and other curriculum and content area.

Oral Language

“Nina the Naming Newt” provides song and text-related vocabulary words for building concepts.
Students develop oral language through tories, dramatic play, picture vocabulary and learning center activities.
Students link new learning experiences and vocabulary to what is already known.

Phonological Awareness

“Reggie the Rhyming Rhino” sings and plays rhyming games.
Students develop an awareness of patterns and differences in sounds through rhyme, song, poetry and rhythm.
Students isolate beginning and ending sounds in words, create and invent words by substituting sounds and identify the order of sounds in words.

Alphabet Knowledge

“Leo the Letter-Loving Lobster” helps children learn the letters of the alphabet.
Students identify printed letters and make connections between letters and sounds through experiences with literature, games and activities.
Students will learn their first and last names.

Print Awareness

Nina, Reggie and Leo expose children to various types of print and literature genres.
Students develop an understanding that print and illustrations carry a message and they recognize the sequence and flow of stories.
Children learn that books are handled in a certain way and that print is arranged form left to right and top to bottom.

Instructional Design

BLL introduces developmental skills in a systematic way.  Specific goals and objectives spelled out in the BLL Unit Guides form the basis of all activities.  Children have experiences that develop oral language, phonological awareness, letter knowledge and print knowledge on a daily basis.  Lessons present key skills multiple times to give students many opportunities to build a foundation in language development.

Assessments

The BLL Assessment Handbook will provide unit by unit assessment, as well as mid and  
end-of-year measures for parents that will be reviewed during scheduled parent-teacher conferences.  At the time of enrollment each child will begin a “Student Portfolio”.  Student Portfolios will contain assessments, teacher observations and samples of the student’s work.