Communication and expression of one’s ideas is a primary emphasis at Sherman Oaks.

Language arts education can be considered the most important course of learning since the exchange of ideas is central to all areas of study and facets of life.  Whether one is discovering new scientific breakthroughs, conducting an orchestra, or leading a team to victory, effective communication is essential.  Our kids learn that having an accumulation of knowledge and experience is wonderful, but being able to share those thoughts is what allows them to have an impact on the world.

Beginning in Kindergarten and increasingly nurtured through Grade 5, skillful reading, active listening, published writing, public speaking, and presentation skills are emphasized and integrated across the curriculum, highlighting our students’ education.

Language Arts Curriculum
The backbone of our language arts curriculum is the Open Court program, focusing on phonic and phonemic awareness. Kindergarteners utilize leveled readers, and higher grades encounter readings from important works of literature. This structured program is only the launching point, however, as teachers and students delve into the myriad of books, SRA kits, and media resources available at Sherman Oaks.

Reading
The formal process of reading begins in the kindergarten classroom. An independent reading program is used to supplement and encourage those children that are already fluent readers. Thematic units focus on topics of interest to young children creating opportunities for students to explore language and foster an interest in verbal and written communication. As they progress, we seek to engender a love of literature and language by exposing students to many genres of literature, which also enhances their comprehension, vocabulary, and higher level reasoning skills.

Writing
Writing skills are developed through daily free-writes, stories, essays, reports, and poetry, utilizing both handwriting and computer word-processing. Writing becomes a vehicle for introducing spelling and grammar, logic and rhetoric, and expressing critical and creative thought. We have a strong tradition of skillful writing at Sherman Oaks, having many winners and top finishers of district-wide essay contests, and one of our students even has her own column in a family magazine.

Please see the Grade Level Standards to the right for specific topic matter covered for each grade level.  Each child’s course of learning is guided by, but not limited to, these thorough standards, so every child progresses with the strongest academic foundation.