FISD recognizes the importance of developing proficient readers and writers in the early years. The elementary literacy program may best be characterized as a balanced one including the following components: teacher read aloud, shared reading, word study activities, guided reading, independent reading, modeled writing, shared writing, and independent writing. Critical features of the program include individual student assessment, job-embedded teacher training, and the implementation of research based instructional strategies.

Every student in grades kindergarten through fifth grade is individually assessed in reading at the beginning of each school year and monitored throughout the year. This individually administered assessment affords teachers the opportunity to determine each student's strengths and weaknesses in reading, allowing for more individualized instruction.

Job-embedded professional development provides teachers opportunities to remain current in literacy instructional strategies and practices. In addition to this literacy based professional development, each FISD elementary teacher is supplied with a literacy notebook which includes guidelines for assessments, the District Phonics Checklist, the FISD Spelling Handbook, the FISD Writing Handbook, and suggested research based instructional strategies.

The District Phonics Checklist has been in place for several years. This guideline for phonics instruction identifies important phonics concepts and the corresponding grade level at which each concept should be introduced, developed and mastered.

The Spelling Handbook outlines the district's philosophy of spelling instruction as well as grade level instant words, chunks and prefix/suffix lists, and summaries of the most current spelling instructional strategies. The district's spelling philosophy supports direct spelling instruction with embedded opportunities for the authentic application of learning through writing. The goal of all spelling instruction is to develop independence, fluency and accuracy in writing. FISD recognizes that a quality spelling program equips students with strategies for spelling words independently, and for monitoring and proofing personal writing.

The FISD Writing Handbook is a vertically aligned kindergarten - twelfth grade document that outlines the district's philosophy of writing instruction. Important components of the FISD writing program encompass the craft/process of writing assessment, the integration of writing in all disciplines, and teacher training. Students are encouraged to develop their own writing "voice", and teachers utilize holistic rubrics for scoring writing selections. Writing workshop, academic journaling, and self-editing are all integral parts of the FISD writing program.

For the student in need of additional literacy support, the district offers:

1. Accelerated Reading Program, for students in grades K-5 at-risk of learning to read, and
2. the Alphabetic Phonics Program, for the third through fifth grader who demonstrates dyslexic tendencies.

Questions and inquiries about the district's literacy program may be directed to Debbie Whitt Jarzombek, Director of Elementary Instruction, 469-633-6963.