Trumbull Public Schools
Correspondence

September 2009

Dear Trumbull Families,

Over the past few years we have been working to solidify our elementary reading/language arts curriculum to ensure all students learn to read well by the end of third grade.  Scientifically based reading research has identified five essential components of effective reading instruction. Explicit and systematic instruction must be provided in these five areas:  phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.  Definitions of these terms can be found on the district web site under the curriculum tab.

In the 2008-09 school year we implemented the Fundations program in kindergarten, first, and second grades to improve the phonemic awareness and phonics skills of our primary age students.  Teachers were immersed in a full-year of professional development to ensure consistent delivery of the curriculum.

For the 2009-10 school year we are adding the final piece of students’ phonemic awareness and phonics foundation by extending the Fundations program into third grade.  Teachers received initial professional development at the end of last school year and will continue this training during the current school year.  The third grade version of Fundations also incorporates handwriting and spelling, as opposed to maintaining entirely separate programs in these areas.

Should you have any questions, please contact the Curriculum Department at 452-4336.

Sincerely,

Gary Kunschaft
Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessments
Trumbull Public Schools

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