Helping 6th & 7th Graders Thrive in Reading and Spelling
Our Just Words Program is an evidence-based approach designed for students at Saint Francis Middle School in grades 6-7 who have mild to moderate reading and spelling difficulties. Through this program, students receive targeted instruction to improve word reading accuracy, spelling, and reading fluency, ensuring they develop the skills needed to approach more demanding academic concepts with confidence and enthusiasm.
Students in this program benefit from two periods of reading instruction per day, allowing for intensive support tailored to their needs. To accommodate this focused approach, participants follow a modified schedule in which they study science for half of the year and social studies for the remaining half, balancing their literacy development with other critical areas of learning.
By combining structured instruction, a supportive environment, and strategic scheduling, the Just Words® Program helps students become more proficient and confident readers, setting them up for long-term success.
Building Foundational Literacy Skills with Just Words
The Just Words Curriculum at Saint Francis leverages small class sizes and the expertise of certified instructors to provide personalized support for students with mild to moderate reading and spelling difficulties. Using evidence-based, multisensory techniques, the program engages students through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities to build essential literacy skills. This structured and individualized approach helps students overcome learning barriers, improve their reading abilities, and gain the confidence to excel academically.
Building Strong Foundations in Reading
Phonemic Awareness for Reading Success
Students with dyslexia often struggle with connecting sounds to letters. The Just Words program addresses this challenge through:
- Interactive Activities: Techniques like the tapping system help connect sounds to letters through hands-on, kinesthetic-tactile learning.
- Skill Progression: Students move from three-sound sequences to more complex six-sound patterns, building confidence in decoding.
These foundational skills create the building blocks for reading success.
Boosting Word Recognition and Spelling
Improving Reading and Spelling Skills
Understanding word patterns and spelling rules is critical for students with dyslexia:
- Phonetically Regular Words: Learn sound-symbol correspondence and master the six syllable types.
- High-Frequency Words: Recognize irregular words to build fluency.
These foundational skills create the building blocks for reading success.
Expanding Vocabulary and Fluency
Enhancing Word Knowledge
A rich vocabulary is essential for academic success:
- Real-World Applications: Students learn word meanings in context, building a robust vocabulary bank.
- Structured Lessons: Focused instruction expands both comprehension and communication skills.
- Speed, Accuracy, and Expression: Helping students read smoothly while understanding what they’re reading.
By improving vocabulary and fluency, students become more effective and expressive readers.
Unlocking Text Comprehension
Making Sense of What They Read
Developing strong comprehension skills helps students engage deeply with texts:
- Analyze Texts: Students learn to break down sentences, paragraphs, and passages to uncover meaning and intent.
- Think Critically: Lessons encourage making connections between ideas, identifying main themes, and drawing conclusions.
- Practical Strategies for Comprehension: Students learn techniques like visualization to picture information, questioning to clarify understanding, and summarization to restate key points.
These foundational skills create the building blocks for reading success.
Empower Your Child with Advanced Reading and Writing Skills
Imagine your child excelling in school with the tools to read, write, and express ideas with confidence. Through Just Words, students receive advanced support that bridges the gap between potential and achievement. At Saint Francis, we believe every child can thrive with the right guidance. Discover how we create an environment where your child can flourish.