Language Arts
The Weiss School Language Arts program encompasses reading, writing, and speech components. All components incorporate material introduced and presented by means that complement individual student learning styles, while integrating elevated thinking skills, originality, and creativity. Diverse, challenging literary works are selected to enhance student appreciation of works that include fantasy, science fiction, history, and cultural diversity. Research skills are developed by combining cross-curricular activities with individual interests. The use of Smart Boards provide additional opportunities for students to investigate all areas of Language Arts through tactile, audio, and visual learning modalities. The comprehensive Language Arts program prepares students to become skilled writers, thought provoking readers, and effective communicators. A unique activity in the Language Arts Center of Excellence that involves all students in Kindergarten – 8th grade is the Annual Author’s Day Program in which each student writes and publishes their own book.
Public Speaking
At The Weiss School, one of the unique curricular components that begins at an early age is the introduction of Public Speaking skills. All Weiss School students in grades Kindergarten – 8th grade receive weekly instruction in Public Speaking to develop them into articulate and effective communicators. The primary goal is to augment core academic skills with proficient Public Speaking skills to prepare them for high school and higher education. Public Speaking introduces students to the elements of good speaking and listening skills. A spiral Public Speaking curriculum is utilized to enhance speaking and listening skills each year as students progress through The Weiss School pupil progressional plan. The development of proficient public speaking skills has been instrumental in Weiss School students succeeding in academic competitions in other content areas. The ability to speak in front of hundreds of individuals without anxiety or fear is a critical skill that is fostered and developed among Weiss School students.