Reading Philosophy at JCDSRI:
Our approach to reading reflects our deep commitment to nurturing each student’s intellectual, emotional, and personal growth.
Reading is more than a fundamental skill it is a bridge to self-discovery, connection, and understanding. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and enriched by social-emotional learning (SEL), our reading philosophy ensures that every child engages meaningfully with texts, develops a love for reading, and gains tools to navigate the world with confidence and empathy.
We believe that reading is a journey of exploration. It begins with the essential question, What does it mean to be a reader? Through reading, students not only develop critical literacy skills but also uncover their unique identities and perspectives. This exploration is guided by questions such as, Who am I in this big world? and How does reading help me understand who I am? By engaging with diverse genres, cultures, and themes, students see themselves reflected in stories and discover their place in the broader human narrative.
Our reading program is designed to meet the needs of all learners, recognizing that each child brings unique strengths, interests, and challenges to the classroom. With UDL as our foundation, we provide multiple ways for students to access, engage with, and express their understanding of texts. Whether through shared reading, independent exploration, or interactive discussions, students are empowered to approach reading in ways that resonate with their individual learning styles.
Social-emotional learning is seamlessly woven into our reading practices. As students engage with texts, they develop empathy by exploring characters’ emotions, motivations, and challenges. Discussions and reflections encourage students to make meaningful connections text to self, text to text, and text to world fostering both self-awareness and a deeper understanding of others. Through collaborative activities, such as partner reading and book talks, students build relationships, strengthen communication skills, and experience the joy of shared discovery.
We encourage students to view reading as a lifelong pursuit that enriches their personal and academic lives. From the earliest stages of pre-reading, where children explore books through illustrations and predictions, to more advanced literary analysis, where students evaluate themes and authorial techniques, we emphasize both the joy and the discipline of reading. By providing a variety of texts including fiction, nonfiction, labels, menus, and online resources we help students understand that reading is a versatile tool that supports all areas of learning and daily life.
Key to our philosophy is the belief that every student can succeed as a reader. Our teachers guide students in developing foundational skills, such as decoding and fluency, while fostering higher-order thinking through comprehension strategies and literary analysis. Students are taught to monitor their understanding, ask questions, and reread as needed valuable habits that extend beyond the classroom. Through the use of graphic organizers, journaling, and reflection, they articulate insights and support their observations with evidence from the text.
At JCDSRI, we view reading not only as a skill to master but as a lens through which students view themselves and the world. Essential questions, such as How do the words we choose impact our personal expression? and How do writers convey thoughts, feelings, and ideas? guide our students toward a deeper appreciation of language and its power to inspire, inform, and connect.
Our library and classroom resources are integral to this journey, providing students with access to diverse and engaging materials. By teaching students how to select books that reflect their interests and reading levels, we empower them to take ownership of their learning. Regular opportunities for reading, whether independently, with a partner, or in shared experiences, cultivate a love for literature and an eagerness to explore new ideas.
In fostering a community of readers, we aim to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. At JCDSRI, reading is more than an academic endeavor it is a cornerstone of our mission to educate the whole child, preparing them to engage meaningfully with the world and contribute with thoughtfulness, compassion, and confidence.