October 2026 | District Spotlight
At Fair Grove, we believe strong literacy skills are the foundation for success in school and beyond. From our youngest Eagles learning to recognize letters and sounds to middle school students analyzing complex texts and discussing literature, developing confident, capable readers is a priority across our district.
Building the Foundation in Elementary School
Learning to read doesn't happen by chance. It requires intentional instruction, consistent practice, and a strong understanding of how children learn.
Over the past several years, Fair Grove Elementary has strengthened its literacy instruction through practices grounded in the science of reading, a body of research that helps educators understand how students develop reading skills.
One important part of this work has been the implementation of UFLI Foundations in our kindergarten through second-grade classrooms. This structured literacy resource provides explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, and word recognition.
Our teachers work collaboratively to ensure these foundational skills are taught consistently, giving students the tools they need to become increasingly independent readers.
As students progress through elementary school, instruction continues to build on these skills, placing greater emphasis on vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and understanding increasingly complex texts.
Growing as Readers in Middle School
As students transition into middle school, literacy instruction continues to evolve. While foundational reading skills remain important, students are increasingly challenged to think critically about what they read, analyze an author's purpose, support their ideas with textual evidence, and engage in meaningful discussions.
Through whole-class reading experiences and small-group book studies, students have opportunities to explore literature, consider different perspectives, and develop a deeper understanding of the texts they encounter.
These experiences help students strengthen not only their reading comprehension but also their communication, collaboration, and critical-thinking skills.
Bringing Families Into the Reading Experience
Recently, Fair Grove Middle School hosted a Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Literacy Night, bringing students, families, and teachers together to celebrate reading and strengthen the connection between home and school.
One meaningful part of the evening gave parents and guardians the opportunity to view and read the actual texts students are studying in their classrooms. Families could explore books used during small-group reading and whole-class lessons, gaining a firsthand look at the literature students are engaging with and the expectations of middle school literacy instruction.
Providing families with this opportunity helps bridge the gap between what happens in the classroom and conversations that can continue at home. When parents understand what their children are reading, they are better equipped to ask questions, encourage discussion, and take an active interest in their child's learning.
We are grateful to our middle school ELA teachers and everyone who helped make this evening possible. Most importantly, we appreciate the families who took time to join us. We love welcoming families into our buildings and sharing the meaningful learning experiences happening in our classrooms!
A Shared Commitment to Literacy
Building strong readers is not the responsibility of a single teacher, classroom, or grade level. It is a shared commitment that requires collaboration among educators, students, and families.
From mastering letter-sound relationships in kindergarten to discussing complex literature in middle school, every stage of literacy development matters.
At Fair Grove, we're proud of the intentional instruction happening in our classrooms and the partnerships that help our students succeed.
Together, we're building a community of readers, thinkers, and lifelong learners!