Michelle McCarthy

Michelle brings over 15 years of experience in early childhood, elementary, and special education, creating engaging and developmentally appropriate learning environments for young children. She specializes in working with pre-K and early elementary students, supporting their academic, social, and emotional growth through hands-on, play-based experiences.

Michelle has also spent three years teaching kindergarten and first grade students how to read. This work has deepened her commitment to early literacy development and given her valuable insight into the unique learning needs of young readers.

Emerging Language Arts!

Ages 6-7

Prerequisites: Students should already know all of the letter sounds and be able to identify the beginning and ending sounds of a CVC word. This class will target 1st grade standards with a review to help everyone remember their previous reading lessons.

Homework: Yes! Students will need to practice their blending at home! Blending flip books will be provided.

In this foundational language arts class, students will continue to build the essential skills needed for reading and writing success. Through engaging, age appropriate instruction, practice and games paired with the lesson of the day students will develop key literacy abilities including print concepts, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, handwriting, spelling, word analysis, and vocabulary.

Our games will include bingo, matching sounds to pictures, circling sounds, flashcards, building phonemic awareness through sounding out words and so much more!

Using a structured and systematic approach, this class supports students as they grow into confident, capable readers and writers. We will start off using the Zaner-Bloser Superkids curriculum, augmented with games and strategies used to help our young readers!

WINTER:

In our Winter Trimester, students will continue their Superkids journey through Units 4-6 as they grow into confident, independent readers. We’ll focus on building fluency, comprehension, and word analysis skills while strengthening phonics, handwriting, and vocabulary. Each class includes direct instruction, small-group practice, and engaging literacy-based games or crafts that reinforce our weekly lessons.

SPRING:

In our Spring Trimester, students will complete their Superkids journey with Units 7-8 and a year-end review. We’ll focus on refining foundational literacy skills, strengthening writing and vocabulary, and building confidence in reading through engaging lessons, games, and creative projects. Students will practice writing sentences, share their ideas with peers, and celebrate their growth as emerging readers and writers.

By the end of spring, students will feel more confident and capable in their reading and writing - ready to take their literacy skills to the next level!