Image
Sheltered Approach for Improved Literacy (SAIL)
Learn about the SAIL program, our sheltered approach to improving literacy for young learners.
Our Sheltered Approach for Improved Literacy (SAIL) program helps young learners, especially those from low-income families, by closing the language and learning gaps they might have.
It uses fun, interactive lessons and gives extra support to each child. The program also helps build the language skills needed for reading success, encourages parents and families to be involved, and sets high expectations for all students.
Parent involvement
A key component of SAIL is intentional parent and family involvement, reflecting the district’s commitment to maintaining high expectations for every learner. SAIL plans to offer workshops, instructional materials, and community resources to actively engage parents at participating schools in their children’s education.
See the tips below for ideas to support literacy at home, even if your child isn't currently participating in the SAIL program.
Tips for creating a culture of reading and writing at home
Expand AllCreate a reading routine
Read signs, labels, or recipes together to make reading a natural part of daily activities to incorporate reading into daily life.
Establish a regular reading time by setting aside a specific time each day for reading together, whether it’s before bed or during a quiet moment in the afternoon.
When reading with your child, encourage him/her to think about the story by asking questions like, "What do you think will happen next?" or "How do you think the character feels?" Talk about the book’s characters, plot, and settings to deepen comprehension.
For our younger readers, play rhyming games and read rhyming books to help your child recognize and produce rhyming words and help your child break words into individual sounds and blend them together to build reading skills.
Create a literacy-rich environment
Provide access to encourage reading and writing by stocking a variety of books that are appropriate for your child's age and interests like picture books, early readers, and storybooks as well as providing your child with notebooks, colored pencils, and markers to write stories or create drawings.
Regularly visit the local library to explore new books and participate in library programs. For our younger readers, it is also helpful to label common items around the house with their names to help your child connect words with objects.
Model and encourage reading and writing
Let your child see you reading and writing everyday. Encourage and model reading for pleasure. Share what you’re reading and discuss it with them.
Show how writing is used in everyday life, such as making lists, writing notes, or creating cards. Help your child write letters, create their own stories, or keep a journal of daily activities.
Foster a love of words and storytelling
Introduce new words in conversation and explain their meanings to expand your child's vocabulary. Engage in word games like Scrabble, Boggle, or word searches to build vocabulary and make learning fun.
Also, encourage your child to tell their own stories or retell stories from books or their own experiences using puppets or toys to act out stories and make storytelling more engaging.
Be patient and supportive
Praise your child’s efforts and progress in reading and writing, no matter how small. Encourage perseverance and provide support when your child struggles with reading or writing tasks.
Showcase your child’s writing and drawings on the refrigerator or a bulletin board to celebrate their efforts.
Program overview
The program is for students in PreK through third grade and includes four components:
- Sheltered Instruction: Provides structured support for language development, especially for students who struggle with academic language.
- Early Learning: Focuses on foundational skills crucial to early literacy.
- Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Delivers personalized interventions based on student needs.
- Science of Reading: Applies evidence-based practices to enhance reading instruction.
Participating campuses for 2024-25 are Williams, Shugart, Freeman at Golden Meadows, and Handley STEM.
Monthly instructional focuses
Monthly instructional focuses are designed to support student's academic and linguistic development through listening, speaking, reading and writing.
| Month | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| August | Establishing a culture for learning, content and language objectives |
| September | Total participation and comprehensible input |
| October | Incorporating academic vocabulary and comprehensible output |
| November | Promoting literacy and language |
| December | Scaffolding for all language levels and differentiation |
| January | Encouraging students speaking in complete sentences |
| February | Structured reading and writing activities |
Community partnerships
The program collaborates with community organizations, such as the Garland ISD Council PTA, NAACP, Atmos Energy, and Scholastic, to enhance its reach and impact. The collaboration will include local expertise, resources, and support systems to create a comprehensive approach to literacy achievement.
The partnerships contribute:
- At-home instructional materials and necessary supplies
- Parent and family learning workshops
- Student and teacher mentorship
- Student tutoring
- Teacher and administrator appreciation
- Classroom instructional resources
Contact us
For more information about the SAIL program, contact