Phonemes and graphemes

Learning to read is based on phonemes (the units of sound in a spoken language) and graphemes (groups of letters representing a phoneme). Deciphering these elements thus builds understanding, and is more effective in the long term. École Bilingue Chardin Preschool and Elementary school teaches letters and sounds in a fun and enjoyable manner starting in the preschool's 4-year-old section.

Reading Sessions

École Bilingue Chardin emphasizes the importance of books by offering children numerous reading sessions that create a virtuous dynamic: By listening to texts, preschool students enrich their vocabulary and consolidate their knowledge of syntax, which results in a better understanding of other texts read by the teacher.

This creates a positive cycle while learning to read; through the introduction of new texts, students develop their vocabulary along with a better command of syntax, thus making them better prepared to listen to or read other texts with pleasure, and so on and so forth.

In Elementary School

This dynamic is pursued and reinforced in elementary school with various reading opportunities to ensure ongoing practice as part of the learning process

• Reading aloud in a caring atmosphere, to encourage children to read and share text extracts, and give each student in high elementary grades to make a short presentation of the latest reading they really enjoyed.
• Group reading sessions: Their duration depends on the class,and gives everyone (including the teacher) the opportunity to read a book of their choice, in silence and without disturbing the other readers. These sessions can be organised in other subjects (see"Living books" in the Humanities section).
• Books are always made available in the classrooms and the school library so that children may read them if they wish, in accordance with group work time.