Language/Reading Curriculum in the Fourth Grade
Reading Policy
Reading literacy, including reading skills acquisition and comprehension of written texts, is one of the most important abilities students acquire during the first years of schooling. Playing a major role in the mental, social, and emotional development of each student, reading literacy provides a foundation for the learning of other subjects. In addition to understanding the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences, comprehension involves deciphering authors’ main objectives through verbal codes and symbolism. Reading with persistency goes further than achieving knowledge, and therefore learning will become enjoyable. Students acquire reasoning abilities and knowledge.
The current national curriculum for Farsi language in primary school is fully centralized and integrated; thus, reading instruction and its goals are incorporated with other components of language instruction.10 The main objective of reading education is the development of accuracy, reflection, reasoning, and judgment skills with an emphasis on the ability to:
- Write with focus and accuracy
- Read aloud or to oneself
- Read rhythmically and harmoniously
- Identify the main idea of a text
- Recognize the connection among different parts of a text
- Use appropriate instruments that are suitable for reading
- Expand point of view through reading
- Acquire desirable reading habits
The Organization for Educational Research and Planning developed the national curriculum with the cooperation of school districts and teachers. The curriculum guide prescribes goals, objectives, processes, methods, and materials for all students. Parents are informed about the reading curriculum through meetings with teachers and school administrators, public awareness campaigns, the Ministry of Education’s website, and parents’ associations and organizations. Visiting inspectors, research programs, and national and regional assessments evaluate the implementation of the curriculum.
The aim of reading instruction in the primary grades is not merely to gain the ability to read textbooks through traditional methods. In the revised curriculum, reading is considered to be a conscious activity in which students collect knowledge about their favorite topics, satisfy their sense of curiosity, and gain personal enjoyment.
At the primary levels, reading is accompanied by activities such as movement, games, and singing. During the process of learning language, students should not only focus on identifying letters, words, and correct pronunciations, but also consider reading as a tool for transferring thoughts and ideas; fostering thinking skills such as imagining, justifying, and judging; and problem solving. Because the curriculum basically guides students as they read textbooks and other sources, it is not necessary for all students to read at the same pace. In fact, each student may read a different text during class.11