The English Language Arts (Reading/Literature/Writing) classes are designed to nurture a lifelong love of literacy through a developmentally appropriate and skill-leveled approach. From the earliest grades, students build foundational language skills through rich, hands-on experiences with stories, songs, and interactive read-alouds that develop vocabulary, phonemic awareness, and early comprehension. As students progress through the elementary and middle grades, instruction becomes increasingly sophisticated, guiding learners from decoding and sentence formation toward analysis, interpretation, and refined written expression.
Teachers utilize the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) to guide the progression of skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Lessons are differentiated to meet students at their individual levels, supporting both emerging and advanced readers and writers. In Reading/Literature classes, students engage with a wide variety of literary and informational texts, learning to identify key ideas, analyze structure, and infer meaning. In writing, students practice narrative, informative, and argumentative forms, developing strong command of grammar, vocabulary, and the writing process—from drafting to revising and publishing.
Across grade levels, teachers integrate authentic reading and writing experiences through projects, discussions, and cross-curricular connections that deepen comprehension and critical thinking. By eighth grade, students have developed the confidence and independence to read complex texts, express ideas effectively in writing, and apply literacy skills across disciplines—preparing them for the demands of high school and beyond.
Within the context of our English Language Arts, Reading or Literature Classes, students also participate in the Scripps Spelling Bee, Battle of the Books, and the Pegasus Mythology Exam.
Scripps Spelling Bee
Students participate in the Scripps Spelling Bee sending a grade level winner to the Regional Spelling Bee for grades 5th -8th grade. Students in grades 2nd-4th grade participate in an in house spelling bee.
Awards
2024-2025
- Regional participation in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8
2023-2024
- Regional participation in grades 5, 6, 7 and 8
2022-2023
- Regional participation in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8
2020-2021
- Regional participation in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8
- 1st place regional winner 7th grade
- National participant
2019-2020
- Regional participation in grades 5, 6, 7, and 8
- 1st place regional winner 6th grade
- National qualifier (*competition cancelled this year due to COVID)
Battle of the Books
Students participate each year in the Battle of the Books competition. Battle of the Books is a statewide reading competition in Nevada for students in various grades, primarily 4th and 5th. Students form teams to read a specific list of books and compete in trivia-style battles to test their knowledge of the books, with winners advancing through school, district, and sometimes state levels. The program aims to foster a love of reading, improve comprehension, and encourage teamwork. Nasri Academy competes against other private and Clark County School District schools.
Awards
2024-2025
- 4th place finish in regional competition
- 2nd place finish in division competition
2023-2024
- 3rd place finisher in division competition
2018-2019
- 3rd place finish in regional competition
Pegasus Mythology Exam
The Pegasus Mythology Exam is an annual national and international competition for students in grades 3-8, focusing on Greek mythology and its connections to literature, art, and culture. Participants are tested on their knowledge of classical myths, which are organized by theme each year, with different levels of difficulty depending on the grade level.
2023-2024
- 6 Certificates of Recognition
- 1 Cum Laude
