Learning - 1. Literacy
Two hours of English teaching and learning occurs in each classroom, every day. This includes time devoted to the development of Reading, comprehension, reading skills, habits and behaviours, Writing, and oral language (Speaking and Listening).
Each day students will engage in rich reading tasks to develop their reading skills. These skills include fluency and expression, word-solving, comprehension and responding to texts. Students participate in whole class, small group and teacher groups to develop these strategies in their reading.
All reading tasks are designed strategically and are differentiated so that the learning is catering for each individual. Students listen to, read and view texts in print and online in a variety of genres across the year.
Students have their own individual book boxes that contain fiction and non-fiction texts. These texts are a mixture of teacher and student choice that are ‘just right’ books which allow students to practise reading skills from the explicit instruction, as well as working on their individual reading goals.
Reader’s Notebooks are used to respond to texts, show evidence of their goals and reflect on their reading.
At Craigieburn South Primary School we follow the CSPS Reading Instructional Model that is based on the Gradual Release of Responsibility and Workshop Model.
The Reading instructional model comprises:
- Orientation and Explicit Teaching – Explicit instruction, introducing a reading skill or idea as a whole class focus.
- Independent Learning/Teacher Group – Students complete independent, differentiated and authentic reading tasks matched to the learning intention and/or personal goals. At the same time, teacher conducts small group focus sessions.
- Independent Reading/Conferencing – Students independently read, focussing on the explicit lesson and their personal reading goals while the teacher conferences with students.
- Review – Students reflect on the explicit learning intention and articulate their thinking and learning.
Each day students engage in rich writing tasks to develop their writing skills. Each week, students engage in lessons around the craft of writing, grammar and punctuation and spelling. We explore a variety the genres including narrative, poetry, information and persuasive.
Writer’s Notebooks are used to gather ideas and inspirations for their writing, providing them with the opportunity to write about topics and things that inspire them the most. They work their way through the writing process of discussing, planning, drafting, conferencing, revising and editing. Students also have the chance to publish many writing pieces across the year.
Through the use of the 6+1 Traits of Writing, students learn to develop ideas, organise their writing, create a sense of voice, use powerful and striking words and vocabulary, utilise different sentence structures and apply spelling, punctuation and grammar rules. At Craigieburn South Primary School we follow the CSPS Writing Instructional Model that is based on the Gradual Release of Responsibility and Workshop Model.
The Writing instructional model comprises:
- Orientation and Explicit Teaching – Explicit instruction, introducing a writing skill or idea as a whole class focus.
- Independent Learning/Teacher Group – Students complete independent, differentiated and authentic writing tasks matched to the learning intention while the teacher takes small group focus sessions and conferences.
- Review – Students reflect on the explicit learning intention and articulate their thinking and learning.
THRASS
THRASS is an acronym that stands for Teaching Handwriting, Reading And Spelling Skills. It is a system for teaching learners of any age about the building blocks of reading and spelling, that is, the 44 phonemes (speech sounds) of spoken English and the graphemes (spelling choices) of written English.
At CSPS, we use THRASS from the beginning of Prep all the way through to Year 6. In Prep, students get a THRASS chart as part of their book pack to use at home. We use THRASS as a resource to teach the 44 speech sounds and the various spelling choices.
Every year we run a parent information session about THRASS, introducing the basic knowledge and familiarisation with the chart. We also have many activities that are created for families to enjoy during the CSPS MAITES night, generally held in Term 3.
Video explaining THRASS by Denise Ritchie (co-author and creator)
What can you do at home to support your child with Literacy?
Talk as much as you can with your child and engage them in conversation often (in your home language and in English)
Outings can also provide a world of new vocabulary. Discussion during outings can enrich your child’s understanding of the world. Outings might include going to the park, the zoo, a shopping centre, museums, libraries and art galleries.
Story-telling is a great way to extend your child’s language and listening skills, as well as expanding their imagination. Either you can tell the story, or encourage your child to tell the story.
Encourage your child to tell you about what they did during the day at Kinder, Childcare or School. Ask them what activities they did, who they played with and what they enjoyed doing.
Provide your child with access to a wide range of books, by borrowing books from our school library and from the local library. The Craigieburn Library is located in the Hume Global Learning Centre - Craigieburn, near Craigieburn Junction.
Read aloud together with your child. Reading together will increase your child’s vocabulary, expand your child’s understanding of the world, and gives them confidence when using language. Reading aloud is also an important way to make the link between spoken words and written words.
Provide them with writing materials such as paper, notepads, pens and pencils, and encourage them to write for a range of everyday reasons such as practising writing their name, writing birthday cards, writing shopping lists or letters to friends and family.
Encourage your child to read back their writing, pointing to the words as they read.
Encourage your child to draw a picture or create something to match their writing.