The study of English is central to the learning and development of all young Australians. It helps create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens. (Victorian Curriculum)
Literacy at St Therese’s is highly structured with targeted teaching using the Victorian Curriculum on a daily basis. We strive to ensure that there is a common pedagogical approach throughout the school. Students engage in a two hour literacy block learning and acquiring the skills for reading, writing, speaking and listening.
At St Therese’s students Speaking and Listening is the basis of all literacy. It is incorporated in everything we do. Skills are taught to support student in conveying and receiving meaning.It also involves the development of active-listening strategies.
English sessions that focus on reading are comprised of whole group, small group and individual teaching. Reading skills are taught explicitly in Literacy sessions using a variety of strategies and approaches. In the early year of school a major focus is placed on teaching explicit phonics teaching, to develop phonological awareness and reading fluency . As students become more experienced a greater focus in placed on extending comprehension skills.
Writing at St Therese’s involves the process of conceiving, planning, composing, editing and publishing a range of texts. It involves using appropriate language for particular purposes or occasions, both formal and informal, to express and represent ideas and experiences. It involves the development of knowledge about strategies for writing and the conventions. The teaching of grammar and spelling is taught explicitly to support them with writing.
Literacy teaching is integrated into all areas of the curriculum so that learning connects the students to the real world providing relevance and purpose.
Literacy Intervention
Short-term literacy intervention, is provided through a selection criteria. It is regular, intensive, small-group instruction, which supplements classroom literacy teaching. It is designed to support struggling readers with strategies to further support their progress in Reading. Particular attention is given to supporting student with their phonological awareness to build skill in learning to read.