English Learning Programs
Research shows that strong English skills are associated with success in the general curriculum. English and Mathematics skills also lay the foundation for an active and successful participation in life. Mount Blowhard Primary School uses evidence-based approaches to English teaching. Staff undergo regular professional learning to ensure we are using the best possible teaching methods.
Our Reading Program involves:
Systematic Synthetic Phonics: In Foundation to Year 3 we use the ‘Get Reading Right’ program. This program explicitly teaches each sound and letter combination in a sequential way, ensuring there are no gaps in student knowledge. Students practice these sounds by reading decodable books, which are linked to the sounds they are learning.
Comprehension: We explicitly teach reading comprehension strategies so that students are learning to understand what they read, right from the time they begin school. Teachers use a consistent language about reading across the whole school, so students move seamlessly between classes. Our aim is for all students to read with accuracy, understanding and confidence.
Community: We have a strong Buddy Reading program where senior students read to and with Foundation students each week. In partnership with families, we set up strong home reading routines.
Additional Support: We use a range of support programs depending on the needs of particular students. These include: an intervention program designed to assist Year 1 students who are at risk of falling behind in reading and writing; MULTILIT (Making Up for Lost Time in Literacy), a support program for older students; and a phonological awareness program developed by Speech Therapists.
Our Writing Program involves:
Writing: Our writing program is based on 'Seven Steps', and is taught across all year levels. 'Seven Steps to Writing Success' is a writing program that empowers teachers to inspire their students, and most importantly, learn to love writing!
Text Types: Students are explicitly taught how to write for different purposes and audiences. Students write from their very first weeks at school, communicating their ideas and experiences. As students mature, they learn best when they feel their learning is relevant to their lives. Senior students write for a range of meaningful purposes.
Spelling: We use the 'Spelling Mastery' program to ensure students explicitly learn all the spelling rules in a sequential way. Spelling occurs simultaneously at the same time every day across the whole school so students can be grouped according to their learning needs. At the same time, Foundation/Year 1 are doing their phonic program. In this way we are able to both extend and support student learning in this essential area of English.
Handwriting: We explicitly teach handwriting so students learn and practice correct letter formation. This helps ensure they are able to focus on the content of what they write because their handwriting is smooth and fluent.
Systematic Synthetic Phonics: In Foundation to Year 3 we use the ‘Get Reading Right’ program. This program explicitly teaches each sound and letter combination in a sequential way, ensuring there are no gaps in student knowledge. Students practice these sounds by reading decodable books, which are linked to the sounds they are learning.
Comprehension: We explicitly teach reading comprehension strategies so that students are learning to understand what they read, right from the time they begin school. Teachers use a consistent language about reading across the whole school, so students move seamlessly between classes. Our aim is for all students to read with accuracy, understanding and confidence.
Community: We have a strong Buddy Reading program where senior students read to and with Foundation students each week. In partnership with families, we set up strong home reading routines.
Additional Support: We use a range of support programs depending on the needs of particular students. These include: an intervention program designed to assist Year 1 students who are at risk of falling behind in reading and writing; MULTILIT (Making Up for Lost Time in Literacy), a support program for older students; and a phonological awareness program developed by Speech Therapists.
Our Writing Program involves:
Writing: Our writing program is based on 'Seven Steps', and is taught across all year levels. 'Seven Steps to Writing Success' is a writing program that empowers teachers to inspire their students, and most importantly, learn to love writing!
Text Types: Students are explicitly taught how to write for different purposes and audiences. Students write from their very first weeks at school, communicating their ideas and experiences. As students mature, they learn best when they feel their learning is relevant to their lives. Senior students write for a range of meaningful purposes.
Spelling: We use the 'Spelling Mastery' program to ensure students explicitly learn all the spelling rules in a sequential way. Spelling occurs simultaneously at the same time every day across the whole school so students can be grouped according to their learning needs. At the same time, Foundation/Year 1 are doing their phonic program. In this way we are able to both extend and support student learning in this essential area of English.
Handwriting: We explicitly teach handwriting so students learn and practice correct letter formation. This helps ensure they are able to focus on the content of what they write because their handwriting is smooth and fluent.