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:
Phonics: From Foundation to Year 2 we use the ‘Get Reading Right’ program. This program explicitly teaches each sound and letter combinations 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.
Sight Words: From Foundation students move through the 400 most used words. Having automatic recall of these words ensures students read fluently and effortlessly.
Comprehension: We explicitly teach comprehension strategies so that students are learning to understand what they read and hear right from the time they begin school. Teachers use a consistent language about reading, 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: Reading Recovery, 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:
Handwriting: We use formal handwriting books 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.
Text Types: Students are explicitly taught how to write for different purposes and audiences.
Students write from their very first day at school, communicating their ideas and experiences. As students mature they learn best when they feel their learning is relevant to their lives. Thus older students write for a range of meaningful purposes.
Spelling: Our program Spelling Mastery ensures students learn all spelling rules in a sequential way. Every morning at 9am students are either in a phonics program (Foundation/Year 1) or a spelling group. Spelling occurs across the school simultaneously, so students can be groups according to their learning needs. In this way we are able to both extend and support student learning in this essential area of English.
Phonics: From Foundation to Year 2 we use the ‘Get Reading Right’ program. This program explicitly teaches each sound and letter combinations 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.
Sight Words: From Foundation students move through the 400 most used words. Having automatic recall of these words ensures students read fluently and effortlessly.
Comprehension: We explicitly teach comprehension strategies so that students are learning to understand what they read and hear right from the time they begin school. Teachers use a consistent language about reading, 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: Reading Recovery, 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:
Handwriting: We use formal handwriting books 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.
Text Types: Students are explicitly taught how to write for different purposes and audiences.
Students write from their very first day at school, communicating their ideas and experiences. As students mature they learn best when they feel their learning is relevant to their lives. Thus older students write for a range of meaningful purposes.
Spelling: Our program Spelling Mastery ensures students learn all spelling rules in a sequential way. Every morning at 9am students are either in a phonics program (Foundation/Year 1) or a spelling group. Spelling occurs across the school simultaneously, so students can be groups according to their learning needs. In this way we are able to both extend and support student learning in this essential area of English.