Literacy


At Derrimut PS, we have a strong focus on building the foundations of learning through a structured literacy program, that concentrates on building a love of reading and writing through authentic experiences. Students read a range of familiar and rich literature texts, which allow them to practice reading and writing independently.  Each student is provided with a reading toolkit, where they are able to choose a range of Just Right books and interest books and are supported through rich language experiences.  Teachers provide students with a range of strategies on supporting their learning. These include, small group workshops, individual and group conferences and whole group explicit teaching,

 

These groups provide focused teaching for individuals at their point of need.  While teachers are working with these groups, children are independently reading and writing to work towards their individual learning goals. Assessments are conducted at the beginning of Term 1 and continue regularly throughout each term and for the rest of the year.

 

Reading

Reading is more than recognising or sounding out words.  It is seeing print and attaching meaning.  It is sharing ideas and information through print.  Children are surrounded by print from the day they are born.  Reading begins at home amidst all the print and talk that surrounds a child in the years before they come to school – and not all print is in books.  The breakfast table usually has plenty of print on it - the cereal packet, the margarine container, the bread wrapper.  So do signs in the neighbourhood, service stations and shops.  Whenever your child comments on print, be sure to respond enthusiastically.

 

How can you help your child to read?

  • read to your child everyday
  • expose your children to lots of texts
  • encourage your child’s responses
  • praise your child’s attempts
  • share book experiences with your child

 

Remember that encouragement is the key to success!

Other things you can do to help your children to read:

  • always read to your children for the pleasure of reading - they will develop a love of reading.
  • encourage them to value books - books will become prized possessions if they are well chosen and given as presents.
  • talk about a book and the author before you start reading.
  • let them see you reading - if they see you reading and enjoying books and magazines, your example becomes their best teacher.
  • sing nursery rhymes and jingles - clap them, sing them and get your child to join in and put in the words that you leave out.
  • picture books - talk about the pictures, encouraging them to point out things of interest.
  • let them choose from their favourite simple stories - they will get to know them so well that soon they will be reading them to their teddy bears.
  • join the local library and take your child along to join too.
  • encourage your children to read, stop, think and connect with the text.