| LITERACY
STRATEGY
Pedagogy
• In Years 1-3 our school program is based upon the
Early Years Program (and First Steps) and includes a Literacy
Block of 2 hours a minimum of 4 days per week. This literacy
block has a strong literature base and is integrated with
other Key Learning Areas, it involves ability based group
work for reading, writing, viewing, speaking and listening
activities. Teachers model skills and strategies regularly
and provide whole class and individual work as well as group
activity.
• Year 4-7 program is a composite of whole language
and functional language models. Literacy crosses all subject
areas and is taught through English and Thematic Units to
assist students to transfer literacy learnings across the
Key Learning Areas. Modelling the construction and de-construction
of texts is practiced to teach the planning priorities of
each grade (see support materials). Activities include whole
class, group and individual tasks.
• During a period of review and reflection
it was noted that our school consistently achieved above
like schools and state means in all external testing programs.
Whilst this was the case in all areas our writing results
were the least preferred and reflected lesser levels of
achievement when compared to our areas of extreme high achievement.
Writing improvement then became our school-based priority. The work associated with refining the
skills of writing continues alongside a close inspection
of the implications multi-literacies. Moderation of writing
samples occurs across the whole school.
• Consideration has been given to the implications
of ICT’s and keyboarding skills. The multiliteracies
focus is planned and included in the school based ICT initiatives.
• A whole school Assessment Policy includes internal
and external monitoring, and is articulated for all staff.
Samples of student’s work are collated in a folio
annually.
• Additional support is available to students with
special needs through the establishment of a reading support
program for older readers (Rainbow Readers).
• The role of the library has been reviewed and was
renamed an Information Resource Centre. This Centre
better supports research skills and literacy practice through
upgraded access to additional resources in all forms.
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