The study of English is central to the learning and development of our students. It is through the study of English that individuals learn to analyse, understand, communicate with and build relationships with others and with the world around them. Proficiency in English enables our students to confidently develop skills in other subject areas and ultimately to become informed, capable global citizens and active, ethical members of society. We want them to engage imaginatively and critically with literature to expand the scope of their experience and to develop their own, distinctive ways to represent and communicate their knowledge and understandings. (Italicised segments from the Australian Curriculum, English Rationale).
All students participate in Literacy Blocks a minimum of three times per week. These blocks of learning incorporate writing, speaking and listening, and viewing as well as reading, and provide an opportunity for the holistic development of literacy skills and concepts. Guided Reading is a vital component of Literacy Block and allows the teacher to provide explicit instruction to a small group of students, taking into account their individual needs, and is informed by information gained through PM Benchmark Running Records, previous lessons and oral reading.
Literacy Block Overview
Lesson intention
The intention of the lesson is clearly and simply outlined, with links to further application / real life.
Warm-ups
Warm-ups are practice opportunities to recall and revise concepts already learned, and introduce key information to support new learning. They are REPEATED frequently to fix the information in long term memory.
Lesson
I do
The teacher models the skills and strategies to be covered in the lesson.
We do
Teacher and students work together and the teacher guides the students in attempting key elements of the session.
You do (small group)
Children move into small groups to independently complete work at an appropriate level. Make expectations of what will be achieved very clear. One of the groups is a Guided Reading session with the teacher. Each child has access to at least one Guided Reading session per week.
Plenary
The group comes together to reflect on their learning.
The Premier’s Reading Challenge ~ Commercial by Secret Harbour Primary School students