Reading
At St. Joseph’s Primary School Mernda, we have a balanced approach to reading that targets individual student needs. We follow the Fountas and Pinnell program, which provides a comprehensive framework for teaching reading skills to students. The program uses the strategic wheel of reading strategies to ensure that each student receives the instruction and support they need to succeed in reading.
We celebrate growth in reading by identifying and teaching to student needs in reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. This means that we assess each student’s reading level regularly and provide targeted instruction based on their individual needs. We also provide ongoing support and encouragement to help each student achieve their reading goals.
Writing
At St. Joseph’s Primary School Mernda, we believe that writing is an essential skill that all students need to master. We use the 7 Steps for Writing Success program to ensure that our students receive the instruction and support they need to become confident and competent writers.
The 7 Steps for Writing Success program is a comprehensive approach to teaching writing that focuses on the genres of Narrative, Persuasive, and Informative Writing. We use this program from Years 2-6 to ensure that our students receive a consistent and structured approach to writing instruction.
Students in Foundation and Year 1 engage in the Language Experience Approach which integrates speaking and listening, reading and writing, through the development of a written text based on first hand experiences.
In addition to teaching the 7 Steps program, we also explicitly teach spelling and phonological awareness through the SMART Spelling approach. This approach focuses on teaching students the rules and patterns of spelling and provides ongoing support and reinforcement to help students master these skills.
Grammar and punctuation are also explicitly taught within writing lessons and 1:1 conferences. We believe that these skills are essential for effective writing and ensure that our students receive the instruction and support they need to master these skills.
Oral Language Play-Based Learning
At St. Joseph’s Primary School Mernda, we believe that oral language development is a critical foundation for future writing success. That’s why we place a strong emphasis on oral language play in our Prep and Grade 1 classrooms.
Oral language play involves creating a fun and engaging environment where students can experiment with language, explore new vocabulary, and develop their communication skills. We use a range of activities, such as storytelling, role-playing, and games, to encourage students to use language in creative and expressive ways.
This approach not only helps students to develop their oral language skills but also forms the basis of our writing instruction in these levels. By providing students with a strong foundation in oral language, we help them to develop the confidence and skills they need to become effective writers.
We have found that this approach leads to more authentic writing experiences for our junior students, which in turn produces more engaging and authentic writing samples. When students have a strong foundation in oral language, they are better able to express their ideas and thoughts in writing, leading to more meaningful and effective written communication.
We believe that oral language play is an essential component of our Prep and Grade 1 curriculum. By providing students with a strong foundation in oral language, we set them up for future success in both writing and communication.
At St. Joseph’s Primary School Mernda, we are committed to providing our students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in reading and writing. We believe that our unique approach to reading and writing instruction sets our students up for success both in school and in life.