English


During literacy sessions, students develop their understanding and skills through a variety of whole group, small group and individual instruction, designed to cater for specific learning needs while encouraging each student to become independent readers and writers. Strong links are made between reading and writing and all students develop skills in a wide variety of genre as outlined in the Victorian Curriculum.

 

Active and effective participation in society depends on the ability to speak, listen, read, view and write with confidence, purpose and enjoyment in a wide range of contexts. Through language use, students convey and discover information, work through ideas and express feelings. Knowledge about how language functions and how it both reflects and shapes social attitudes, assists students to extend their understanding of themselves, other cultures and the world. 

 

Resources for promoting English/literacy at home

  • IXL English provides adaptive online practice for English skills

  • BBC Bite size: Topics include spelling, punctuation and grammar, reading, writing, speaking and listening
       - KS1 English (Prep - Year 2)
       - KS2 English (Years 3 - 6)

  • Kidport - A unique, multi-step program to teach Prep-Year 8 students thinking and learning skills.
     
  • Guide to writing an essay - An essay can have many purposes, but the basic structure is the same no matter what. If you follow a few simple steps, you will find that the essay almost writes itself. You will be responsible only for supplying ideas, which are the important part of the essay anyway.

  • POWA is an online writer's guide and handbook. Choose a topic such as editing, read the discussion, do an activity, move to another topic. There is something for everyone here.

  • Storybird is a visual storytelling platform for writers and readers of all ages

  • Storyline online features celebrated actors reading children's storybooks to inspire a love of reading

  •  International Children's Digital Library -  Aimed at primary students, this website allows students to access a diverse range of digitised books in their original language. Ultimately students will have access to ten thousand books in one hundred languages.

Home reading

At school, children read from a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts, which are targeted at the individual needs of each child. Children should also read at home each night for at least 15 minutes. Reading at home is about developing children’s ability to read independently, consolidating what they’re learning at school and fostering a passion for reading.

 

Parents are asked to read with their child for at least 15 minutes each weeknight, especially during the early years of primary school. We encourage parents to become involved in our reading program as volunteers in your child’s classroom at school, as well as at home.

 

Please see our Tips for Reading at Home resource for more information regarding ways that you can support your child with home reading.

 

To find out more about books that are appropriate to share with your child, please read the book lists made available on the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge website.