English study is mandatory in NSW from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Language is the primary means by which we relate to others and is central to the intellectual, social and emotional development of all students. Students’ access the English language through spoken, written and visual texts of varying complexity through which meaning is shaped, conveyed, interpreted and reflected.
The study of English should develop a love of literature and learning and be challenging and enjoyable. It develops skills to enable students to experiment with ideas and expression, to become active, independent and lifelong learners, to work with each other and to reflect on their learning.
Rationale:
English/Literacy develops student's knowledge, skills expertise in the understanding of the English language and literature. It is based on an approach to language that describes the ways that people use language:
· To interact with others
· To create and interpret texts
· To develop understanding about the world and ourselves
Implementation:
Mayfield East Public School teachers and students use language to explore and analyse how language works in different contexts such as:
· Computer graphics
· Text forms
· Written and/or typed letters
· Multi media
· Novels
· Film studies
· Public speaking
· Debating
· Explicit studies of texts
Through learning about language in context and the conventions used in language, students will develop the skills and knowledge to enable them to be confident literate learners in our society.
Mayfield East Public School addresses the three major strands of literacy of
· Talking and listening
· Reading
· Writing
Synthetic Phonics: Mayfield East Public School implements this program across all Kindergarten classrooms. This program focuses on the explicit teaching of each letter sound and ensures students become independent in forming letters correctly. Once students have a solid understanding of individual letter sounds, the program moves on to blending CVC words and decodable texts.
L3K/ L3S1: Language, Learning and Literacy (L3) is a research-based program that is implemented in Kindergarten, Year One and Year Two classrooms during the literacy session, targeting students reading and writing. Students receive explicit instruction in small groups for both reading and writing, ensuring that their individual needs are being targeted.
FoR: The Focus on Reading program supports teachers explicitly teach reading strategies that will enable students to access the range of texts they are required for comprehension. The program emphasises the integrated teaching of six comprehension strategies; making connections, predicting, questioning, monitoring, visualising, summarising.
Making Up Lost Time in Literacy – MiniLit: The MiniLit program supports teachers explicitly and effectively model reading skills to students. MiniLit targets students who require extra support to assist them to work towards achieving Stage outcomes. Within these small group sessions, students work with a teacher to develop their knowledge of sounds, words and ability to read more complex texts at an increased independent level.
Making Up Lost Time in Literacy – MultiLit
A reading program that addresses the needs of students 7 years and over who require intense, heavily structured and systematic instruction in reading and related skills carried out within a positive teaching environment. This program working in small groups with a teacher to ensure that their needs are being met. Parents/Carers are contacted for approval for their child to be on the program, which will run for approximately 10 weeks at a time.
The three main features of the program are:
· Phonics/word attack skills
· Sight word recognition
· Supported reading in a one on one context (texts are matched to the child after an instructional benchmark is established)
Nightly Reading Program:
Mayfield East Public School promotes nightly reading through ongoing purchasing of suitable texts catering for the needs and abilities of all students. Students are benchmarked to ensure appropriate matching to text levels and nightly reading activity is recorded in a nightly reading handbook.
Students receive a certificate in our weekly assembly to celebrate their achievements when they reach 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250+ nights of reading. Teachers liaise with parents/carers to encourage participation.
Premiers Reading Challenge:
Mayfield East Public School is an active participant due to the quality of the texts selected for the challenge. It enables students to set goals in regard to the number of books read and they receive encouragement to participate in the reading of texts selected for their quality.
This program is co-ordinated by the school's literacy co-ordinator and librarian.
Learning and Support Teacher - LsT:
This teacher works closely with classroom teachers to support the development of individual or group activities targeted to identified student’s needs. The LsT also supports teachers through assessment in literacy and numeracy.
Assessment and Reporting:
Reporting procedures are according to the Department of Education and Training guidelines and are completed twice a year. Parents are able to request an interview to discuss their child's progress through the front office.