expressive vocabulary PHONOLOGY – Playing with sounds and words; Identifying speech sounds ORTHOGRAPHY – Awareness of print; Visual perception; Skills for handwriting.
Why do we need to be able to read for understanding? Critical Literacy is the ability to read texts in an active, reflective manner in order to better understand increasingly complex ideas, structures and vocabulary for different purposes. It involves reading critically – thinking about the identity and intent of the writer, and the social and historical context in which the text was written.
What outcomes are we looking for? Every child a competent reader and able
communicator. Making every moment matter so that children have confidence in achieving and are motivated to be the best they can be. Every parent/carer to play an important role in supporting their child’s learning and development in the vital literacy skills needed for life.
Scotland’s Future! ‘We want to develop a strong reading culture in Scotland where reading is a valued activity from the earliest age.’ Scottish Government Policy on Literacy, Nov 2010. ‘Being literate increases opportunities for the individual in all aspects of life, lays the foundations for lifelong learning and work, and contributes to the development of all four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence.’
What are we doing in classrooms?
Different types of literacy experiences are provided across learning. Variety of high quality, rich vocabulary books are used each week Listening & talking skills encouraged all the time Recognition of words, teaching of new vocabulary all through these books Less focus on learning words for the reading scheme – real reading for a real purpose – new vocabulary is introduced this way. Questioning is used to build understanding and transference of skills. Children learn how to differentiate types of questions. Skills progressions are used to track progress in learning. Tasks, activities and resources are set up around the classroom to embed learning. Active and collaborative learning are features of teaching. Literacy is fun and done for a real purpose!
What methods/resources are we using in school? Literacy Workshop Literacy Circles Literacy Hats Big Write Literacy Evolve Big Talk/Little Talk
Literacy Workshop Literacy in meaningful contexts. Daily opportunities to share stories,
rhymes and play with words Focussed observation used to identify and plan next steps in learning Tracking framework used to plan literacy experiences.
Every child has a role to play in working within the group. Novel study.
Big Write
To have a positive writing ethos throughout the school so that pupils develop confidence and pleasure in writing. To teach writing through a structured programme with prescribed targets and lesson aims which have to be taught from P 1 – 7. To teach writing in a structured way to ensure progression, continuity and consistency. To link planning, teaching and assessment in every writing lesson in order to raise levels of attainment/achievement in writing throughout the school. To link reading, writing, talking and listening.
How can you help? Encourage reading. Model it yourself! Switch off the technology now-and-again! Learn about the strategies we use to teach
children how to be critical, fluent readers and writers. Talk with your child – PLAY, TALK, LEARN Give us feedback through our exit passes
