Literacy


Reading

Hesket ClassroomHesket Primary values the latest research when students are learning to read. Our Junior program is based around a synthetic, explicit and systematic approach, in short, meaning that all phonemes (sounds) are explicitly taught so that students can confidently decode new phonetic words; this we know is one of the most crucial early reading skills.

 

Alongside the explicit teaching of phonemes, student learn high frequency or ‘Camera Words’ to give confidence and fluency to reading.

 

Through whole-class reading, teachers model elements of quality reading across a range of text styles, including expression, fluency and comprehension strategies focused around the following areas:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Predicting
  • Activating and Connecting (Using Prior Knowledge)
  • Visualising
  • Questioning (Asking and Answering)
  • Summarising
  • Synthesising

Reading is not stand alone with links continually being made to Writing and Spelling.

 


Writing

Hesket Primary School bases their Writing hour on the Anne Angelopoulos Writing Model.  The program empowers students to become great writers by providing high-quality models within a structured framework and extended opportunities for daily practice. Right from Foundation, teachers model high quality writing and encourage students to experiment with new techniques in their own work. Teachers model the behaviours of great writers and set high expectations for students, resulting in work of an exceptional standard. 

 

At Hesket students:

  • build stamina by writing for extended periods every day
  • are explicitly taught strategies to enhance their writing
  • are engaged using a stimulus or visual prompt
  • brainstorm and are given effective vocabulary
  • are given sample texts and a plan
  • are given regular feedback
  • regularly publish, share and celebrate their work.


SMART Spelling

SMART spelling is a systematic, explicit and synthetic (SES) phonics approach. Spelling is best taught through pattern and regularity. In SMART spelling rules are taught in the context of words, in a way that builds on from prior years. This is why SMART spelling is a whole school approach.

 

SMART spelling is based around words with an emphasis on meaning and vocabulary development.  As well as the patterned words, children also practise words that come from their work, following explicit teaching in the classroom.  

 

There are two areas of knowledge that students need to develop to become independent spellers:

  1. Phonological knowledge is to do with sounds. It includes the ability to break words into syllables and individual sounds (phonemes)
  2. Orthographical knowledge is to do with letters. It is a visual skill that requires students to choose the correct letters that make a sound in a word.