Learning & Teaching News
How we Teach Reading
When we first teach children to read, we teach a sequence of sounds. For example, the first sounds we teach in Prep are ‘m’ ‘s’ ‘t’ ‘a’ ‘p’ ‘i’ ‘f’ and ‘r’. Once students know these sounds, they can begin to read words such as ‘sat’ and ‘sam.’ Our teachers differentiate and will continue to teach the sequence of sounds as each student progresses, consequently being able to read books with more words.
Sequence of Sounds
Prep:
(m, s, t, a, p, i, f, r)
(o, c, d, h)
(e, n, g, l)
(k, u, b, j)
Prep/Year 1:
(w, ck, ll, ff, ss)
(sh, qu, ee, z/zz)
(ch, v, x, y)
(wh, th, oo, ng, ay)
(CVCC, CCVC)
Year 1:
(ai/ay, ee/ea, oa/ow, igh/y, ew/ue)
(split digraph)
Year 2:
(ar, or/ore, er/ir/ur, ear/eer, air/are)
(ou/ow, au/aw, oi/oy)
Once students have learnt the sequence of sounds and can decode fluently, they continue to read books of interest, related to learning in other subjects, or books carefully chosen by their teacher for a particular purpose. Teaching reading continues right up to grade 6, and focuses on reading fluently and comprehending texts.
Reading over the holidays
Reading is not homework, it is integral to learning and life skills. Children (and adults really) should be reading texts every day. These could be books of interest, recipes, information books, eBooks, and other texts available to us. If children are not feeling up to reading (we all know we have those days), it’s important to read to them. When children are being read to they are developing a love for reading, their listening comprehension skills, their language and listening skills, strengthening fluency and expression by being modelled to, and can improve their working memory. When part of routine, it is also a special time together as a family and can enhance the bond between you and your child.
If your child is a beginner reader and is learning to decode words by sounding them out, they would have been bringing home decodable home reading books. Now that the year is coming to an end they are not bringing these books home anymore. I have listed some books and activities that you can do with your child/ren to keep their learning active:
- SPELD SA Phonic Readers have released free eBooks to read online. There are 10 sets, and each set focuses on different phonemes (letter sounds). Open each set and ask your child to “tell me what sounds these letters usually make.” If they can tell you the sounds, they are most likely capable of reading the books in the set. If they can’t tell you the sounds, then the books will most likely be too hard.
Furthermore, the Instructional Handbooks have corresponding activity sheets that you may like to print out and use with each book.
When engaging in extra work at home, it is very important to keep the learning positive. If your child is not engaged nor wanting to participate in the activity, it is important to step away. Learning at home should be about creating opportunities for your children to experience success with reading and learning. If in doubt, pick up a book, snuggle in bed or on the couch, and enjoy a good book together.
Have a great holiday break,
Aleesha Rockemer
Learning and Teaching Adviser
Compass - Parent Portal - Semester Two Reports
We have provided some instructions on how you can access your child's Semester Two Report using the Compass Parent Portal. Reports will be available on Monday 28 November (you will receive a message when they are ready). If you require any assistance please contact the school office.