Curriculum Corner
UFLI Foundations
"Reading is a fundamental skill for success in school and in life. Reading ability affects a student's performance in every other aspect of school..." UFLI Foundations
As Mr Ru mentioned UFLI Foundations is our research based phonics program used to teach reading in our junior school, as well as for intervention support.
Teachers, and by extension schools, are always reflecting and trying to improve outcomes for their students. This is why primary school may look so different to when we attended ourselves. We are constantly reviewing our practices and striving to find the most effective ways to help our students. UFLI is research based, meaning not only has the program been extensively trialed in schools, but the University of Florida Institute who owns the program are constantly getting feedback from schools using the program across the globe.
UFLI is a structured program that begins in Prep and sequentially moves forward until the end of Year Two. The programs content stems from two proficiencies, that when we look at make a lot of sense! These are:
Students need to be able to perform skills accurately - In a reading sense, this means identifying what letters are called, blending words successfully and later reading words aloud correctly.
Once a student can perform a skill accurately, they need to develop automaticity with that skill - In a reading sense this means that our students knowledge 'sticks', they are able to dedicate their mental load to other skills because they can read letters and words with minimal effort. This takes lots of practice over time and sees our students grow as readers.
The UFLI program promotes both of these proficiencies in each lesson. We have a very structured Literacy block and our students know walking in the doors each morning that a majority of their days will begin with their reading and writing instruction.
UFLI promotes Effective Instruction in Foundational Reading Skills, which as mentioned before, is about ensuring teaching staff are delivering content in the most engaging and accessible way for our students as possible.
UFLI lists a number of key features of effective instruction, but realistically when visiting a classroom you will see these strategies used all day and across all of our curriculum areas. We are so lucky to have so many amazing teachers here at St Anthony's and you can walk into any of our rooms and see students are engaged and loving the time they spend with their teacher. Please see some of the key features of effective instruction as per UFLI below:
As the year goes on we will use this section of the newsletter to outline our curriculum programs, including further information about UFLI. Please, never hesitate to contact me if you ever have questions about anything curriculum related at school!
Further to this we look forward to the opportunity to welcome our parents into classrooms at next week's Open Afternoon! Come and visit if you are able and you will get to see UFLI in action as well as the effective instruction skills listed above!
Happy Reading!
Tim O'Mahoney
Curriculum Leader