English

English

The study of English helps create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens. It is through this study that individuals learn to analyse, understand, communicate with and build relationships with others and with the world around them.

Writing

The writing program this semester will include Narrative and Exposition text types. Through these texts students will be able to express creative ideas, develop vocabulary, explain and justify points of view .

Through 15 min daily writing tasks students will be able to focus on the conventions of writing  such as punctuation, paragraphing and sentence structure. They will be provided with opportunities to refine proof reading and editing skills which  complete the writing process.

Reading

Reading has always been an important skill. In our modern world it is more important than ever. 

Your child will bring home a ‘Just Right Book’ every night to practise their reading . The aim of the homework reading program is not for children to read more difficult books as quickly as possible, but rather to enjoy reading and practise some of the skills and strategies they have learnt at school.

 Students will engage in a variety of experiences where they will be  responding to literature through 'Read Aloud' sessions and discussions of a selected class novel.

Comprehension skills  categorised as being a Here, Hidden or Head strategy, depending upon how information is gathered by the reader to comprehend, will be developed through the novel study.

Premier's Reading Challenge

Students are encouraged to participate in the 2018  Premier's Reading Challenge. The Challenge requires students to read 12 books between the beginning of the school year and early September.  The books read need to be recorded on the offical   Student Reading Record sheet which is attached.

Word Study

Students will continue to develop understanding of the four spelling knowledges (morphemic, visual, phonological and etymological) through Word Study workshops three times a week.

Through workshop learning  activities they will discover new spelling rules and generalisations which they are then expected to use when writing. Activities will focus on syllabification, long and short vowel sounds, suffixes and prefixes, homonyms and plurals.

Speaking and Listening

To develop speaking and listening skills, students will be involved in a variety of formal and more spontaneous activities throughout the semester. This will include scheduled oral presentations and active listening opportunities.