Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction

Dear Parents and Carers,

This fortnight I have started working side-by-side with teachers. I have also enjoyed discovering that after over a year out of the classroom that I can, in fact, remember how to teach! What strikes me when I am in different classrooms, learning spaces and learning support groups is the great passion and dedication that the teachers at Oak Flats Public School have. It is clear that each teacher is working to the best of their ability to ensure that the needs of all students are being met. And, it is a privilege that I can play a small part in this.

I have also continued working with teachers to implement teaching and learning programs. In Years 3-6 we are focusing on developing student’s reading fluency.

Fluency is reading expressively with accuracy and at a good pace. It is one of the key components of learning to read - the progression from developing automatic word recognition skills to comprehension. Fluency includes the use of rhythm, phrasing, intonation, naturalness, and use of voice (for different characters/moods). It also includes accuracy (number of errors, compared to number of correct words read) and the rate (number of words read per minute).

Teachers have been assessing their students one-on-one to determine their individual needs and together we will be implementing strategies to support and extend them.

Ten Tips for Helping Your Child Read with Fluency

1. Read aloud to your child so they can hear examples of fluent reading. Don’t forget to include character voices!

2. Echo Read. Read a sentence and have your child read it back to you.

3. Have your child read to you each day. Look for different things to read - food labels, magazines, signs, comics etc.

4. Reread Books. Rereading is a great way to practice how to read with expression and correct pace.

5. Practice sight words. These words need to be read automatically in less than 3 seconds.

6. Listen to audio books. There are many online resources for listening to books.

7. Have a variety of books and other reading material at home for your child to read. Don’t forget that the library is a great place to get a variety of texts and books!

8. Encourage independent reading. Try making this a bedtime routine.

9. Keep it fun! Let your child choose books that they are interested in.

10. READ READ READ! The more your child practices, the better they will become.

Warm regards,

Emily Chatterton