Teaching, Learning and Wellbeing
Knowledge-Based Literacy
At RGLPS, teachers use a Knowledge-Based approach to Literacy, to help students become stronger readers and writers.
The rationale for this shift in pedagogy is grounded in research. When children learn new ideas and skills at the same time, their brains can get overloaded—this is called cognitive load. By building students’ knowledge in history, science, and vocabulary prior to instruction, learning essential literacy skills becomes much easier. Students can focus on understanding what they read and expressing themselves clearly, rather than struggling with learning new concepts at the same time.
For this reason, we teach reading and writing through rich knowledge based content. Students explore quality texts while learning about the world around them—making literacy learning more engaging and effective.
In Term Two, each year level at RGLPS will study a history or science topic alongside a literature/text studies unit:
Term Two 2026
| Year Level | Knowledge Based Literacy Unit | Literature/Text Studies |
|---|---|---|
| Prep | Me and My Family (History) | Our Class is a Family Alexanders Outing Australian Nursery Rhymes |
| Year 1 | Earth's Natural Treasures (Earth and Space Science) | Edward the Emu Fish is Fish Elmers Special Day Sunday Chutney |
| Year 2 | Bend It, Stretch It (Chemical Science) | Fantastic Mr Fox Jessica's Box |
| Year 3 | Community, Remembrance and Celebrations (History - Cultural Celebrations) | Yira and her Deadly Demon |
| Year 4 | Australian History 1750 - 1800 (First Nations perspectives, First Contact) | The Wild Robot Home to Mother |
| Year 5 | Australian History 1800 - 1900 (Colonisation, Gold Rush) | Tom Appleby (Convict Boy) |
| Year 6 | Australian History 1900 - 2000 (Immigration, Federation, World Wars) | Sister Heart The Arrival |
By building knowledge across all subjects, we are helping students become more confident and capable learners.
As we draw to the end of Term One, I hope everyone enjoys the Easter School Holiday break.
I am hoping to have Term Two Team Newsletters available by the start of the second week of next term. Please keep an eye out for a Compass alert advising when they become available.
Kerron Worsdell
Learning Specialist