Learning & Teaching

F-2 Literacy

In line with CESL Magnify, we are now into our second year using InitiaLit. InitiaLit is a structured and research-based literacy program designed to develop strong reading, spelling, and writing skills in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 students. We are excited to be implementing InitialWrite this year alongside InitialLit which is a MultiLit program to explicitly teach writing in the junior years. We are committed to providing the best start to literacy learning for all our students.

What is InitiaLit?

InitiaLit is a whole-class literacy program developed by MultiLit at Macquarie University. It uses a structured and explicit approach to teaching the key skills needed for reading and writing. Through daily lessons, students build strong foundations in phonics, reading, spelling and writing. The program is designed to ensure all children receive high-quality literacy instruction and develop the skills they need for future learning success.

What does InitiaLit look like in each year level?

Foundation

In their first year of school, children learn that words are made up of sounds, and these sounds are represented by letters. Through daily lessons, they are introduced to letters and sounds in a structured sequence. Teachers guide students in reading and spelling words, developing their vocabulary through engaging storybooks and activities. This early foundation is crucial for future literacy success.

Year 1

Building on their Foundation learning, Year 1 students deepen their understanding of letter-sound relationships, learning that combinations of letters can create different sounds. They also develop essential literacy terminology such as ‘vowel,’ ‘syllable,’ and ‘digraph.’ Lessons include whole-class instruction followed by activities where students apply their knowledge through reading, spelling, and writing tasks.

Year 2

By Year 2, students focus on reading comprehension and spelling, applying their phonics knowledge to decode and spell words confidently. They explore grammar, vocabulary, and fluency through engaging storybooks and structured lessons. Writing tasks are integrated into the program, reinforcing literacy skills in a meaningful way.

Building the Foundations for Lifelong Learning

InitiaLit provides a structured, engaging, and effective approach to literacy learning, ensuring all students build a strong foundation in reading and writing. By working together, teachers and parents can support every child’s literacy journey, fostering confidence and a lifelong love of learning. If you would like more details about each year's level program, please read the attached documents for a more comprehensive overview. 

How Can You Support Your Child at Home?

Parents play a vital role in reinforcing literacy skills. Here are some ways to support your child’s reading and writing development:

- Read together daily: Share storybooks, discuss characters and events, and introduce new vocabulary.

- Encourage phonics practice: Help your child recognise letters and sounds in everyday words.

- Play word games: Engage in fun activities like rhyming games, spelling challenges, and I Spy.

- Listen to your child read: Provide encouragement and help them sound out tricky words.

- Discuss stories: Ask questions about what they have read to enhance comprehension skills.

NAPLAN

This week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students completed their NAPLAN assessments, taking part in the Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Mathematics tests. We are incredibly proud of the way our students approached the week, showing focus, perseverance and a positive attitude throughout each assessment.

On Tuesday morning we unfortunately experienced some technical difficulties that were beyond our control, however our students demonstrated wonderful resilience and patience while the issue was resolved. It was fantastic to see everyone continue to give their best effort across all four days. Well done to all of our Year 3 and Year 5 students!