Literacy

Vocabulary

How do we teach vocabulary in our school?

Students are exposed to rich texts at all levels of the school.  In Years F-2, teachers read picture storybooks with the children, and in Years 3-6, classes read novels and information texts.  These reading sessions include:

• Teachers reading aloud to students, modelling good expression and pace
• Individual students reading aloud to the class
• Choral reading, where the whole class reads with one voice, in time with the teacher
• Partner reading, where students take turns to read to each other

Texts are selected that are ‘advanced’ for students so that new vocabulary is introduced to them.  While reading, the teacher may briefly stop to explain a word.  At other times, words will be explicitly taught and practised either before or after reading.  These new words are revised during Daily Reviews, and children are encouraged to include them in their spoken and written language.

In the Year ¾ class, students get to ring a bell if they include a word from our Vocabulary Word Wall in their writing.