Learning &

  Teaching

Home reading is key to students embedding reading skills and becoming confident readers. Each child learns differently and when setting up routines or choosing appropriate reading material it can look different depending on their age, likes and learning needs.

In the junior school, this often means being read to by others and engaging in conversations about stories. Eventually, students develop reading skills and begin to bring home simple level-appropriate texts that enable them to demonstrate how to apply their letter-sound knowledge, develop their confidence and create a love of reading.

In the middle and senior years, students continue to build their literacy skills, including their vocabulary, reading fluency and comprehension. As part of their learning, students have daily opportunities to explore new reading strategies, learn new words and engage in conversations about different types of texts. 

While these skills are taught at school,  students need ongoing practise at home to retain their learning. This week, as part of our Startup program teachers are supporting students to develop routines to complete and record their reading in their home learning diaries. Next week teachers will begin to send home readers and other reading materials to support this routine. They will share expectations and procedures for home reading in their community and ensure that students bring home appropriate books each week. 

It is important that parents and teachers work together to make home reading a successful and positive experience. Please work with your child to establish a consistent routine that helps them to continue to develop their love of reading. If this turns into a stressful time, please consult your child’s class teacher for advice.