We are powerful learners ...

English

InitiaLit

At LNPS, starting Term 1 2020, Year 1 / 2 classes will begin implementing a synthetic phonics approach through a program called InitiaLit - 1 and InitiaLit - 2 (Year 1 and 2). 

InitiaLit is an evidence-based whole-class literacy program providing all children with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations to become successful readers and writers. The three-year program, covering the first three years of school (Reception to Year 2) provides strong foundations in reading and writing, in the hope that fewer children will fall behind and require more intensive intervention. 

InitiaLit will become an Early Years reading program that incorporates a synthetic approach to the teaching of phonics alongside a rich literature and vocabulary component. It will ensure that there is consistent instruction across classrooms in a year level. This approach will ensure our students are exposed to the best literacy instruction focussing on vocabulary, oral language and comprehension through quality children’s literature. 

Implemented across four terms, InitiaLit focusses on the main components of the reading process:

• Oral Language

Phonological Awareness

Phonics

Comprehension

Fluency 

Vocabulary  

InitiaLit - 1 (Year 1 ) program structure

25 minutes of whole-class teaching 

10 minutes of spelling as the lesson directs

30-40 minutes of small group and independent work (using targeted and differentiated activities to consolidate the teaching that has taken place during the whole-class lesson)

15-20 minutes for a Storybook session incorporating vocabulary, world connections and specific genre writing tasks

Ongoing progress monitoring using curriculum-based assessments to identify and respond to the needs of children.

We encourage all families to attend our Parent Information Evening - Register via Eventbrite link.

InitiaLit - 2 (Year 2) 

The program focusses on consolidating children’s reading and spelling skills, working specifically on reading comprehension, fluency, spelling and vocabulary.

InitiaLit–2 has four main components:

Spelling

This component reviews phoneme-grapheme correspondences and spelling concepts taught. Children will also learn new spelling rules and morphological concepts.

Reading comprehension and fluency

In this component, children will be taught comprehension strategies explicitly and how to apply them to different types of text. They will also be given regular opportunities to work on reading fluency through echo, choral and paired reading.

Grammar

Children will be explicitly taught key grammatical features and how to apply them to a writing task.

Vocabulary, oral language and comprehension through children’s literature. 

InitiaLit–2 program structure includes the following:

Two comprehension and fluency lessons per week (approx. 40 minutes each)

Three spelling lessons per week (approx. 20-30 minutes each)

Two storybook lessons per week (approx. 30 minutes each)

Grammar lessons during writing lessons

Reading groups 

Ongoing curriculum-based assessments 

We encourage all families to attend our Parent Information Evening - Register via Eventbrite link.

Bookmaking

Bookmaking is an important part of English as it encourages students to create their own pieces of writing on topics they are interested in.  It gives them an opportunity to use the variety of features and strategies that authors have used in books they have been listening to and learning about during lessons and discussion times throughout the day.  By making their own decisions about characters, plot, setting and writing features, students can use their imagination to express ideas and entertain others.

Maths

Our understanding of what Maths is continues to evolve and change like other areas of study, as more is found out about brain functions and how we learn.  What has become apparent, is that every aspect of our lives is linked to Maths as we count, compare, sequence, pattern, measure, organise, recognise shape, and learn words to express position and location.

The focus in Maths for Semester 1, is to develop students' number sense so that they are fluent, flexible and can use useful and efficient strategies when working with number.  They are then able to use number with understanding, reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Crucial for success is to be able to trust the count and to count with understanding.  This will enable students to use number in multiple ways and in a wide range of contexts.

ICT

All Year 1 and 2 students have the opportunity to use information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the form of iPads and Chromebooks, provided in each learning area, to support and enhance teaching and learning programs at LNPS.  The purpose of ICT’s is to enable students to develop research skills, become fluent with device functions and features of programs, to stimulate creativity and to develop responsible internet citizens with an awareness of the need for cyber safety. 

Parents are asked to read and discuss the areas covered in the LNPS Acceptable Use Policy for Digital Devices, Computer Network and Internet Services Reception - Year 7 before signing and returning to the school.  A copy of the Policy and Agreement will be coming home today (14/2/20).