Literacy : A balanced classroom program

Our literacy program incorporates explicit learning experiences that assist students to develop skills in:

·         Reading

·         Writing

·         Speaking and listening

·         Oral language

Early Years classes (P – 4) are engaged in a daily two hour literacy block that reflects the philosophy of ‘whole language’.

What does the literacy session look like?

Reading Session:

Whole class focus (10mins) The whole class will focus on specific reading concepts and / or strategies through the use of a shared enlarged text.

Reading Workshops (40mins) The class is organised into small groups according to individual needs using a Task Management Board. Throughout the session, small  groups of students will work with the teacher in a guided reading session, whilst other groups of students work at various literacy tasks that are based upon the needs of each student. Parent helpers assist during this time.

Following  instructions:

Simple science experiments  - bubble blowing

Share Time (10mins) At the conclusion of the reading  session, students reflect on their learning and are encourage to share their reflections with the class. The teaching focus is on developing oral language skills.

Writing Session:

Whole class focus (15mins) The whole class will focus on writing skills, either

·         through the teacher modelling a piece of writing or,

·         the class and teacher working together to compose a piece of ‘shared writing.’

 

Writing Workshops (30mins) Students work in small groups or individually and are given the opportunity to focus on a range of writing activities. Activities include: diary entries, publishing, story writing, factual writing, handwriting clinics and specific writing tasks eg. Letters, diagrams, lists … The teacher will work with small groups according to individual needs and will use language experiences, interactive writing or guided writing as the teaching approach.

Share Time (5 – 10mins) At the conclusion of the writing session the whole class comes together and reflects on the learning that has occured. Once again the focus is on develooping oral language and listening skills.  

Middle Years classes (5 -6) are engaged in daily literacy tasks (reading, writing, speaking & Listening, oral language) that may be directly linked to community-based Action Projects, specific skill sets or learning activities. These tasks structured to best meet the needs of each individual student.

Numeracy : Links to ‘real life’ situations

Our numeracy program at Anglesea Primary School incorporates explicit learning experiences that assist students to develop skills in:

·         Number – Counting, Place Value, Addition/Subtraction, Multiplication/Division

·         Measurement – Length, Mass, Volume, Time

·         Space – Mapping, Shapes, Location

·         Chance and Data

Each student is engaged in a daily, one hour numeracy session. A key element of the classroom program is the development and implementation of purposeful and effective learning experiences.

These experiences are at the point of need for each student and are linked to ‘real life’ situations. They involve many ‘hands on’ tasks.  Students will regularly participate in small group workshops with the teacher. This allows the teacher to provide explicit instruction and to extend each students skills.

What does a Maths session look like?

Mathematics  Session:

Whole class focus (5 -10mins) The whole class will engage in a ‘tools’ activity that will switch them on to mathematical thinking.

Learning experiences & Focus Workshops (40mins) Students engage in a learning experiences using a range of ‘hands on’’ materials and mathematical tools. This may include specific  Maths Projects.

       Pancake making                             Investigating fractions

Focus workshops: A group of students or an individual student will work with the teacher in a guided session that has been planned at their point of need, while remaining groups of students work on their learning experiences.

Share Time (10mins) At the conclusion of the  session students will reflect on the strategies used and developed during the task and are encouraged to use mathematical  language to express their thinking to the rest of the class.

 Maths Projects:

Year 3 /4 students: Cityscape – Melbourne                                                      Peace garden mosaic. 

 Money Maths – Art Gallery 

Family Maths evening:

‘Footy Fever Night 2008

Year 3 /4 students developed and presented a range of mathematical activities to engage all family members in learning tasks that evolve around the game of ‘Aussie Rules’ to help celebrate ‘150 years of AFL Football’ and mathematical thinking. There were four quarters of laughter and fun filled activities. Everyone was a winner! 

Maths ‘Snapshot’ Week

A ‘Maths Snapshot’ is conducted Week 5 of each term. All students take home a sample of tasks they are investigating in maths sessions with a covering letter that outlines the current class focus for that week. This is a fantastic communication tool that we use to share a student’s mathematical learning with their family.