Literacy

At Buninyong Primary School, we have high expectations that all students will reach their full potential. We understand that Literacy learning is developmental and we use oral language as a foundation (for clarifying and reasoning) for all learning in Literacy. At BPS we want our children to engage in, and be enthusiastic towards Literacy and we encourage all students to capitalise on their personal interests for both reading and writing, whilst also branching them into other areas which may interest them.

Because of the strong links between speaking, listening, reading and writing, students are encouraged to read like a writer, read real texts by real authors, and write texts for a known audience with a clear understanding of the purpose. We believe oral language provides the opportunity to clarify thinking prior to reading and writing. As readers, writers, spellers, speaker and listeners, students should always be encouraged to build on their prior knowledge to explore new possibilities.

Our teachers plan modeled, shared, guided, interactive, reciprocal and independent lessons which incorporate the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model and student interests. Our teachers also understand that the classroom environment must foster and motivate a student’s literacy learning and regularly provide these opportunities through visual displays, a variety of texts to read (both electronic and hard copy) and experiences where students can explore and develop interests as readers and writers.

We believe that the teacher should always know the existing prior knowledge of their class according to the Developmental Continuum in order to identify and plan personal, group and class learning goals.For those children who may find it difficult to find the links that exist between speaking, listening, reading and writing we offer two remedial programs, MiniLit and MultiLit. Please click below to find out more.

• MiniLit and MultiLit @ BPS