English
The Victorian Curriculum for English consists of 3 strands:
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking and Listening
The study of English is central to the learning and development of all young Australians. It helps create confident communicators, imaginative thinkers and informed citizens. It is through the study of English that individuals learn to analyse, understand, communicate with and build relationships with others and with the world around them. The study of English helps young people develop the knowledge and skills needed for education, training and the workplace. It helps them become ethical, thoughtful, informed and active members of society.
Reading – This includes students understanding, interpreting, reflecting upon and enjoying written and visual print and non-print texts. It involves reading and viewing a wide range of text types such as; novels, short stories, poetry and plays as well as popular fiction and non fiction works. It also involves developing knowledge about a range of strategies that can be used for reading.
Writing – This involves students in the active process of planning, composing, editing and publishing a range of written texts for print, electronic media and performance. Students learn to use appropriate language features, vocabulary and structures for particular purposes, to express ideas, issues, arguments, events and emotions.
Spelling - At St Patrick's junior classes use SMART Spelling, developed by Michelle Hutchison. SMART Spelling provides a structured model of teaching spelling and has an emphasis on meaning. Spelling rules and patterns are taught in the context of words, in a way that builds on learning from prior years.
Year 3-6 classes use a combination of Smart Spelling; Inquiry Spelling and the ACER Spell-It Programs.
Phonemic Awareness is explicitly taught in junior classes. All classes use THRaSS, which is an explicit program designed to teach children the different letter combinations that can be used to make sounds, in order to assist them with spelling. This program teaches students the 44 phonemes (sounds) in the English language and the most common spelling choices (graphemes) that relate to these sounds.
Speaking and Listening – This refers to the various formal and informal ways oral language is used to communicate. It involves the development and demonstration of knowledge about the appropriate oral language for particular audiences and occasions, including body language and voice. It also involves the development of active-listening strategies and the understanding of different spoken texts including everyday communication, group discussion, formal presentations and speeches, storytelling and negotiating.