English

At Montpellier Primary School the daily Literacy Block incorporates two hours of Reading, Writing and Speaking and Listening. Our main aims are to develop a love of literacy and prepare students so they can participate actively and effectively in a literate world.

Reading is a valued and empowering activity which enables students to construct meaning and make sense of their world.  The school provides a positive reading environment to encourage students to value reading and support their reading development.  Students are involved in a range of appropriate reading tasks, have access to a wide variety of texts and are taught reading behaviours through modelling and demonstration.  Teachers work one on one with students to develop their reading strategies and comprehension skills.

Writing is a way of communicating through a process of constructing messages and representing ideas, feelings and information in print.  During the writing block students use a thinking skills approach to investigate and write a range of text types.  Students are supported to write interesting and informative pieces and there is a strong focus on the teaching of handwriting, spelling and grammar.

Oral language is the foundation for student learning.  It is essential in learning to read and write.  Successful use of language is critical for students' wellbeing.  Almost all classroom based learning relies on oral language.  Students are taught specific speaking and listening skills in areas such as vocabulary, following instructions, expressing opinions, conversing with others, phonics and grammar.