K-6 English
In English, students learn to read, write, talk and listen. They learn about English language and literature, how language varies according to context and how to communicate to a range of audiences for different purposes. They learn to read for information and for pleasure. They learn about poetry, novels and plays. They gain a sound grasp of language structures, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
English
Through the study of English students learn about the power, value, and art of the English language for communication, learning and enjoyment. Developing proficiency in English enables students to become confident communicators, critical and imaginative thinkers, and lifelong learners. Students develop their language skills through activities involving speaking and listening, reading, and writing, and viewing and representing. They learn about language and literature through working with a wide range of print, spoken, visual, media, multimedia, and digital texts.
Direct Instruction English Program InitiaLit in K-2
At Salamah College, the InitiaLit program is implemented in K-2 classrooms. 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. InitiaLit is a three-year direct instruction program, covering the first three years of school (Kindergarten to Year 2). InitiaLit offers an explicit and effective model for teaching reading and related skills to children in a fun and engaging way.
Initial it focuses on the following components:
- Phonics – to systematically and explicitly teach the basic and advanced alphabetic code in a set sequence. In addition to learning letter-sound correspondences and how these are applied to reading and spelling, children will be introduced to common morphemes and simple grammatical concepts.
- Vocabulary, oral language and listening comprehension through quality children’s literature.
- Spelling – children will learn spelling rules and morphological concepts.
- Reading comprehension and fluency- children will be taught comprehension strategies explicitly and how to apply them to different types of text.
Grammar – children will be explicitly taught key grammatical features and how to apply them to a writing task.
Explicitly Teaching English Units in 3-6
At Salamah College, the 3-6 English units incorporate explicit instruction and effective teaching practices based on evidence-based learning. Our units have a more explicit focus on writing in the curriculum to help learners think about the significance and implication of ideas. Students will learn skills to express their ideas clearly by writing texts for a variety of contexts, purposes, and audiences. Students are engaged in studying a wide range of literature based on a variety of types of texts; imaginative, persuasive, informative.
Students develop an understanding of texts and learn to create their own texts through the process of text study.
The 3-6 English Syllabus Focus Areas are:
- Oral Language and Communication
- Vocabulary
- Reading Fluency
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding and Responding to Literature
- Creating Written Texts
- Spelling
Handwriting and Digital Transcriptions
Spelling Mastery
Students in Years 3 – 6 are developing their spelling skills through the Spelling Mastery Program. Spelling Mastery is a research-proven method that employs the Direct Instruction method to enable teachers to deliver highly interactive, structured lessons that help students learn dependable spelling skills. Spelling Mastery approaches spelling through strategies, patterns, and rules. The straightforward lessons in Spelling Mastery combine phonemic, morphemic, and whole-word instruction to make spelling easier to learn and pave the way for effective writing.
Public Speaking
At Salamah College we teach children the skills and etiquette associated with public speaking. Public speaking helps students develop confidence and build up their self-expression skills and their self-esteem. Students in Years 3-6 are provided with the opportunity to select a topic of interest to research and present in a speech. Teachers used criterion-based rubric to evaluate student work, providing clear expectations and consistent feedback. Finalists per grade represent the school at an inter-school competition between both Al Amanah Campuses (Bankstown and Liverpool) and Salamah College.
