The Science of Reading: Our Approach to Literacy Instruction

At Kosciuszko Street Primary School, we are committed to providing our students with a strong foundation in literacy through evidence-based practices informed by the science of reading. The science of reading refers to the extensive research and evidence surrounding how children learn to read and the most effective instructional methods to support their reading development.

We recognize that reading is a complex skill that involves the integration of various components, including phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Our approach to literacy instruction is designed to systematically and explicitly address each of these components, ensuring that our students become proficient readers.

Phonemic Awareness:

Phonemic awareness is the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. We prioritize daily phonemic awareness instruction using research-based programs such as Hegarty Phonemic Awareness Program. Through engaging and interactive activities, students sharpen their listening skills, develop phonological processing skills, and enhance their ability to distinguish individual sounds, which are crucial for reading and writing success.

Phonics:

Phonics instruction is a key component of our literacy program. We utilize a systematic and sequential phonics approach, following the highly effective Sounds-Write program. This evidence-based program focuses on explicit teaching of phoneme-grapheme correspondences, enabling students to decode words accurately and fluently. Our teachers follow a structured scope and sequence to systematically introduce and reinforce phonics concepts, ensuring a solid foundation in reading and spelling.

Vocabulary:

Explicit vocabulary instruction is integrated into our teaching practices. We believe that a robust vocabulary is essential for comprehension and expressive language development. Teachers provide explicit instruction on word meanings, context clues, and word relationships, equipping students with a rich and diverse vocabulary that supports their reading and communication skills.

Fluency:

Fluency refers to the ability to read with accuracy, speed, and expression. Our Fluency program, conducted three times a week, focuses on repeated readings of short passages. This practice enhances word accuracy, expression, and comprehension skills, helping students become more fluent readers who can read with ease and understanding.

Comprehension:

Comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading. We teach explicit comprehension strategies to help students understand, analyze, and interpret texts effectively. These strategies include making predictions, visualizing, summarizing, asking questions, and making connections. By explicitly teaching and modeling these strategies, we empower students to become active and proficient readers who can deeply engage with a wide range of texts.

Our approach to literacy instruction is grounded in the latest research and best practices, ensuring that our students receive high-quality teaching that addresses the foundational skills needed for reading success. By systematically and explicitly teaching the science of reading, we aim to develop confident, skilled, and lifelong readers at Kosciuszko Street Primary School.