Looking for a balanced approach to reading acquisition that includes sight skills, phonic understandings and whole text principles and considers the young child’s developmental level and learning style? This course outlines a practical, sequenced early reading program suitable for ES1 and S1. Areas covered include; phonemic awareness, concepts of print, sight words and blending (the Alphabetic Principle). We explore and discuss the diverse nature and literary understanding of Kindergarten children and the value of oral language and exposure to literature. Methods supporting reading for meaning are given; assessment tools detailed and early writing samples analysed and discussed. As correct letter formation and conventions of print are relevant to literacy acquisition these are also covered.

Please bring pen and note paper. Course notes will be provided. Please bring some samples of students writing. First drafts would be useful.