Literacy Initiatives
First Steps Programme
All of the First Steps Tutors are now trained and Reading & Writing are both up and running. Tutors and supporting teachers monitor the implementation and review progress. First Steps Speaking & Listening has been introduced and will run over a 2 year period. A plan is in place and is available in our D.E.I.S. Plan.
Reading Recovery
Literacy Lift Off
This is group intervention for the whole class-ideally groups of 4 but this varies based on class size. Initially the reading level of each child is established by testing them on P.M. plus level books. They are then grouped ability wise and work in 5 stations.
Senior Infants and 1st class have guided reading using P.M. levels working in groups according to ability. This will extend from 3rd-6th this year and in the coming year depending on resources.
Reading for Fun/C.A.P.E.R./D.E.A.R.
An initiative to allow parents to spend time with their children. Parents come in the classroom to read children’s books to the children-individually or in small groups.
Guided Reading:
This will continue in the class it has been introduced to. It has involved replacing class readers with chosen reading material so that children read at their own level. It has now been extended to all classes using selected novels in 3rd and 4th and a novel and Primary Planet in 6th.
All of the First Steps Tutors are now trained and Reading & Writing are both up and running. Tutors and supporting teachers monitor the implementation and review progress. First Steps Speaking & Listening has been introduced and will run over a 2 year period. A plan is in place and is available in our D.E.I.S. Plan.
Reading Recovery
- Reading Recovery was introduced in 2008. We now have 2 trained tutors in the school Cora Rochford, Resource and Learning Support Teacher, and Sinead Maxwell, class teacher. Sandra Grennan is training as a Reading Recovery tutor this school year.
- Reading Recovery caters for children from 5 years 9 months to 6 years 6 months
- Initial testing takes place on children identified by teachers.
- Children receive individual intervention and progress through the levels of P.M.readers appropriate to their ability.
Literacy Lift Off
This is group intervention for the whole class-ideally groups of 4 but this varies based on class size. Initially the reading level of each child is established by testing them on P.M. plus level books. They are then grouped ability wise and work in 5 stations.
Senior Infants and 1st class have guided reading using P.M. levels working in groups according to ability. This will extend from 3rd-6th this year and in the coming year depending on resources.
Reading for Fun/C.A.P.E.R./D.E.A.R.
An initiative to allow parents to spend time with their children. Parents come in the classroom to read children’s books to the children-individually or in small groups.
Guided Reading:
This will continue in the class it has been introduced to. It has involved replacing class readers with chosen reading material so that children read at their own level. It has now been extended to all classes using selected novels in 3rd and 4th and a novel and Primary Planet in 6th.
Oral Language Tips for Parents
These are the TOP Ten Tips for Parents/Guardians for Developing Oral Language with your child as supplied by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST)
Infants - 1st Class
2nd - 4th Class
5th and 6th Class
Infants - 1st Class
- Listen to what your child is saying/trying to say and respond to contributions.
- Make and maintain eye contact while talking with your child.
- Explain the meaning of words.
- Talk through activities.
- Talk through everyday experiences.
- Involve your child in discussions/plans.
- Ask/Answer questions.
- Teach your child nursery rhymes/songs/poems.
- Develop your child's receptive language by asking him/her to follow simple instructions.
- Assist your child to express ideas in an orderly fluent way.
- Read to your child each night.
2nd - 4th Class
- Set aside 10 - 15 minutes to discuss the day's happenings.
- Encourage your child to express and justify opinions.
- Involve your child in adult conversation when appropriate.
- Talk about the child's favourite T.V programme.
- Play language games which focus on words i.e. Scrabble, Crosswords.
- Encourage your child to talk about experiences with a wide range of people: peers, relations, other adults.
- Listen carefully and clarify meaning: "Do you mean/or is this what you mean?"
- Encourage your child to give reasons for decisions.
- Encourage your child to listen courteously to the opinions of others.
- Talk about school topics and assignments.
5th and 6th Class
- Encourage your child to develop a positive attitude to speaking/listening.
- Discuss your child's school work successes/concerns/interests.
- Respect your child's opinions and feelings.
- Involve your child in adult conversation, when appropriate.
- Help your child to extend his range of words in specialised subjects.
- Encourage your child to listen and respond courteously to others.
- Watch and discuss T.V. news/current affairs programmes together.
- Assist your child to locate information in local library, internet.
- Talk about school topics and assignments.
- Play commercial games that focus on word building.
