Literacy


 * ENGLISH **


 * Essence Statement **

English is crucial to effective communication and the foundation for all learning. English enables students to extend their knowledge and skills throughout their lives.


 * English at Kamo Primary School **

At Kamo Primary, our aim is for our pupils to be effective oral, written and visual communicators. English is integrated across all learning areas. At Kamo Primary, there are high expectations for pupils to become effective communicators in a variety of ways; through visual, oral, reading, writing, listening and speaking literacies.


 * Big Ideas **

Listening Reading and Viewing


 * Select and use sources of information, processes and strategies with some confidence in order to identify, form and express ideas.


 * Speaking, Writing and Presenting **


 * Involves using different language features and a range of structures to communicate meaning to express ideas clearly and confidently.

The New Zealand Curriculum: Writing at School
If your child is meeting the Writing Standard after one year at school they will be writing within curriculum level 1.

Their writing will be for many different purposes in many areas of the curriculum. Some pieces of writing they create might be reports about a visit (social sciences) or about caring for a pet (science). They will be able to read and talk about what they have written.

To meet the standard your child will be learning to:


 * show they can plan what they want to write about through talking, drawing or perhaps in words
 * link their story to their everyday experiences
 * use many words they know from their reading.

Make writing fun

 * Help your child write an alphabet letter, then go letter hunting in your house or in a book to find that letter.
 * Let your child see you writing – you can use your first language.
 * Encourage them to write shopping lists or make birthday cards.
 * Water and a paintbrush on a dry path and a stick on sand are fun ways to write letters and words.

TIP: Don’t worry if your child’s letters or words are sometimes backwards or misspelt at this age. The important thing is that they have fun writing at home and are making an effort.

Give them reasons to write

 * Write to each other. Write notes to your child and leave them in interesting places, like their lunch box. Ask them to write a reply.
 * Help them email, text or write to family, whānau or friends.
 * Show them how letters and words are formed.
 * Work with them to put labels on special things – like the door to their room or their toy box.

TIP: Display their work. Be proud of it. Share it with others.

Talk about their writing

 * Talk about the letters in your child’s name and where the name comes from.
 * Help them create a scrapbook with pictures.
 * Encourage them to write stories under the pictures and talk to you about them.
 * Ask them to write about pictures they draw - on paper or on the computer. Get them to tell you the story. Write or type the story under their writing if they want you to.

TIP: Talk about what your child writes. Be interested. If you don’t understand what your child’s picture or story is about, ask them to explain.

Encourage writing

 * Have felt pens, pencils, crayons and paper available.
 * Put magnetic letters on the fridge – ask what words they can make with the letters.