Better Start Literacy Approach at St. Mary's Primary School.

This programme has been designed by a team at Canterbury University headed by Professor Gail Gillon. There is a micro-credential paper for teachers to complete as they are implementing this programme into their classroom.

The main focus for literacy to develop the children’s awareness of phonological sounds, reading, oral language, writing as well as enrich their language experience.

We use the new Ready to Read Phonic Plus books in a very structured programme set out by Canterbury University.

The Reading Plus books are designed in New Zealand for New Zealand kids. They contain Maori words in everyday situations and the characters (whether human or animal) flow throughout the books.

So far, we have noticed that the children’s knowledge of letter names and sounds has improved immensely and we are now moving onto learning blends. The children are learning to segment words by using their fingers (into sounds they know) and this is flowing into their writing.

The selected picture book section of this programme is proving a great hit with the children and through it, they are learning many new words to enrich their oral language.

Another highlight is the “games” the children play - BINGO is the favourite along with magnetic letters (to make up words).

Parents have reported an increase of interest in books at home and the children are using the secret code (finger segmenting) at home to sound out words and write words.