In Rata, Pohutukawa and Piko Piko Classes, we have joined the University of Canterbury’s Better Start Literacy Approach.

The Literacy Approach involves the classes reading a shared story each week, which we then analyse and discuss to deepen our comprehension and enjoyment. 

We practice retelling the story and learn new vocabulary and Te Reo Māori words from the book.

Children also participate in Phonological Awareness (PA) Skill Building, which helps them to identify sounds in words, match phonemes (sounds) with graphemes (letters), and segment and blend words. The children can apply their PA knowledge to further reading and spelling activities. 

In addition, children have specifically planned small group reading sessions with appropriate decodable texts (for example using M-A-T to sound out the word mat).

The children are really enjoying their new learning and are showing amazing skill and progress in decoding written words and applying their new sound skills to their reading, spelling, and writing.Here are some photos of the children, working in small groups to apply their learning.