{"id":452,"date":"2025-04-03T12:08:34","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T11:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/caledoniaps\/?page_id=452"},"modified":"2026-03-26T17:20:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:20:15","slug":"literacy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.glowscotland.org.uk\/gc\/caledoniaps\/literacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Literacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Phonics and Spelling at Caledonia<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

At our school, we use a structured and progressive approach to teaching phonics and spelling to ensure all children develop strong literacy foundations.<\/p>\n

Our Phonics & Spelling Programmes<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

In the early years (Infants), we use Monster Phonics<\/strong>. This is a multi-sensory phonics programme that uses colour-coded characters to represent different sounds. It supports children in making strong links between letters and sounds in a fun, engaging, and memorable way.<\/p>\n

As children progress into the middle and upper stages, we transition to North Lanarkshire Active Literacy<\/strong>. This programme builds on early phonics knowledge and focuses on developing spelling, reading, and writing skills through a structured and active approach. It supports learners in applying their phonics knowledge across different contexts.<\/p>\n

Why We Chose These Approaches<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

We have carefully selected these programmes to provide a clear progression in literacy learning:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Consistency and progression:<\/strong> Both approaches complement each other, ensuring a smooth transition from early phonics into more complex spelling and literacy skills.<\/li>\n
  • Active and engaging learning:<\/strong> Children learn best when they are actively involved, and both programmes promote participation through games, discussion, and practical activities.<\/li>\n
  • Inclusive practice:<\/strong> The multi-sensory nature of both programmes supports a wide range of learners, including those who may require additional support.<\/li>\n
  • Strong evidence base:<\/strong> Both programmes are widely used and support the development of confident, independent readers and writers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    What Your Child Can Expect<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

    A typical phonics or spelling lesson in our school will include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Revisiting and practising<\/strong> previously learned sounds or spelling patterns<\/li>\n
    • Explicit teaching<\/strong> of a new sound, rule, or pattern<\/li>\n
    • Active tasks<\/strong> such as word building, games, and partner work<\/li>\n
    • Reading and writing opportunities<\/strong> to apply new learning<\/li>\n
    • Opportunities for discussion<\/strong> to develop understanding and vocabulary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Lessons are designed to be interactive, engaging, and supportive, helping children to build confidence and independence in their literacy skills.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Reading at <\/strong><\/span>Caledonia<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

      At our school, we are committed to developing confident, fluent readers who enjoy reading and can understand and engage with a wide range of texts.<\/p>\n

      Our Reading Resources<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

      We use a carefully selected range of reading programmes and resources to support children at every stage of their reading journey, including:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Monster Phonics Readers<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Dandelion Readers and Launchers<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Songbirds Phonics<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Rapid Readers<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Reading Boxes<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Comprehension Express<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • Totem and Talisman<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        These resources provide a balance of decodable texts<\/strong>, which align closely with our phonics teaching, alongside books that support the development of reading strategies and comprehension skills<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

        Why We Use a Range of Texts<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

        We recognise that children need different types of reading experiences to become successful readers. Our approach ensures that:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Decodable books<\/strong> allow children to practise and apply the sounds they are learning in phonics, building accuracy and confidence<\/li>\n
        • Structured reading schemes<\/strong> support progression in fluency and expression<\/li>\n
        • Comprehension-focused resources<\/strong> help children develop skills such as predicting, questioning, summarising, and making connections<\/li>\n
        • A variety of texts<\/strong> keeps children engaged and fosters a love of reading<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          By combining these approaches, we ensure children are supported in both learning to read<\/strong> and reading to learn<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

          What Your Child Can Expect<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

          A typical reading session in our school may include:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Group or individual reading<\/strong> using appropriately levelled texts<\/li>\n
          • Opportunities to practise phonics skills<\/strong> through decodable books<\/li>\n
          • Explicit teaching of reading strategies<\/strong>, such as sounding out unfamiliar words, re-reading, and using context clues<\/li>\n
          • Discussion and questioning<\/strong> to develop understanding of the text<\/li>\n
          • Comprehension activities<\/strong> focusing on key skills like predicting, clarifying, and summarising<\/li>\n
          • Opportunities to share opinions<\/strong> and develop a love of storytelling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Our reading lessons are designed to be supportive, engaging, and progressive, helping every child to build confidence, fluency, and a deeper understanding of what they read.<\/p>\n

            \n

            Writing at Our School<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

            At our school, we aim to develop confident, creative writers who can express their ideas clearly across a range of contexts and genres.<\/p>\n

            Our Writing Approaches<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

            In the early years (Infants), we use Drawing Club<\/strong>, supported by Monster Phonics strategies<\/strong>. Drawing Club is a highly engaging, story-based approach where children develop ideas through talk, drawing, and imaginative play before moving into writing. This helps build confidence, creativity, and early sentence structure, while Monster Phonics supports accurate spelling through phonics.<\/p>\n

            As children move into the middle and upper stages, we use a combination of:<\/p>\n