Literacy and English
Language is at the core of thinking and at the centre of our learning. Through language our pupils gain much of their knowledge and many of their skills across the curriculum. The four main components of language are:
Talking , Listening , Reading, and Writing
The importance of Spoken English is emphasised at Newark Primary School.
From Primary 1 children are encouraged to develop their skills in talking and to articulate their learning.
At the early stages of reading we are using the North Lanarkshire programme of Active Literacy.
A wide range of reading texts is used in all classes.
Reading for pleasure, as well as for information, is encouraged throughout the school and we have a well-stocked library. We encourage the use of our local library and regularly visit it with our class.
At the early stages of writing we build on drawing and scribing sentences and introduce punctuation, vocabulary, sentence construction as the children progress.
We encourage children to develop a legible, fast, cursive style of handwriting.
As part of the Scottish Government’s 1+2 Languages Programme, French is taught throughout the school.
Teachers use many approaches including active learning, games, songs, role play and interactive whiteboard software to create relevant, coherent, enjoyable and successful learning experiences.