Language is at the heart of children’s learning. We place a great deal of emphasis on the teaching of reading, writing, listening and talking. At Morningside Primary, we fully implement the guidelines and principles outlined in North Lanarkshire’s Active Literacy Programme.

Reading

All pupils are encouraged to read a range of materials including levelled texts, novels and non-fiction books. At Morningside Primary School we actively encourage our pupils to read a range of materials both at home and at school. From an early age, pupils experience lessons to promote fluency and comprehension. This learning is evidenced in the children’s daily writing and reading-to- write activities. Pupils are taught to analyse the texts they read, using word attack and comprehension strategies.

Writing

Our aim is to encourage children to organise their thoughts and ideas, and to express them in the appropriate written form, with appropriate vocabulary. Spelling, grammar and handwriting are taught within the language programme and are related to the individual child’s needs. Children are given opportunities to produce pieces of extended writing in a range of genres, with real- life contexts related to the children’s own experiences or learning.

Listening and Talking

The school provides opportunities for a wide range of different kinds of talking and listening. Pupils are encouraged to listen to each other, to staff, to visitors. Listening and Talking is embedded into all aspects of literacy, especially reading and writing lessons.

Modern Foreign Languages

We are committed to developing a whole school approach to the teaching of Modern Foreign Languages, in line with the 1+2 Approach recommended by the Scottish Government. Children from Primary 1 to Primary 7 are taught French once per week by the Principal Teacher. Within the school, the decision has been made to work towards delivering Spanish as the ‘third’ language and we will work together to implement this over the coming years.