At Rashielea we love to read. Check out our latest book recommendations.
Reading
Reading is a fundamental life skill and is a key priority and focus in relation to attainment and learning and teaching in Rashielea. All children P1 – 7 are engaged in Reflective Reading approaches which teaches them how to discuss, analyse, infer and comprehend texts through summarising, predicting, questioning and clarifying.
We also engage children in Renfrewshire’s Dive into Reading approaches which further support comprehension by involving pupils in discussions about likes, dislikes and puzzles in relation to a range of texts (often referred to in class as 3 Sharings). Children are encouraged to respond to different texts and we strive to create a class and school ethos where everyone is motivated to read and where we all read for enjoyment.
Children in Primary 1 are taught Reading Strategies which are reinforced as they move through the school. These help the children to learn how to decode words or work out what words are using a range of ‘clues.
In the lower school, children work at ‘colour bands’ which reflect their current reading levels. Teachers regularly assess children’s reading and maintain Running Records which track progress across the bands. This ensures that all children work at the right level for them as individuals and prevents children being ‘stuck’ at levels where there are no opportunities to be challenged or progress at their own pace.
In the upper school, we use Accelerated Reading. AR is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice. Children select a book at their independent reading level and read at their individual pace. When finished, your child takes a short quiz on the computer. We have an extensive school library which has been developed over the years to provide high quality story books, novels and non-fiction materials which children can choose from.
Click on the icon to access the website to complete any book tests at home.
Writing
Children experience many different types/genres of writing –
* Personal: writing about own experiences
* Functional: writing for a purpose
* Imaginative: developing own ideas and thoughts
As with reading, writing is a key priority and focus in relation to attainment in the school. Children are encouraged to take part in regular EWIC (Everyone Writes In Class) which is low-stake writing and where they can write freely about topics of their choosing to practise their skills.
At Rashielea, we follow the Talk for Writing programme by Pie Corbett. It allows our learners to engage in a wide range of texts and genres which they can draw upon in their own writing. A key feature is that children internalise the language structures needed to write through ‘talking the text’, as well as close reading. The approach moves from dependence towards independence, with the teacher using shared and guided teaching to develop the ability in children to write creatively and powerfully.
For more information on this programme, follow this link – https://www.talk4writing.com/about/
Spelling
We have created progressive Spelling and Grammar programmes to ensure that children cover the key skills and spelling patterns P1 – 7. We take an active approach to spelling where children are engaged in a range of different activities to reinforce their weekly word lists.
Talking & Listening
Pupils learn to talk and listen to each other through many opportunities to work cooperatively, engage in discussions and debates, perform/talk to an audience and to listen and respond to texts and media. These are very important life skills and permeate all aspects of learning.
Assessment
For all aspects of literacy, pupils are encouraged to track their own progress and set personal targets/next steps for reading and writing which are discussed with their teachers in regular learning conversations and shared with parents/carers. Teachers also track progress for each individual pupil and this is discussed at regular attainment tracking meetings where support needs are identified and strategies put in place to address any barriers to learning.
Languages – 1 +2 Approach
For more information about the 1+2 approach to modern languages you can visit Education Scotland’s section for teachers on Language Learning – a 1+2 Approach. Parents may find some of this informative and relevant. Here you will find information on language learning in primary schools and video clips of language learning in action.
Learning other languages means your child can make connections with different people and their cultures. They will increase their enjoyment and understanding of their own and other cultures. Their ability to use different languages will allow them to understand and communicate socially and in the world of work.
(Source: Parentzone Scotland)
Our main language taught P1 – 7 is French. Pupils P5 – 7 also experience German. We use the Linguascope resource which is interactive and motivating for the children to enhance learning and teaching of languages.
