Learning and Teaching
Over the next few weeks, all students will complete their MAI assessments. These assessments help teachers track student progress throughout the year and identify areas of need.
Kindergarten students have been completing both their Best Start and MAI assessments this week and will join us for their first day of school on Monday.
This year, in K-2, teachers will implement the InitialLit program into the English block. InitialLit is an evidence-based literacy program designed for students in Kindergarten through Year 2. It teaches reading and spelling through daily lessons based on research-backed teaching methods. InitialLit helps students understand that words are made up of sounds, which are represented by letters. As students master this concept, they build the skills to decode and spell most words independently, without guessing. Once these foundational skills are in place, the focus shifts to reading comprehension and spelling.
The key learning areas covered in InitialLit include:
- Comprehension and fluency
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Handwriting
- Phonological awareness
- Phonics knowledge
For Years 3-6, students will continue using SpellEx, which was introduced last year. SpellEx is a comprehensive, whole-class spelling program. By following its carefully sequenced and scripted lessons, supported by a variety of differentiated resources, students develop the skills and knowledge needed to master English spelling patterns. The program teaches grapheme choices, spelling rules and conventions, morphology, and key spelling terminology.
Kind regards
Rebecca Bentley
Acting Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching