A message from our Literacy Specialist Laura Rawlins.

At Dorset Primary we believe:

  • Essential literacy skills are vital to ensure a student has the best chance to succeed, not only in the classroom but in everyday life.
  • A student requires fluent literacy skills in order for them to attain success in all aspects of their learning.
  • All students can learn with a systematic approach to literacy that is relevant and targeted towards their needs.
  • In providing authentic opportunities for students to read and write every day

At Dorset Primary our students will:

  • Be active participants
  • Foster an enjoyment of reading and writing from an early age
  • Be provided with a sense of purpose through authentic literacy opportunities
  • Be supported and have their creativity and curiosity encouraged and be engaged in their learning
  • Establish a foundation of literacy skills and critical thinking for lifelong learning
  • Have an awareness of the connection between reading and writing, enhancing their learning

Junior Years (Foundation to Year 2)

1 Hour Reading
1 Hour Writing
30 mins Spelling

1 hour of Reading

  • Early Years Reading Model
  • Year 2 includes a hybrid Reader’s Workshop Novel Study
  • Explicit teaching
  • Teacher modelling
  • Small group guided reading
  • Picture books read aloud by teacher

1 hour of Writing

  • Workshop Model – ‘I do/We do/You do
  • Explicit teaching
  • Teacher modelling
  • Roving one on one conferencing

30mins of Spelling

  • Magic Words
  • Cued Articulation (Foundation)
  • Soundwaves (Years 1 and 2)
  • Oxford Words (Years 1 and 2)

Middle and Senior (Years 3 to 6)

1 Hour Reading
1 Hour Writing
30 mins Spelling

1 hour of Reading

  • Explicit teaching
  • Teacher modelling
  • The Reader’s Workshop
  • Small group guided reading
  • Class novels

1 hour of Writing

  • Explicit teaching
  • Teacher modelling
  • Roving one on one conferencing

30mins of Spelling

  • Soundwaves