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Structured literacy has gained recognition in New Zealand as a highly effective approach for teaching all children how to read and write.
Over the past four years at Pārāwai School, this has formed the strategic focus for our junior classes – allowing all students to develop the skills and strategies they need to read, spell and write with confidence and fluency.
All the junior teaching staff have trained in the Better Start Literacy Approach through the University of Canterbury.
All other teachers, and teacher aides, have also been trained in Structured Literacy Approaches, and with additional funding for a qualified teacher to support students who need just a little more practice, Pārāwai School is well placed to ensure their learners continue to achieve well.
In all classrooms at Pārāwai School, students practice daily correct letter formation; handwriting; sounds of letters and groups of letters; how to read and write text using their knowledge of sounds and spelling patterns; grammar and sentence structure; growing their vocabulary; understanding of words, and enjoy a wide range of rich children’s books and literature.
Junior teacher Anna Keogh said “we now know through neuro-science research and brain imaging what is actually happening inside people’s brains when they are reading and writing”.
“This research has allowed us to modify our teaching to a proven and effective approach which grows and develops the pathways and connections in the brain.
“This enables all our learners to experience success and see themselves as readers and writers, leading to what we hope is a lifelong love of reading and writing.”
– Supplied by Pārāwai School
