Kia ora whanau, 

Our class is implementing a  reading curriculum called the Better Start Literacy Approach. This approach has been developed in New Zealand by a team of experienced researchers from the University of Canterbury,  following years of research on the best ways to support children’s early reading, writing and oral language success.

In class, we will share exciting storybooks that will help grow the number of new and interesting words that your children can use and understand when talking.

 We will also be playing games that develop your child’s phonological awareness knowledge – or their awareness of the sounds within words. This area is particularly important to help your child learn to read and spell.

Your child will be reading books in class called "decodable books". The words in the books are match to the letters and sounds we are teaching in class. There will be lots of opportunities to practice sounding out words made from letters and sounds that they know or are learning – building their confidence and skill as readers.

If you speak another language at home,  please continue to talk with your child about the stories, what the words mean and help them to listen to the sounds in your home language. 

As you can see above, you child will be placed into a small group for reading. Their reading group is made up of children who are working towards the same literacy goals. Your child and their small reading group will get time to work with the teacher everyday.

For more information on the Better Start Literacy Approach, visit the website: www.betterstartapproach.com.

Nga Mihi, 

Rebecca Kirby