Embrace all Learners

Reading is the key to understanding. The department believes that all students must know how to read and have the skills to understand what they are reading. 

At the lower primary level,  students develop skills categorised in the following areas. This is done through the use of graded books and phonics-based ICT resources.

• Readiness for reading, e.g. distinguish between letters and words

• Phonemic awareness, e.g. identify common sounds in words

• Decoding through phonics, e.g. match sounds to the corresponding letters

• Recognition of words, e.g. identify rhyming words

At the middle primary levels, students develop close and critical reading and viewing skills that allow them to, among others:

• Make predictions about a text they are reading based on their prior knowledge

• Retell what has happened in the text in their own words

• Make inferences to draw conclusions.

At Innova Primary School, we believe that every child should have the confidence and skills to access learning meaningfully. Our Step-Up Reading Programme provides targeted and intensive reading support for selected Primary 4 and 5 students who require additional help in developing their literacy skills. Conducted in a small-group pull-out setting by a reading instructor, the programme focuses on strengthening foundational skills such as phonics, decoding, reading fluency, accuracy and comprehension. Through personalised support and regular monitoring of progress, students are guided to become more confident and independent readers, enabling them to better understand instructions, problem statements and subject content across English, Mathematics and Science. The programme seeks to empower every learner to take meaningful steps forward in their reading journey and participate more confidently in classroom learning.

As part of our commitment to nurturing critical and independent thinkers, the English Department conducts Socratic Seminars for our High-Ability Learners (HAL). This structured dialogue approach invites students to engage deeply with a text through thoughtful questioning and reflective discourse. Grounded in the belief that inquiry is the foundation of meaningful learning, the seminar encourages students to pose and respond to questions that lead to further exploration and insight.

Our Socratic Seminar materials are thoughtfully designed by our team of English educators and serve as an enriching extension of the STELLAR programme. Through this initiative, students hone their analytical thinking and sharpen their oral communication skills in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment.

As part of our library programmes, Blind Date with a Book was held during Term 2. This week-long programme encouraged pupils to discover the joy of reading through mystery and surprise.

Books were grouped into three levels: P1–P2, P3–P4 and P5–P6. Most of the books were fiction, featuring exciting stories of fantasy, mystery, crime and adventure.The books were carefully wrapped and sealed in envelopes, keeping their titles and covers hidden. Pupils randomly selected an envelope and discovered their mystery book. This created a sense of anticipation and excitement as they began their reading adventure.

The programme encouraged pupils to explore new stories and genres. Many returned to the library afterwards to look for more books and discover other titles.

Most importantly, Blind Date with a Book sparked curiosity, developed a love of reading and encouraged our pupils to become enthusiastic, confident and lifelong readers. The smiles and excitement of our young readers made the week a memorable one!