Reading overview

Curriculum Delivery Statement 

Rationale

The written word has been a primary source of recording human history and God’s dealings with the people He created.  The ability to read and understand the purpose and content of what is read is an essential tool in effective communication.  It is only by the development of these skills that individuals can search Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy and learn of God and His will for them.  Reading also opens to an individual the world and People’s perspectives and perceptions of the world. Reading continues to be a major tool in almost all learning and living in western society today.

The school strives to develop lifelong readers with the skills and ability to read and understand text and learn from it to advance their opportunities in life on this earth and for eternity.

Special Character - Values

Worship:

Theory

God has given us His Word as an example of how to worship God. We can utilise the Bible and its precepts to lead us in our discernment of reading materials.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

When we read the Bible, we worship God and this helps us to develop our relationship with Him.

Practical Uses

• Reading the Bible to find examples of how Bible characters worshipped God.

• Investigating the Lord's prayer as an example of worship.

• Reading Psalms and worship lyrics

• The Bible can be used as an authority and a guide to help us to make discerning reading choices to develop our Christian worldview (synthesis).

Perseverance:

Theory

To grasp upon any concepts or themes in any text, one needs to have a growth mindset.  To grow in our knowledge and understanding of the world around us we need to read. As our understanding grows, texts may become more challenging and perseverance is needed to make meaning and understand the author's purpose. All of this helps us read the Bible and understand God's will and purpose for our lives.

Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

Romans 5:4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

Practical Uses

• Developing strategies to help reluctant readers to reach their goal.

• Finding the right challenge for students, to encourage them to persevere with and enjoy reading.

• Encouraging students to finish a book they start to develop their ability to finish tasks and understand the full meaning and message of the text.

Contribution:

Theory

God has given us His Word to read so that we can share His love with the world. We need to learn to read and understand His Word to grow in our walk with the Lord and also to be effective in sharing God with others.

Practical Uses

• Reading transformational texts

• Discussing what they've read with others/groups

• Supporting others in their reading

• Buddy Reading

Excellence:

Theory

Excellence is interwoven through God's Word. The Bible is the most excellent book. We develop excellence through reading His Word. 

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Practical Uses

• Reading comprehension and decoding excellence causes us to understand what we read and the author's purpose

• Reading excellence includes applying what we read to our lives

Love:

Theory

We learn more about love and God's love for us as we read the Written Word of God.

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

1 Corinthians 13

Practical Uses

• Explore what 1 Corinthians 13 looks like in our school context and in the lives of our students

• Read about love: pull out love in everything you read and explore its worldview

• Use the Bible as a reading source

Courage:

Theory

It takes courage to read the Word of God and apply it to our daily life. This is made even more difficult for those who have a learning difference, such as dyslexia, to overcome their limitations and insecurities when reading.

Practical Uses

• Sounding words out that they do not know

• Reading the Word to examine our own hearts

Compassion

Theory

As we read, we empathise and make connections with the characters, which helps us see and understand others' perspectives.

Jeremiah 9:24 - but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. 

Practical Uses

• Developing inference skills

• Finding Bible characters who showed compassion

• Reading in the Bible about God's compassion for His people

Integrity:

Theory

Integrity in teaching Reading fosters genuine engagement, encouraging students to approach texts with honesty and respect for diverse perspectives. By modelling integrity, teachers inspire thoughtful analysis and help students value an author’s true intent, building a foundation for ethical reading practices both in and beyond the classroom.

Psalm 119:10-11 "I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You."

Practical Uses

• Choosing reading material which is appropriate to our school's special character and values

• Silent Reading - an opportunity to show Integrity

• Read in the Bible about characters who showed Integrity