The Teachers in Years 4-6 are currently engaging in learning about the Better Start Literacy Programme through the University of Canterbury.

The BSLA programme is currently used in Years 1-3 and we are seeing some fantastic results come from students growth in their literacy.

We are very excited to be beginning this journey in Year 6 and look forward to the learning it brings for our students.

Processes and Strategies 

Read a text over many days and read multiple texts related to the same topic

Skim and scan a text to gain information

Further research a topic by using classroom and digital resources

Purposes and Audiences

Identify the author's purpose, explain the ways they have used language and ideas to suit their purpose and evaluate the impact of the message

Sentences 

Write a variety of sentences showing some control over grammar

Vocabulary 

Select precise and descriptive words to create a clear mental picture for the audience

Deliberately select specific vocabulary that is appropriate to the topic, purpose and learning area

We will be using The Code as our spelling programme. Because the Teachers are beginning this new journey, our spelling programme will begin in Term 2. It is important we focus on learning and implementing BSLA. In the meantime, spelling will be included within the BSLA programme.

The code focuses on their phonetic knowledge of sounds in words and different spelling patterns.

Because the focus is on rules in spelling, as your child progresses through the programme the words may not 'feel' more difficult, but the rules they focus on will become more complex.