Literacy

At Streeton Primary School, we are committed to developing confident, capable and knowledgeable readers, writers and communicators through evidence-based literacy instruction. Our literacy approach is grounded in Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) and the Science of Learning, ensuring that all students receive systematic, high-quality teaching that supports strong literacy outcomes.

We believe literacy is the foundation for success across all areas of learning. Through carefully structured lessons, teachers explicitly teach the essential knowledge and skills students need to become proficient readers and writers. Learning intentions and success criteria are made clear, new concepts are modelled, and students are provided with guided and independent practice to build confidence and mastery.

Building Strong Foundations in Literacy

For our Foundation students, Little Learners Love Literacy provides a structured and engaging introduction to reading and writing. The program supports the development of essential early literacy skills through explicit teaching of phonemic awareness, phonics, handwriting, decoding and early reading and writing. Through carefully sequenced lessons, students develop the foundational skills they need to become successful and confident readers and writers.

As students progress through the school, PHORMES provides a systematic approach to phonics, spelling and word knowledge. Through explicit instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, morphology and spelling patterns, students build the foundational skills required for fluent reading, accurate spelling and effective writing.

Developing Confident Writers

Streeton Primary School implements Write to Learn (W2L) to explicitly teach students how to construct effective sentences, paragraphs and extended texts. Students learn how to organise their ideas, use precise vocabulary and language structures, and write for a range of purposes and audiences. Through teacher modelling, guided practice and feedback, students develop confidence and independence as writers.

Developing Reading Fluency

Reading fluency is strengthened through our Paired Fluency program. Students engage in repeated reading and structured partner practice to improve accuracy, automaticity, expression and reading confidence. Developing fluency enables students to devote more of their attention to understanding, analysing and enjoying the texts they read.

Building Knowledge and Comprehension

Our literacy program is enriched through a Knowledge-Rich Curriculum and OCHRE Novel Studies, providing students with opportunities to develop deep knowledge, vocabulary and comprehension through high-quality texts.

OCHRE Novel Studies expose students to engaging and challenging novels that provide rich opportunities for explicit teaching of vocabulary, background knowledge, comprehension and literary concepts. Teachers guide students through carefully structured discussions and activities that encourage them to retrieve information, make connections, explain their thinking and develop a deeper understanding of characters, themes, settings and author choices.

Novel study also provides valuable opportunities for students to encounter sophisticated language and ideas while developing a love of reading. Students learn to discuss texts using increasingly precise vocabulary, support their ideas with evidence and respond thoughtfully to what they read.

Explicit Teaching of Handwriting

Handwriting is explicitly taught across the school as an essential component of literacy development. Teachers model correct letter formation, pencil grip, posture, sizing, spacing and writing fluency. Students receive regular opportunities to practise these skills with clear instruction and immediate feedback.

Explicit handwriting instruction supports students to develop automaticity and fluency, allowing them to focus more of their cognitive attention on generating and organising ideas when writing. As students progress through the year levels, they develop increasingly efficient, legible and fluent handwriting that supports successful written communication.

Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction

Across all areas of literacy, our teachers use EDI practices including retrieval and review, explicit instruction, teacher modelling, guided practice, checks for understanding, immediate feedback and independent application. Teachers work collaboratively to monitor student progress, analyse assessment data and provide targeted support and extension.

By combining Little Learners Love Literacy, PHORMES, Write to Learn, Paired Fluency, OCHRE Novel Studies and a Knowledge-Rich Curriculum within an Explicit Direct Instruction framework, Streeton Primary School provides a consistent and evidence-informed approach to literacy from Foundation to Year 6.

Our goal is to ensure every student develops the knowledge, skills and confidence to become a fluent reader, effective writer, thoughtful communicator and lifelong learner. Through high expectations, explicit teaching and a rich exposure to language and literature, we empower every student to experience success and develop a genuine love of learning.