English
In English, students learn to read, write, speak, view and represent language. Quality literature underpins every component of our English programs from Kindergarten to Year 6. By using a wide range of spoken, visual, multimedia and digital texts, students learn to read for information and pleasure. Students gain a sound grasp of language structures, punctuation, spelling and grammar, and learn to think in ways that are imaginative, creative and critical.
At A Glance
Synthetic Phonics
Students in K-2 are undertaking the Get Reading Right program which looks at blending phonemes (sounds) to make a word, enabling children to read. Students learn to segment to spell words and have the opportunity to learn camera words which a frequently used words that are tricky to sound. To reinforce the learning that is happening in our classroom, the students also have access to Phonics Hero, an interactive games-based website.
Spelling Mastery
Students in Years 3 – 6 are developing their spelling skills through the Spelling Mastery Program. Spelling Mastery is a research proven that employs the Direct Instruction method to enable teachers to deliver highly interactive, structured lessons that help students learn dependable spelling skills. Spelling Mastery approaches spelling through strategies, patterns and rules. The straightforward lessons in Spelling Mastery combine phonemic, morphemic, and whole-word instruction to make spelling easier to learn and pave the way for effective writing.
Guided Reading
Guided Reading is a fundamental component of a well-balanced literacy program. Students with similar reading abilities or students who need to develop similar skills are grouped together. The groups are kept small to encourage interaction among the students and to allow the teacher, or teacher’s aide, to observe individual reading behaviour. Students are immersed in a variety of literary and factual texts targeted at their ability level and explicitly taught the skills required to become fluent readers who understand the content of what they have read.
Public Speaking
At Al Amanah College we teach children the skills and etiquette associated with public speaking. Public Speaking helps students develop confidence and build up their self-esteem.
Students from Year 3 to Year 6 are given the opportunity to select topics to research and present their findings in a speech. A variety of techniques are employed to assist the students to evaluate their efforts and to improve on their performance in a constructive way. Some techniques include peer, self and teacher assessment.
Students are then selected to represent the school at an inter-school competition between both Al Amanah Campuses and Salamah College.