Literacy

In literacy children study, use and enjoy language and literature communicated orally, visually or through reading and writing.

The understanding, using, and creating of oral, written and visual texts of increasing complexity are at the heart of literacy learning.  By engaging with literacy children become increasingly skilled speakers and listeners, writers and readers, presenters and viewers - skills that enable them to participate fully in the life of New Zealand and the wider world.

At Whangarei Primary School our approach to literacy is based around the dimensions of effective practice:

  • Knowledge of literacy learning (understanding the learning)
  • Knowledge of the learner (knowing and understanding how our students learn best including assessment)
  • Instructional strategies (the 'how' of the way literacy is taught, for example Guided Reading)
  • Engaging learners with texts (careful selection of texts to engage and support students learning)6
  • Expectations (the levels of expertise that students need to reach at different stages)
  • Partnerships (creating connections that make a positive difference to students learning, for example between home and school)

We believe in fostering a 'love of literacy' which in turn gives our students the skills to expand their world.