The English curriculum is built around the three interrelated strands of Language, Literature and Literacy. Teaching and learning programs should balance and integrate all three strands.
Our library is filled with a wide range of quality fiction and non fiction books. Students may borrow two books at a time on their designated library day as well as before school each Tuesday-Thursday. The library is also open at lunchtime on those days. New books are promoted at assemblies by our student Library Captains.
At Como Primary School we have a whole school approach to spelling, using a program that is based on phonemic awareness, which is recognised as one of the most effective ways to teach spelling and reading skills. A whole school approach is also used to target punctuation and grammar skills and all teachers have been trained in guided reading. Reading Eggs is made available by the school to all students so that they can access this online both at home and at school.
First Step strategies together with explicit teaching of writing genres allows students to use the correct structure when writing, for example, persuasive texts, explanations or narratives. Teachers expect that their students’ handwriting is of a high standard at all times. Touch typing is also taught on a weekly basis.
The Mathematics curriculum consists of Number & Algebra, Measurement & Geometry and Statistics & Probability. Mathematical resources include the interactive, on-line Mathletics program that is provided to students for use at home and school. This is a valuable tool that embeds concepts taught at school and offers excellent extension and remediation activities for students from PP-6.
We also have excellent “hands on” mathematical resources that complement a variety of quality online interactive websites used by teachers. A daily mental maths program consistently and regularly covers all major concepts for each year group from 2-6.