Literacy

Through explicit teaching, purposeful practice and regular feedback, students are supported to become thoughtful readers, effective writers and confident communicators. Student voice and assessment data guide teaching to ensure learning is engaging, inclusive and responsive to individual needs. Students engage in a minimum of ten hours of Literacy learning each week.

Our Literacy program is organised across three key areas:

• Reading and Viewing

• Writing

• Speaking and Listening

Reading

Reading instruction at Chilwell is systematic, explicit and responsive. Teaching is guided by the Big 6 of Reading: oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Together, these skills support students to decode accurately, read fluently and understand texts deeply.

Prep to Grade 2
In the Early Years, we implement Phonics Plus, a Systematic Synthetic Phonics program. Students receive explicit instruction in letter- sound relationships, blending and segmenting, and decoding and encoding words, building strong foundations for reading success.

Grades 3 to 6
Students continue to develop fluency, vocabulary and comprehension through explicit instruction using increasingly complex texts across a range of genres.  Reading is taught through a consistent Reader’s Workshop model, which includes clear learning intentions, explicit teaching, purposeful practice, conferencing and reflection.

Writing

Writing is taught through a Writer’s Workshop model, supporting students to write clearly and creatively for a range of purposes and audiences. Lessons include explicit instruction, sustained writing time, conferencing, targeted groups and opportunities for reflection and sharing.

Students are taught a range of text types, writing techniques and the writing process from planning through to publishing. The 6+1 Traits of Writing and high-quality mentor texts support strong writing craft, with regular feedback and individual goal setting.

Spelling and Word Knowledge

From Grades 3 to 6, spelling and word knowledge are taught using Soundwaves (a Systematic Program)  that builds on early phonics learning. Students develop their understanding of sounds (phonemes), spelling patterns (graphemes) and word meanings through explicit instruction, hands-on activities and digital resources.

Speaking and Listening

Speaking and listening skills are explicitly taught across all year levels and are closely connected to reading and writing success. Students practise these skills through classroom discussions, collaborative learning and presentations.

Instruction focuses on respectful communication, giving and receiving feedback, building on ideas, using subject-specific language and engaging in thoughtful discussion. 

Students regularly practise speaking and listening through structured classroom discussions, collaborative learning, presentations and digital platforms.

Explicit instruction includes:

• Giving and receiving feedback
• Participating in respectful, academic conversations
• Paraphrasing, clarifying and elaborating ideas
• Challenging ideas respectfully
• Using technical and subject-specific language
• Synthesising learning and building shared understanding

These skills support students to communicate confidently, think critically and engage meaningfully with others.