English At featherbrook





English



Aims The English curriculum aims to ensure that students: • learn to purposefully and proficiently listen to, speak about, read, view, write, create and reflect on a range of texts, through their historical, cultural and social contexts and across an increasing level of complexity • understand how to use Standard Australian English appropriately, and in combination with non-linguistic forms of communication, to create meaning • develop interest and skills in examining and analysing texts, and develop an informed appreciation of the aesthetic aspects of literature • appreciate, enjoy, analyse, evaluate, adapt and use the richness and power of the English language in all its variations to evoke feelings, form and convey ideas, and facilitate interaction with others.



Structure



The English curriculum is presented in curriculum levels from Foundation Level A to Level 10. Content is organised under 3 interrelated strands: • Language • Literature • Literacy Each strand is organised by sub-strands. Sub-strands group content descriptions under an appropriate concept, to provide both a focus and a clear sequence for the development of related concepts and skills within strands and across levels.






Learning in English



Learning in English is both cumulative and recursive, building on and returning to concepts, skills and processes across the learning continuum. When learning is recursive, engaging with an appropriate range of different types of texts that increase in complexity and challenge as students move through the curriculum levels is critical.


For more detail on which specific content descriptions in the sub-strands link to each different part of the achievement standard, explore the ‘Achievement standard connections’ functionality (via the ‘Customise’ button) in the English curriculum webpages and see the following resources:


Foundation to Level 2 (DOCX, 101.17 KB)

Level 3 to Level 6 (DOCX, 113.86 KB)

Level 7 to Level 10 (DOCX, 111.33 KB)


Source: VCAA



In the Primary Years



English is also known as Literacy and it is taught for two hours per day. Each primary year student engages in one hour of reading and one hour of writing each day.



In the Secondary Years



A secondary year timetable is in place and students attend at least five English sessions per week. In addition to English there is a Disciplinary Literacy focus across the other secondary year subjects; this is especially important in subjects such as Science and Humanities where students engage with subject specific texts.



Resources



Both hard copy and digital resources are used in the English program. We have a well-equipped library which each class visits on a regular basis. The library is open at recess and lunchtime throughout the week for students to attend story time, read and borrow. Hard copy book sets are used for small group reading each day and a range of hard copy texts are used as mentor texts within the classroom and for student independent reading.


Digital resources are integrated into the class program and these enable a seamless transition to home learning.


Digital resources currently used include:

• Google Classroom – students from years 3 to 9


Hard copy resources currently used include:

• Phonics Plus Oxford English Textbook



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We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and pay respect to the ongoing living cultures of First Peoples.