At Hop Skip Jump Learning, we are excited to introduce our new Literacy Groups in 2024! These groups are designed to help children of all ages develop the essential reading and writing skills they need to be proficient in literacy.
Our Literacy Groups are based on the science of reading and follow expertly structured synthetic phonics programs, such as Sounds-Write and Heggerty. Synthetic phonics is a proven method of teaching reading that breaks down words into their individual sounds and helps children to learn how to blend and segment those sounds to read and write.
What are Sounds-Write and Heggerty?
Both Sounds-Write and Heggerty are highly recommended evidence-based systematic programs where lessons are explicit in teaching the foundational reading skills of phonemic awareness and phonics. Sounds-Write is recommended by AUSPELD and DSF whilst Heggerty is also recommended by DSF. Both programs give students the skills they need to read and spell and follow the science of reading.
Why is phonemic awareness important?
Phonemic awareness is the understanding that spoken words are made up of individual sounds, which are called phonemes. A child who is phonemically aware is able to isolate sounds, manipulate sounds, blend and segment the sounds in spoken and written words.
Phonemic awareness is a critical skill for reading success. It is the foundation on which phonics is built. Phonics is the ability to decode words by sounding them out. Children who are phonemically aware are better able to learn phonics and become successful readers.
Why is explicit literacy instruction important?
Explicit literacy instruction provides a systematic and direct approach to teaching reading and writing skills. It is based on the research that shows that students need explicit instruction and practice in order to become proficient readers and writers.
In explicit literacy instruction, students are taught the specific skills they need to learn and are given opportunities to practice those skills in a variety of contexts. This type of instruction is particularly effective for students who are struggling with reading and writing.
What Will My Child Learn?
Lessons in our Literacy Groups will be highly structured and explicit, meaning that students will be directly taught the skills they need to read and write. Lessons will also use a variety of multisensory techniques to engage all learners.
In our Literacy Groups, students will:
- Learn the fundamental reading and writing skills of segmenting, blending, and phoneme manipulation.
- Develop their code knowledge and conceptual understanding of how the code works.
- Receive targeted instruction and practice based on their individual learning needs.
- Work both individually and in team situations where they will have multiple opportunities to be motivated and engaged by peers. You can read more about The Benefits of Group Learning for Children in a recent blog of ours.
Our Literacy Groups are ideal for beginner readers, specifically students from Prep to Year 2, or students who need further support in Years 3 and above. Each group will have a maximum of 4 students, ensuring that each child receives the individual attention they need.
How Can I Enrol?
If you are on the Gold Coast and would like more information on how your child would benefit from our Literacy Groups, get in touch with Dominique here to discuss options and availability.
