Early childhood – setting a literacy blueprint through phonemic awareness

• Te Whāriki – Communication – Mana reo strand
• What is phonemic awareness?
• How does this advantage children in their early years?
• Alphabet letters and sounds – why it is so important for children to know the difference?
• Exploring alphabet sounds in a systematic, fun way, including writing.
• Encouraging letter-sound awareness through flash card presentation and games
• Stimulating early phonological awareness – what strategies can be used?
• Monitoring children’s progress through simple assessments.
• How parents and caregivers can reinforce phonemic awareness
• Conclusion – How does the above relate to Te Whāriki ?

(This course covers all alphabet sounds.)

Early primary – setting a reading foundation through structured literacy approaches – Part 1

• What is structured literacy?
• Why is this so beneficial for all learners?
• Developing phonemic awareness – how can we make this fun?
• Developing phonological awareness – what multisensory strategies can be used?
• Encouraging letter-sound recognition through flash card presentation and games
• Encouraging letter-sound recognition through writing activities
• Blending of sounds(encoding) for early reading; and segmenting of sounds(decoding) for reading and spelling skills.
• Developing reading comprehension skills
• Building sequential word banks
• Developing handwriting and writing fluency skills
• How parents and caregivers can reinforce structured literacy

(This course covers the 44 basic sounds of the English language. Parts 2 and 3 will cover the many alternative spellings of these sounds and silent letters.)

Intervention for Older Learners- using Structured Literacy approaches to build reading confidence

• General overview – structured literacy approaches– teaching strategies
• Science of Reading – research and findings
• Multi-sensory resources for older learners – actions, songs, flashcards, workbooks, videos
• Applying early reading strategies with a mature focus
• Extending reading comprehension and writing fluency skills
• Diagnostic assessment of learner difficulties – general introduction
• Assessment tools – testing for knowledge of :
  – basic 44 sounds – most common spellings
  – alternative spellings of long vowels
  – alternative spellings of short vowels, consonants and silent letters
• Assessing reading comprehension and writing fluency skills.
• Using assessment results to plan intervention strategy and timeline
• Strategies for building learner self confidence
• Ongoing phonic checks/ general reading and writing assessment