LITERACY WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS 25 February 2011 PASIR RIS PRIMARY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LITERACY WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS 23rd February 2012 6.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Pasir Ris Primary School

Outline Opening – Miss Farah Aida ( Head of Department- English) Introduction to STELLAR – Miss Sim Yeow Ling (ST Teaching and Learning) Shared Book Approach –Mrs Caroline Silva Home Support – Mdm Lulubhaina Ismail Useful Strategies – Mdm Siti Fazlinda (Learning Support Programme Coordinator) Extension Activities & Resources – Mdm Siti Rabeah

English Department’s Vision A child who can enhance positive interpersonal relationships through … Language

Mission Every child can communicate effectively in speech and in writing, in the school and in the society

Share knowledge on strategies & create greater awareness Our Objectives Partners in Education PRPS Supporting Thrust – Community Partnership Share knowledge on strategies & create greater awareness

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 STELLAR Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading STELLAR STELLAR is the current English Language curriculum for primary schools and it stands for … A new English Language Curriculum for Primary Schools in Singapore Pasir Ris Primary School

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 The STELLAR Vision Children who love reading and have a strong foundation in the English Language The vision of STELLAR is to cultivate in children the love for reading and to have a strong foundation in the English Language. Pasir Ris Primary School

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 STELLAR & Language Teaching and learning of English using more speaking and listening activities Children learn reading and writing using rich and interesting books, with discussions led by the teacher With STELLAR, it means that we now have more speaking and listening activities in class and the children will learn to read and write using books, with discussions led by the teacher. Pasir Ris Primary School

What is a STELLAR lesson like? Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 What is a STELLAR lesson like? 1.Shared Reading Experiences Children read storybook with the teacher and engage in oral discussions with teacher and peers 3. Language Use Activities in Learning Centres 2. Shared Writing Experiences There are basically 3 major strategies involved. Shared Reading Experiences where children will read the storybook with the teacher and engaged in oral discussions with the teacher and friends 2) Shared Writing Experiences where the teacher models writing and the children will then write in their groups and independently. 3) Language use activities in Learning Centres where the teacher prepares mini lessons with reading, listening and writing activities The teacher prepares mini lessons based on specific needs of children to prepare them for reading & writing activities; e.g. grammar, vocabulary, word recognition, decoding skills, spelling The teacher models writing using children’s language. Children engage in writing together and in writing independently Pasir Ris Primary School

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 Why Books? Books… open up the world for children help children think and wonder increase children’s vocabulary and knowledge about the world around them provide good examples for reading and writing Pasir Ris Primary School

STELLAR Curriculum (Lower Primary) Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 STELLAR Curriculum (Lower Primary) The STELLAR curriculum is very comprehensive. Integrates all language skills (listening, reading, speaking, writing) Skills are enhanced through daily practice. Key language items are explicitly taught to children. The STELLAR Curriculum is very comprehensive as it Integrates listening, reading, speaking and writing skills All these skills are enhanced through daily practice The key language items are explicitly taught Pasir Ris Primary School

STELLAR Curriculum (Lower Primary) It is in line with the 2010 EL Syllabus. Its aim is to move learners towards independence using quality children’s books and activities that motivate and engage young learners.

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 SHARED BOOK APPROACH Pasir Ris Primary School 13

Walking through the Jungle (Tune: Ten Little Indians) Walking through the jungle, What do you see? Can you hear a noise? What could it be? Through here! Over there! A snake is looking for his tea. A crocodile is looking for his tea. Hope it isn’t me.

Walking through the jungle, What do you see? Can you hear a noise? What could it be?

Over there! A snake looking for his tea.

Creeping through the jungle, What do you see? Can you hear a noise? What could it be?

Over there! A tiger looking for his tea.

How Can You Help?

STELLAR needs Parents’ Support Home support – help your child learn English by providing English language reading materials at home. Activate child’s interest – show your child that you believe learning English is both enjoyable and useful in your daily life.

STELLAR needs Parents’ Support Role models – It is a mistake to think that one can teach children to love reading and literature without possessing that same love itself. Understanding – English language learning requires frequent exposure to listening, speaking, reading and writing opportunities and activities rather than the use of worksheets /assessment books alone.

How? Go to the library together. Promote a reading culture at home. Read to learn and read for fun. Give your child books related to their special interests. Allow your child to choose books to read and reread. Have a print rich environment in your home.

a long session occasionally When? A short session of 15 to 20 minutes a day is better than a long session occasionally

Books that Interest Children Have clear print and colourful, attractive illustrations or photographs. Have a good storyline with interesting characters in them. Relate to everyday life. Have moral values embedded in them. Are repetitive and have rhyming words or sight words to help children in their reading.

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 Encouraging your child When reading to your child, be encouraging and supportive. Praise your child for his attempts at reading difficult words. Do not force your child to read aloud to you if he is reluctant. Be good humoured when reading with him/her. Pasir Ris Primary School 27

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 Inviting Participation Shall we read this story together? What shall we read today? Can you guess what this word is? Try reading with me Would you like to read to me? Pasir Ris Primary School 28

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 When your child makes an attempt and is successful … When your child makes a mistake … You almost got it. Try again. Good try. The correct word is … Say it after me. Yes, it sounds like that word but this word is … That was very good. That's right. I knew you could do it. Well done. Pasir Ris Primary School 29

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 Do Not… Do not be angry if he repeats certain mistakes. Do not show your disappointment. Do not use reading as a punishment. Do not have unreasonable expectations. Do not compare your child with others. Pasir Ris Primary School 30

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 Child : That’s a bid bird. Parent : Did you say bid bird? It’s not a bid bird. It’s a big bird. Example 1 Do Not Repeat Errors x Child : That’s a bid bird. Parent : That is a big bird. What a big bird it is. It’s a really big bird! Example 2 Modelling Pasir Ris Primary School 31

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 How do you Read? Sit close together. Show your child that you enjoy reading with him. Talk about the things in the book, especially the pictures. Point to the words as you read. Invite him to read the words you think he can read. Make the session enjoyable. Pasir Ris Primary School 32

Spelling Strategies/Styles - Look, cover, write, check method - Auditory-visualization - Auditory-visual-kinesthetic Word Shape Spelling Aid Zig-zag Spelling Aid

Spelling Styles Spelling Styles Chart Pathways Procedures for Remembering Words The First 100 High Frequency Words

Spelling Styles Chart Visual Style Auditory Style Tactile-Kinesthetic Style Multisensory Style

The First 100 High Frequency Words

Extension Activities Playing language games like word scavenger hunt. (Looking for a word in print materials.) Reading aloud a book and asking your child to identify words beginning with the same sound, for example, ‘p’ – pancake, pick, put, police, pat, etc.

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 Extension Activities Helping your child learn more interesting words by thinking of new words to replace known words, for example, ‘big’ – huge, enormous, large, gigantic, etc. Suggesting that your child give a different ending to the story read Pasir Ris Primary School

Extension Activities Get your child to retell the story. Retell part of the story. Then ask your child to continue. Ask questions based on the story. Ask True /False questions.

Useful Links MOE STELLAR - http://www.stellarliteracy.sg/ Edufind -http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/toc.cfm British Council - http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/ Time for Kids - http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids Funny Poetry for Children - http://www.gigglepoetry.com/ Scholastic Parents - http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/parentsHome.jsp

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 Q & A Pasir Ris Primary School 41

Literacy Workshop for Parents 25 February 2011 Pasir Ris Primary School 42