English

Ensuring that all students continue to develop their strengths in literacy is critical to their ongoing success in education throughout their lives.

Students arrive at Heaton with a range of literacy skills and areas needing further development. Teachers in all classes teach to the specific needs of the students by teaching in a variety of ways - conferencing with individuals, modeling and teaching with small groups and instruction in class wide teaching sessions.

The "Reading to Learn" programme introduces students to a variety of reading comprehension strategies that are modeled and guidance is provided for practicing the strategies. These strategies assist students in:

• gathering and understanding new information,

• making personal connections with text,

• evaluating the purpose of the writer,

• furthering their knowledge of text types,

• continuing to nurture an in-depth appreciation of the written word.

Students write for a variety of instructional, social and personal purposes to communicate experiences, ideas and information. Modeling and guidance is given by the class teacher to provide all students, at their appropriate levels, assistance in the various writing styles with which they need to be familiar.
Heaton staff make literacy links for students between reading and writing. This assists students in identifying and practicing skills from both subject areas.

Oral language forms a large portion of our everyday classroom programmes. Students are encouraged to actively participate in a wide variety of oral activities during the course of the school day. Students are taught to communicate effectively and confidently in both formal and informal oral situations using appropriate English.