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InitiaLit Program

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What is InitiaLit?

InitiaLit is a holistic literacy instruction program designed to ensure that children acquire essential reading and writing skills during their first three years of schooling. By focusing on systematic synthetic phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, InitiaLit covers the Five Big Ideas of Reading, giving children a solid foundation for literacy success.

Key Features of InitiaLit:

  • Structured and Aligned Curriculum: InitiaLit follows a carefully structured scope and sequence that aligns with the NSW syllabus and the Australian Curriculum. This ensures consistency in teaching methods and literacy content from Foundation to Year 2.

  • Comprehensive Literacy Skills: The program incorporates decoding (understanding the relationship between sounds and letters) and comprehension (understanding the meaning of words and how they work together), based on the 'Simple View of Reading' model by Gough and Tunmer (1986). This model emphasises that both decoding and comprehension are essential for successful reading.

  • Explicit and Systematic Instruction: InitiaLit uses a direct, explicit, and systematic approach to teaching reading. This involves clear presentation of information, structured instructional cycles (Model – Lead – Test or ‘I do, We do, You do’), and brisk pacing to keep students engaged and actively involved.

  • Regular Assessments: Built-in assessments help monitor student progress and identify those needing additional support. Cumulative review assessments at the end of each term ensure that skills are retained and applied accurately.

  • Synthetic Phonics Approach: InitiaLit teaches children the relationships between letters and sounds sequentially and systematically. This includes blending sounds to read words and segmenting sounds for spelling.

  • Rich Vocabulary and Comprehension: The program incorporates quality literature to develop vocabulary and oral language skills. Storybooks are used as springboards for writing and creative activities.

  • Ample Practice Opportunities: Recognising that practice is crucial for mastering reading and writing, InitiaLit includes numerous opportunities for students to practice these skills in various settings—whole class, small groups, or independently.

Why InitiaLit Matters

The first three years of school are critical for learning to read and write. Implementing a quality, evidence-based program like InitiaLit ensures that literacy instruction is consistent and effective across these years. InitiaLit gives all children the best possible start in their literacy journey by providing a comprehensive, detailed program and systematically monitoring student progress.

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