At BBIS we recognise the critical role literacy plays in enabling our students to achieve ‘more than they think they can’ as internationally minded global citizens.
At BBIS we foster a deep and intrinsic love for reading, writing and spoken language. Literacy skills are embedded across the breadth of the PYP curriculum in order to develop powers of imagination, inquiry and critical awareness.
We ensure that we support our students, where English is a second language, through targeted interventions and in-classroom support.
WHAT DOES LITERACY LEARNING LOOK LIKE AT BBIS?
Our curriculum aims to foster an enthusiasm for Literacy in students as well as equip them with the skills they need to achieve the highest standard possible.
The students participate in daily phonics or spelling lessons using ‘Read, Write Inc.’. RWI is a complete phonics programme with high-quality training, assessment, intervention and resources (including decodable books).
Our Literacy lessons are linked to each Unit of Inquiry within the PYP. Our core texts are chosen to link into the central idea for each Year group to allow our inquiry learning to connect and develop. This text influences the language outcome or writing genre at the end of each Unit of Inquiry. The ultimate aim is to put quality children’s literature at the heart of all learning in order to raise literacy achievement and to plant a passion for reading in our students.
We embed reading skills within our Literacy lessons using the ‘Building Bridges of Understanding’ teaching approach. The ultimate aim is for our students to become self-regulated reflective readers who predict, visualise, make connections, ask questions, determine importance, clarify, and infer meaning before, during and after reading. In addition, there are planned speaking and listening opportunities throughout lesson time.
Entwined within all areas of the PYP curriculum, we strive to enhance individual’s Oracy skills and develop their skills as communicators. Through developing speaking and listening skills, our students become confident and competent in expressing themselves and understanding others. This forms a vital role in our Unit of Inquiry when we are presenting our learning.
