Literacy and numeracy strategies

In a literacy and numeracy lesson, a graduate teacher focuses on rhyming, syllabification and pre-literacy skills. The teacher has developed a teaching sequence that integrates both literacy and numeracy strategies, with resources and activities carefully chosen to relate to the rural and farming environment familiar to students. The teacher finds this an effective way to engage her students and support the development of literacy and numeracy skills. There is a whole-school approach to literacy and the teaching strategies employed by this graduate teacher, who draws on her understanding of literacy and numeracy approaches embedded in such programs as 'First Steps'.

Kellerberrin District High School is located in the central wheatbelt region of Western Australia and covers K-10. The students at the school have a diverse range of literacy needs, and these have resulted in the development of a Whole School Literacy Plan.  The teacher's class includes students who are at various stages of early literacy and numeracy development. In line with the Literacy Plan, the class has been working in a very rich literacy environment throughout the year. The Literacy Plan adopts an integrated curriculum approach that ensures there is also a strong focus on numeracy.