Literacy

At Wandin Yallock Primary School we are passionate about helping every child become a confident, capable reader and writer. In Literacy, we explicitly teach reading and writing using the Workshop Model alongside the UFLI program, ensuring that our teaching meets the needs of all students and provides targeted, evidence-based support where it is needed most.

In the Workshop Model, each lesson begins with a mini-lesson that clearly explains what we are learning, why it matters, and how we will know we have been successful. Students then engage in learning through a combination of independent work, small group activities, and collaborative tasks. The lesson concludes with students sharing their learning, reflecting on their progress, and celebrating achievements.

When teaching Writing, we draw on the 6+1 Traits of Writing. Students learn to craft strong pieces by focusing on ideas, sentence fluency, organisation, word choice, voice, conventions, and presentation. This approach allows students to see themselves as writers, develop creativity, and continually improve through clear and structured feedback.

In Reading, we use the UFLI model to explicitly teach phonics, decoding, and fluency, alongside comprehension strategies. Students learn to select a “Just Right” book to ensure they can learn from their reading experience. They track their thinking in a Reader’s Notebook, reflecting on comprehension strategies and developing the ability to think within, beyond, and about the text. Teachers support students through mini-lessons, guided group work, and one-on-one conferencing, making reading a rich and engaging learning experience.

In our junior classrooms, students use decodable readers until they build strong foundational reading skills. These books are carefully matched to students’ phonics knowledge, allowing them to practise decoding words accurately and confidently. Research shows that phonics-based teaching is the most effective approach for early reading because it explicitly teaches the relationship between letters and sounds, helping children develop the skills they need to read unfamiliar words, improve fluency, and gain confidence. By starting with decodable readers, we give every child a solid foundation for lifelong reading success.

By combining the Workshop Model, UFLI, decodable readers, and evidence-based strategies, we provide every student with the skills, confidence, and love of literacy they need to thrive both in school and beyond.