English is made up of the strands of:
Reading - In this strand, pupils learn to interpret literary and factual texts. We now place grater emphasis on ‘Text Types’ in all strands of English.
Examples are: Narrative (story); Information Report (facts and information about a topic) and Recounts (retell).
Writing (includes Spelling) - Children learn to write and produce a variety of texts thereby achieving the ability to use such processes as drafting, revising, conferring, editing, proofreading and publishing.
Talking and Listening - Pupils learn to communicate and interact effectively for a variety of purposes and in various situations with different audiences such as friends, small groups and a whole class.
Grammar (not a strand) - Grammar is a method of describing how a language makes meanings clear within a culture. It is best taught in the context of the strands outlined above.
Public Speaking
Public Speaking is a very important and highly valued whole school program at O.L.D. It is part of the school’s English Curriculum in the area of Speaking and Listening and is conducted each year, throughout all of Term 2. Every child in the school participates and is instructed in both writing and delivering a successful speech. Each child is constructively evaluated and has the wonderful opportunity to represent their class in the end of term, whole school competition. Each year, we marvel at the extraordinary development in the high standard of the delivery and content of the children’s speeches.
The success of this program is evident in our students winning first place for the last two years, in the North Shore Cluster Public Speaking Competition.