CLOSE PROXIMITY: Keira Roarty, James Gregory and Madeline Harrison enjoy reading with teacher Audrey Brown. Photo MARK LOGAN 0507mlliteracy2
MANY infant schools across the region have adopted a new literacy program which has meant a 17 per cent increase in students reading and writing levels.
The language learning and literacy program allows infant school teachers o spend time with only three children at once enabling a more personalised level of care according to Orange Public School teacher Audrey Brown.
Ms Brown said the program lessens the gap between lower achieving children and higher achieving children.
“When we compared results from the trial run last year it was obvious the new system made a dramatic difference in learning ability, she said.
“It is an explicit systematic approach.”
School principal Toni MacDonald said a number of schools in the region have adopted the program because of the results shown at the school. She said teachers spent time away from class to undergo specialised training to run the program.
“When we looked at the results we were surprised the program had made such a difference.” said Mrs MacDoanald.
Keira Roarty who is five years old said she really liked working with a smaller group of friends.
“It doesn’t make you lose concentration of what you’re doing,” she said.
