Literacy

Victorian Early Years Literacy Program

 The Victorian Early Years Literacy Program (VELP) has been developed as a result of research into exactly what constitutes effective literacy programs in the early years of schooling. The program utilizes a range of strategies to support effective teaching and learning in this important area of schooling. They include:
· Appropriate school and classroom organisation
· Using specific classroom teaching strategies
· Providing intervention and special assistance for students when required
· Developing home/school partnerships
· Setting standards and targets for student achievement
· Ongoing monitoring and assessment
· Ongoing professional development for staff

Belle Vue’s approach to providing an effective literacy program for all students in Years Prep to 2 has been to continue to implement the strategies mentioned above, including:
·  Appointment of an Early Years Coordinator (Ms Somers)
·  Provision of four teaching staff for the three Junior classrooms to operate in each individual  class program from 9am to 11am
· Provision of individual and small group programs.


Reading Recovery

Reading Recovery is an intensive one to one Literacy support program aimed at excellerating the iteracy skills of students in Grade one. Students in Grade 1 are assessed on a variety of literacy skills. The Reading Recovery teacher will work closely with four students per day for a 30 minute intensive lesson. Students are usually in the program for up to 20 weeks before being discontinued.