Course Plan: English Literacy for Students with Learning Difficulties
Course Introduction
This course is designed for Year 10 students who experience difficulties in learning to read. It aims to provide targeted support, engaging strategies, and practical tools that promote literacy development. Over 30 lessons, students will explore various aspects of reading, focusing on phonemic awareness, vocabulary development, comprehension skills, and reading fluency. The course aligns with the Australian English Curriculum and emphasises a structured, multimodal approach tailored to meet the diverse needs of learners with specific challenges in reading.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Enhance phonemic and phonological awareness.
- Develop sight word recognition and vocabulary-building strategies.
- Improve reading fluency and comprehension skills.
- Engage with different text types and reading materials.
- Build confidence in their reading abilities.
Module 1: Foundations of Reading
Lesson 1: Understanding Learning Difficulties
- Introduction to learning difficulties in reading.
- Discussion on types of reading difficulties.
Lesson 2: The Importance of Phonemic Awareness
- Definition and significance of phonemic awareness.
- Activities to enhance phonemic recognition.
Lesson 3: Phonological vs. Phonemic Awareness
- Distinguishing between phonological and phonemic awareness.
- Interactive exercises focusing on phonological skills.
Lesson 4: Building Blocks of Reading - Phonics
- Introduction to phonics and its relevance.
- Phonics games and activities.
Lesson 5: Exploring Letter-Sound Relationships
- Understanding the link between letters and sounds.
- Guided practice with common letter-sound associations.
Module 2: Vocabulary Development
Lesson 6: The Importance of Vocabulary
- Exploring why vocabulary matters for reading.
- Identifying high-frequency sight words.
Lesson 7: Strategies for Vocabulary Acquisition
- Techniques for learning and retaining new words.
- Activities involving word games and visual aids.
Lesson 8: Using Context Clues for Understanding
- How to use context to infer meanings.
- Interactive reading exercises with context clues.
Lesson 9: Thematic Vocabulary Exploration
- Learning vocabulary through themes (e.g., animals, food).
- Creating thematic word maps.
Lesson 10: Visual Supports for Vocabulary
- Incorporating images and graphic organisers.
- Designing a personal vocabulary notebook.
Module 3: Enhancing Fluency
Lesson 11: What is Reading Fluency?
- Definition and components of reading fluency.
- Importance of fluency in reading comprehension.
Lesson 12: Practicing with Repeated Reading
- Method and benefits of repeated reading exercises.
- Selected texts for practice.
Lesson 13: Prosody and Expression in Reading
- Understanding prosody and its role in fluent reading.
- Activities focusing on intonation and expression.
Lesson 14: Using Technology to Build Fluency
- Introducing apps and software that support reading fluency.
- Hands-on experience with digital tools.
Lesson 15: Group Reading and Peer Support
- Benefits of reading in groups.
- Structured group reading activities.
Module 4: Comprehension Skills
Lesson 16: Introduction to Reading Comprehension
- Importance of comprehension for meaningful reading.
- Overview of comprehension strategies.
Lesson 17: Making Predictions While Reading
- Techniques for predicting text content.
- Practical exercises using picture books.
Lesson 18: Questioning the Text
- How to ask questions before, during, and after reading.
- Collaborative group discussions on sample texts.
Lesson 19: Summarising and Paraphrasing
- Importance and method of summarisation.
- Activities that promote summarisation skills.
Lesson 20: Graphic Organisers for Comprehension
- Using graphic organisers to aid understanding.
- Creating a comprehension map for a selected text.
Module 5: Engaging with Texts
Lesson 21: Exploring Different Text Types
- Introduction to narrative, informational, and persuasive texts.
- Identifying text features and structures.
Lesson 22: Reading Aloud for Engagement
- Benefits of reading aloud.
- Pair reading exercises focusing on engagement.
Lesson 23: Exploring Non-Fiction Texts
- Understanding and analysing non-fiction features.
- Critical reading of a non-fiction text.
Lesson 24: Creative Approaches to Fiction
- Engaging with fiction through character analysis and creative responses.
- Writing a character diary entry.
Lesson 25: Role-Playing and Drama
- Using role-play to enhance understanding of narratives.
- Group presentations based on a read text.
Module 6: Encouraging Reading for Pleasure
Lesson 26: Building a Love for Reading
- Discussing the importance of reading for pleasure.
- Sharing personal reading experiences and preferences.
Lesson 27: Introducing Book Clubs
- Benefits of participating in book clubs.
- Organising small group discussions about a chosen book.
Lesson 28: Reading Challenges and Rewards
- Setting personal reading goals.
- Creating a reading challenge with incentives.
Lesson 29: Family Engagement in Reading
- Strategies for encouraging reading at home.
- Developing a family reading plan.
Lesson 30: Reflecting on Progress and Celebrating Achievements
- Reflecting on personal reading growth throughout the course.
- Presentation of certificates and celebration of achievements.
Course Conclusion
This course provides a comprehensive framework through which Year 10 students with reading difficulties can develop essential literacy skills in an engaging and supportive environment. By aligning with the Australian Curriculum and focusing on multimodal strategies, this curriculum is designed to motivate, empower, and foster a lifelong love for reading. As students progress, they will not only improve their reading abilities but also build confidence in their literacy skills, equipping them for future academic challenges.