Additional Programs

Mathletics 2009 ~  Numeracy web-based learning program

Mathletics is the next generation in learning as it helps students enjoy maths and achieve great results. Students use the web-based learning program in many ways at school and can integrate home and school learning via the internet. Your child has 24 hour access to Mathletics by using a user name and password. Some homework, extra activities to reinforce mathematical understanding, competition using ‘Live Mathletics’ against other children in Australia and around the world and maths just for fun are just some of the ways this valuable tool can be used.  

 Benefits of Mathletics

• Mathletics is adaptive which means that it responds to the individual student’s strengths and weaknesses
• Students instantly know if they are on the right track and can work through the curriculum at their own pace
• Animated support guides students through concepts at their own pace which is like having a personal maths tutor 24 hours a day!
• Live Mathletics fosters a stimulating and exciting online learning community
• Results flow seamlessly between home and school so you can stay informed of your child’s progress
• Weekly parent emails allow you to monitor your child’s progress
• Students are engaged and motivated to learn

Fast ForWord Program ~ 2009 a computer based program that assists children to develop skills that enhance memory, attention, processing and sequencing skills.

Fast Forword is a computer-based program we have introduced into the school to support individual students.  There has been a growing body of neuro-scientific research to indicate the effectiveness of a computer program that assists children to develop skills that enhance memory, attention, processing and sequencing skills – all pre-requisite skills for efficient, fluent reading. This program works on the basis that spending one hour per day, 5 days per week over a school term (10 weeks) will assist the student to further develop these skills. There are a variety of Fast ForWord programs – each with a specific purpose: Language, Language to Reading & Reading Programs. The cost of Fast ForWord depends on the number of computers and the number of programs being used. As a trial basis, we have installed 2 computers to run 4 different Fast ForWord programs. These computers are used for 5 x 1 hour sessions per day and this allows 10 students per term (40 students per year) to access the Fast ForWord programs. Clearly, the cost is huge when there are only 40 students that can benefit from participating. However, this cost is shared between the 40 students. We are confident that we will be able to expand the  program in the future as demand is high. Student progress is carefully monitored and feedback between student, teacher and parent is regular and supportive. More information - see Stephen Hayes

 

Go to www.fastforword.com.au

 

 

Spelling Mastery Program ~ 2009

The Spelling Mastery Program was first introduced to our year 1/2 in 2005. The improvement in student performance in Spelling was noticed immediately. In 2006 – 7 it expanded to include year 3/4 classes. Teaching staff and teacher aides lead the program and assist to reduce the size of the year 1/2 and year 3/4 groups.

The program is evaluated very carefully, with students pre-tested (to determine their placement in the program) and post-tested (on a number of measures) to determine their overall success in the program. Post-program testing has consistently demonstrated excellent student progress over the past three years and this success has transferred to the students’ writing skills. Other evidence of the students’ success in the program has been shown in the AIM test results of Year 3 students in 2006 and 2007:   In 2006, the Year 3 students had participated in the Spelling Mastery Program in Year 2 (2005). Their AIM test results were well above State and Like School Group results. (These results were impressive as this cohort of students performed at a lower level than the previous years’ students in all areas except Spelling). In 2007, the Year 3 students’ AIM test results were again outstanding –significantly better than State and Like School Groups. (These students had participated in Spelling Mastery in Years 1, 2 and 3). In 2008, both our Year 3 & Year 5 NAPLAN test results were significantly better than State and LSG group results. The trend upwards is clearly visible at all Year 1 - 4 levels.  

 

There can be no doubt that, Spelling Mastery is an outstanding program for teaching effective spelling strategies to students. However, over the past few years there has been a significant cost to Eltham North to implement the  program in the format we deliver it. ie this has involved employing additional staff to teach the Spelling Mastery Program each week (6 x ½ hour sessions each).  As it is in the best interests of the students to work in groups smaller than average class sizes in 2008 we will continue to enable the program to operate (with smaller group sizes). 

 

Write To Read ~ 2009 ~ A Writing Approach to Reading = Integrated Systematic Literacy Instruction

Write To Read is a course designed for teaching Spelling, Writing and Reading. Write To Read develops a system of skill building for Foundational Literacy Skills which rely on multi-sensory perceptual work, breaking down the complex reading and writing system into small units of understanding.  The philosophy of the program is based on: multi-sensory learning, children being empowered by learning, encouraging analystical thinking, requiring quality work children are proud of, articulation of knowledge, children become in control of learning, children become independent learners, understanding needs of students with learning difficulties. Write To Read has two components: 

 

Teachers  learn highly effective strategies for instruction which develops their teaching style as well as assist in the organisation of their lesson content.

Students  learn through effective teacher delivery and precisely explained content.

   

During 2008 our class teachers completed the 3 day certificate one course and 5 day certificate two course. I am ever so proud by the level of commitment our teachers have made to participate in these courses. Using Write To Read, students are taught the skills that are the tools needed to learn to read and spell. Children become empowered, more independent thinkers who are in control of their learning. Students truly experience the joy of learning. As you can see this is a ‘powerful’ statement and an amazing new initiative that Eltham North has fully committed to implement. The cost involved in training the whole staff is huge but the value for the teachers and children is worth every cent. During 2009 Support teachers and aides are completing the level 2 course. More details ..... below

 

Write To Read is an intensive training course for teachers (45 hours of instruction) in the essential components found by research to be necessary for successful reading instruction.  These areas are: Phonemic Awareness, Explicit Systematic Phonics, Reading Fluency, Vocabulary Development, Comprehension Strategies and Teacher Training.  Write To Read integrates the following elements:

Reading Fluency: Read for spelling and reading, teacher modellling, repetitive reading of same text for decoding, meaning and expression.

Spelling / Decoding: Phonemic awareness, phonics & decoding for reading, handwriting / manuscript, cursive, rule application and fluency.

Comprehension: Literary analysis, understanding text structure, comprehension strategies.

Writing: Sentences, paragraphs, composition, story writing, essays, poetry, grammar.

Vocabulary lessons: explicit instruction, multiple exposure to words in different contexts.

Listening and Clear Speaking.

 

Write To Read Overview diagram (PDF 67 Kb)