Literacy

Literacy in Primary School is taught within the units of inquiry. This means that reading and writing as well as spelling and vocabulary are always connected to the themes students work on within units.

First grade students at BCS first learn how to read and write in English. At the end of grade 1 German reading and writing follows.

To support our own programme we use the following resources in the first years:

Ruth Miskin

Ruth Miskin is one of the UK's leading authorities on teaching children to read. A solid knowledge of the English phonic system is important for the development of both reading and spelling skills. 

Oxford Reading Tree

Oxford Reading Tree is a comprehensive reading programme which provides everything students need to develop fluent, confident and motivated readers for life. The advatage of ORT are the different level, which can challenge students at each level in the classroom.

Nelson Handwriting

Nelson Handwriting provides a clear, practical framework for implementing and developing a whole-school handwriting policy.

Students learn printed letters in 1^st grade. Cursive writing is introduced by the end of 2^nd grade. Nelson Handwriting is an international handwriting where the changeover from print to cursive is easily made.

Students are actively encouraged to explore different styles of handwriting and to develop their own style.