English / Year 2 / Language / Phonics and word knowledge

Curriculum content descriptions

Understand that a sound can be represented by various letter combinations (ACELA1825)

Elaborations
  • recognising sounds that can be produced by different letters, for example the long ‘a’ sound in ‘wait’, ‘stay’, ‘able’ and ‘make’
General capabilities
  • Literacy Literacy
ScOT terms

Speech sounds

Text

Getting started with a phonics progression

This professional learning module explains how to use a phonics progression for reading and spelling, and outlines the skills required for phonological and phonemic awareness development. It contains a recording of a webinar, free downloadable resources and further professional reading. It is the first of seven modules ...

Video

Introduction to SSP - Module 3: key understandings

This 13-minute professional learning video, presented by literacy expert Jocelyn Seamer, discusses key understandings of a systematic, synthetic approach to teaching phonics. It includes information on alphabetic code, sight words, blending and how to meet the needs of all children in the classroom. The other videos in ...

Video

Introduction to SSP - Module 4: features of a systematic synthetic phonics approach

This 23-minute professional learning video, presented by literacy expert Jocelyn Seamer, discusses the features of a systematic, synthetic approach to teaching phonics. It includes information on decodable texts, alphabetic code, and how to teach new sounds. The other videos in the series are; The research base of structured ...

Video

Introduction to SSP - Module 2: framework for evidence-informed reading instruction

This 14-minute professional learning video, presented by literacy expert Jocelyn Seamer, discusses the framework for evidence-informed reading instruction. It includes information on the Simple View of Reading, Scarborough’s Reading Rope model and the Big Six of reading instruction (oral language, phonological awareness, ...

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Explicit instruction for phonics - an instructional model

This self-paced learning module explains the principles of explicit instruction, and outlines an instructional model for reading and spelling, with practical guidance for implementation. It contains a webinar, free downloadable resources and further professional reading. It is the second of seven professional learning modules ...

Video

Introduction to SSP - Module 1: the research base of structured literacy

This 13-minute professional learning video, presented by literacy expert Jocelyn Seamer, introduces the Science of Reading and explains the implications this body of research has for teaching reading. You will learn about the evidence base that supports the Science of Reading, Sweller's cognitive load theory and Dehaene's ...

Video

Feathers, Fur and Fins: A song about goannas

Goannas are a type of Australian lizards. Listen to the lyrics of the song performed by Don Spencer that asks lots of fun questions about goannas. Watch some goannas moving through the bush and looking for food.

Video

Radio National: The 'H' wars

How do you pronounce the letter ‘h'? Why do you think there is more than one way to pronounce this letter? Watch this video to find out why some people may pronounce the letter ‘h' as 'aitch' as opposed to 'haitch'. If you'd like to learn more on this topic, visit this site.

Online

TrackSAFE Education Primary School Resources: Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 English

This unit of work focuses on developing student understanding of the importance of being track safe and the key message 'Stop, Look, Listen, Think'. It builds students' familiarity with the vocabulary and key concepts related to rail safety and provides differentiated activities for writers at different stages of development ...

Interactive

Letter planet: sh, ch, th

Help a stranded space traveller return home by filling three fuel tanks with words that have the same letter pattern. Select words with combinations of 'sh', 'ch' or 'th'. Read and listen to model words. Select similar words with the same pattern and place them in the fuel tank. Then construct sentences by putting words ...

Interactive

Letter planet: oo, ee, ai

Help a stranded space traveller return home by filling three fuel tanks with words that have the same letter pattern. Select words with combinations of 'oo', 'ee' or 'ai'. Read and listen to model words. Select similar words with the same pattern and place them in the fuel tank. Then construct sentences by putting words ...

Online

Creating change as a literacy coach

This teacher resource describes how a literacy coach made a substantial difference to students' literacy achievements, teachers' involvement in literacy strategies and whole-school culture at Allendale East Area School in South Australia. Organised in nine sections: Summary; Target student group; Method; Results; Lessons ...

Online

Principals as Literacy Leaders Project

This teacher resource describes the Principals as Literacy Leaders (PALL) professional learning strategy aimed at strengthening the capability of school principals to bring about improvement in the reading abilities of students in low socioeconomic status and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The resource ...

Online

Meeting Initial Needs In Literacy

This teacher resource is about the Meeting Initial Needs In Literacy (MiniLit) program and its trial with 22 Foundation and year 2 students in a NSW regional public school. MiniLit is an intervention program providing instruction to small groups of young children struggling with reading. The resource describes how MiniLit ...

Online

Language, learning and literacy in the early years

This teacher resource describes the Language, Learning and Literacy (L3) program implemented in New South Wales public schools to address early disparities in children's language, reading and writing. Organised in nine sections: Summary; Target student group; Method; Results; Next steps; Lessons learned; Research base; ...

Online

Smarter Schools approach to teaching beginning reading and spelling

This is a teacher resource about the Smarter Schools strategy successful implemented by 30 Catholic and independent schools in Tasmania to improve the progress of students in reading and spelling. The strategy uses mainly an oral language approach to teaching phonics and phonemic awareness in an integrated and systematic ...

Interactive

Syllabus bites: types of sentences

A web page resource with information, teacher guides and activities on types of sentences to support the Australian Curriculum in English K–10. It has detailed activities, links to resources and quizzes.

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Spelling generalisations

This document outlines spelling generalisations included in the Literacy Hub phonics progression and explains teaching points relating to each one that may be used to support instruction in your systematic, synthetic phonics aligned classroom.

Video

Following an evidence-based phonics progression

Literacy specialist Elaine Stanley presents this webinar extract. She provides an overview of the key elements of a quality, evidence-based phonics progression and explains how to follow a phonics progression in your classroom.

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Choosing and using decodable texts

This self-paced learning module explains the process of orthographic mapping, how decodable texts support this process and how to choose quality decodable texts and use them in your classroom. It contains a webinar, free downloadable resources and further professional reading. It is the third of seven professional learning ...