‘Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life’ was published in 2011. The strategy sets targets for improving literacy and numeracy standards to be achieved.
Literacy
Literacy is a vital aspect of education and life-long learning. Without integrating literacy consistently within our education system, all other learning is compromised. We now have a broader, more holistic understanding of literacy and we understand that literacy encompasses much more than just reading and writing.
The Department of Education and Skills (2011, p. 8) defines literacy as “the capacity to read, understand and critically appreciate various forms of communication including spoken language, printed text, broadcast media, and digital media.”
Here at Stepaside ETSS, we aim to prepare our students to take their place as self-confident, articulate young people who will meet the challenges of modern life with composure, resilience and courage.
In response to the national strategy (2011-2020) to improve literacy, Stepaside ETSS has developed a series of initiatives to boost both students’ literacy, and digital literacy capacities.
Stepaside ETSS Literacy Targets
Our 2 core targets Stepaside ETSS will focus on this year are the correct implementation of:
- Full stops
- Capital letters
These targets have been chosen in order to improve students sentence structure and coherence.
Stepaside ETSS Literacy Strategies
These targets will be promoted at a school-wide level by the incorporating the following strategies:
- All teachers will use a literacy pen/specific highlighter/colour to correct mistakes for capital letters and full stops and provide oral feedback regularly.
- Teachers will put up a small poster on their doors to show what book they are reading, a blurb to briefly describe it, whether they like it/dislike it, if they would recommend it. This it to be kept short to encourage participation and engagement from students.
Some extra activities for the students that will be taking place over the year include:
- 'Drop Everything And Read' week to encourage reading for pleasure
- Poetry competitions and story competitions within the school
- Travel writing practice
- Students to build and manage school library - TY's oversee this
- Bookmark competition
- Literacy activities and resources available for teachers to use throughout the year
- Debate and Public Speaking Team
- Weekly spelling quiz posted on board in hallway
Literacy Links
- Supporting Literacy at Home
https://www.pdst.ie/primary/literacy/literacyathome
- EAL Assessment Information
https://www.pdst.ie/sites/default/files/EAL%202%20assessment%202013.pdf
- Assessing Literacy Difficulties
https://www.education.ie/en/Education-Staff/Information/NEPS-Literacy-Resource/NEPS-Resource-Assessing-Literacy-Difficulties.pdf
Numeracy:
Numeracy involves skills that aren’t always taught in the classroom – the ability to use numbers and solve problems in real life.
Being numerate means having the confidence and skill to use numbers and mathematical approaches in all aspects of life.
Here in Stepaside ETSS we are committed to promote numeracy at a school-wide level by:
- Creating a numeracy rich environment
- Encouraging a positive approach to numeracy and develop students’ confidence in using numeracy skills
- Engaging a whole school approach to developing numeracy skills
- Seeking the involvement of parents and guardians in developing numeracy skills
Stepaside ETSS Numeracy Targets
- To improve students' attainment in Proportion
- To implement the numeracy strategy across the whole school
- To engage in cross-curricular activities promoting numeracy across the whole school
Stepaside ETSS Numeracy Strategies
- Numeracy based problem solving tasks made available for all staff to share with students
- Numeracy based activities and tasks made available to all students on the ‘Numeracy Board’
- Mathletes
- Numeracy based competitions held throughout the year, e.g. during Maths Week
Numeracy Links
- Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life
Supporting Numeracy at Home