English Language
Curriculum Framework
The English Language instructional programmes in the classroom are aligned with the principles of language learning and teaching in the EL Syllabus. STELLAR (Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading) is an EL instructional programme that provides the instructional materials, teaching strategies and training to enable teachers to implement the EL syllabus. Adopted at all levels in CCKPS, this approach aims to strengthen the teaching of English Language through a balanced combination of explicit instruction in language skills, including grammar and phonics, and the use of age-appropriate literacy-rich experiences.
Students’ language use is reflected in the following areas of language learning:
-
Listening
-
Reading and Speaking
-
Writing and Vocabulary
In CCKPS, our English Language lessons
-
cater to a diverse range of EL learners in school
-
make extensive use of children’s stories and articles
-
have a great emphasis on foundational skills in grammar and vocabulary
-
enrich students’ learning through the use of stories and texts that engage and stretch our students’ imagination
-
provide students with opportunities to speak extensively, discuss and share their views with their teachers and peers
-
build students’ confidence in speech and writing
We have interesting programmes that are infused in our curriculum to enhance our students’ learning of the language.
Reading Programmes
Vision: Every student in CCKPS is a conscientious and engaged reader
At CCKPS, we hope to develop every student into a conscientious and engaged reader. Our Reading Programme is conducted through various platforms to inculcate the love for reading and to improve the literacy level of our students.
Reading Passports and Avid Readers
Reading Passports provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves
in activities related to reading such as character exploration and introduction
to various genres or authors. We also encourage students to read regularly
by acknowledging the top readers from each level through the termly Avid
Reader Awards..
Read for Books
In addition to encouraging students to read actively, we offer a platform for both students and staff to read for a good cause and share their love for reading with others. Riding on the National Library Board (NLB)’s Read for Books campaign, students and staff play their part for the community by simply taking part in a collective reading session of 15 minutes anywhere in the school. For every 10 individuals who read for 15 minutes, one book will be donated to selected beneficiaries.
Story Hype
Story Hype is an engaging reading programme designed to help CCKPS students make meaningful connections between what they know and what they read. By encouraging text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world connections, the programme fosters a deeper understanding of texts. In addition to that, Story Hype aims to expose students to a diverse range of books, serving as a platform for them to express their thoughts and ideas, thus developing their oracy skills. It takes place via two platforms – termly pre-assembly talks in the hall and during extensive reading periods in English Language classrooms.
Reading Leaders and Reps
To support the school’s Reading Programme, Reading Leaders are trained to promote reading to their peers by sharing selected books during termly pre-assembly talks and designing meaningful posters using Canva. Reading Reps also play a part in building a school-wide reading culture by creating an inviting class library.
Book Character Parade (Media Resource Library Programme)
Media Resource Library (MRL) in CCKPS aims to promote the love for reading
among our students and provide them the opportunities to develop the knowledge
and skills necessary to access library resources. To enhance the joy of
learning, students are also introduced to different themes and genre of
books. Our MRL holds Book Character Parade for our students yearly during
the Library Week. Primary 1 to Primary 4 students will dress up as book
characters to celebrate the magic of literature in a fun and creative way.
By stepping into the shoes of their favourite characters, students not
only express their love for stories but also gain a deeper understanding
of their characters’ personalities, challenges and triumphs. Our Book Character
Parade foster imagination, encourage reading and spark conversations about
the books that inspire our students.
On the Write Journey
This is a creative writing programme that we have introduced during our
English lessons which aims to inspire and develop students’ imagination,
language skills and self-expression. Through engaging activities, students
learn to articulate their thoughts creatively while building vocabulary,
grammar and sentence structure. The programme fosters a love for writing
and provide opportunities for students to share their work and learn from
one another.
Reading Circles
Reading Circles (RC) is an advanced reading programme for students to
engage with texts deeply and critically while developing their literacy
and communication skills. As part of the High-Ability Learners Programme,
RC is introduced to stretch students beyond the curriculum.
The Reading Circles uses a reader response approach to engage advanced
readers with a variety of rich texts. It is organised into different modules,
with each module built around a fictional text. Its goals are to extend
students' world experience and cultivate empathy, imagination, and perspective-taking
through collective inquiry and discussion.
Young Journalist Programme
The Young Journalist Programme (YJP) aims to empower participants with
essential 21st-century competencies by cultivating their listening, speaking,
reading, and writing skills. Through immersive experiences, participants
will:
-
conduct interviews
-
curate and edit news articles adhering to journalistic standards
-
develop foundational skills in photography and videography
-
edit video content for school events
By engaging in these authentic experiences, participants will cultivate critical thinking and effective communication skills, learn how to collaborate effectively in a team while developing digital literacy.
Poetry Appreciation
During Enrichment & Innovation Week, our students participate in a
Poetry Appreciation Module. The module aims to encourage students to explore
and enjoy language use in the form of poetry. It also serves to develop
students’ confidence in self-expression.
Our Primary 1 students explore the art of reciting and performing poems, bringing verses to life with their creativity and enthusiasm. Primary 2 students discover their creative flair by crafting their own stanza poems using their imagination.
For our Primary 3 and Primary 4 students, they dive deeper into shape or concrete poems, honing both their writing and representing skills as they integrate text and visual elements into their final masterpiece.
Targeted Literacy Support Programmes for students
Learning Support Programme (LSP) (P1 and P2)
LSP is a specialised early intervention programme that aims to provide
learning support to pupils who need additional help to improve their English
Language and Literacy skills. The LSP programme is conducted by trained
teachers.
School- based Dyslexia Remediation Programmes (SDR) (P3 – P4)
SDR is a two-year intervention programme that caters to the needs of pupils
with difficulties associated with dyslexia. It is an after-school programme
conducted in class sizes of four to six by specially trained teachers.
This programme helps students to level up their literacy skills so that
they can cope with the demands of the mainstream curriculum.
Reading Remediation Programme (RRP) (P3 – P5)
RRP supports Primary 3 to 5 students with literacy difficulties who are
not diagnosed with dyslexia. RRP aims to help these students read with
fluency and understanding. Students who were previously not on LSP and
assessed to be able to benefit from additional support at the end of Primary
2 can also be supported in RRP.