InitiaLit FAQ's
What is InitiaLit?
InitiaLit is an evidence-based whole-class literacy program which will provide all children with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations to become successful readers and writers. InitiaLit is a three-year program, covering the first three years of school (typically Foundation to Year 2).
Who is InitiaLit for?
InitiaLit is suited for children in the first three years of school (Foundation to Year 2).
What is the focus of InitiaLit?
InitiaLit is designed to be implemented across the four terms of the school year. InitiaLit–F and InitiaLit–1 focus on two main components:
- Phonics, to systematically and explicitly teach the basic and advanced alphabetic code in a set sequence. Children will be introduced to letter-sound correspondences, common morphemes and simple grammatical concepts.
- Vocabulary, oral language and listening comprehension through quality children’s literature. Detailed lessons, including writing tasks, are provided for each of the storybook titles selected.
In InitiaLit–2, the scope of the program broadens to cover four main components:
- Spelling, teaching the remainder of the advanced alphabetic code systematically and explicitly, as well as new spelling rules and morphological concepts.
- Reading comprehension and fluency. This includes explicitly teaching students comprehension strategies and how to apply them to different types of text.
- Grammar, in which children learn key grammatical features and how to apply them to a writing task.
- Vocabulary, oral language and comprehension through children’s literature.
MiniLit FAQ's
What is MiniLit?
MiniLit is an evidence-based, explicit and effective early literacy intervention program for teaching reading skills and is designed for young children in Years 1 and 2. The program is designed to be delivered daily, for 45 minutes, 4-5 times a week to small groups of up to five students who require additional support in learning to read during their foundation years of schooling.
What does MiniLit consist of?
MiniLit consists of 100 carefully structured lessons and is divided into two levels, Levels 1 and 2, with 50 lessons at each level. There are three main components of each lesson:
- Sounds and Words Activities
- Text Reading, and
- Story Book Reading
Do all students start at the same point?
No. A Placement Test allows us to work out the ideal starting point for each student. Students are then grouped according to the results of the Placement Test.
Is MiniLit suitable for EAL/D students?
Yes. The systematic, explicit approach will help students from other language backgrounds learn the phonic code for spoken English and apply it to reading and writing.
How long will students be on the program?
The length of the time spent on the program can vary considerably, depending on where the student started and their rate of progress. Most students will need at least two to three terms of intensive intervention.
MacqLit FAQ's
What is MacqLit?
A systematic and explicit small group reading intervention program (4-5 students) for use in primary and high schools. It is particularly suited to those students who have not mastered the alphabetic code, reading fluency and require systematic and structured intervention.
Who is MacqLit for?
MacqLit targets students in Year 3 and above who require additional instruction and learning in the area of word recognition /decoding and reading fluency.
What is the focus of MacqLit?
MacqLit includes instruction in the five pillars of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension, with the main focus on learning and applying the alphabetic code. Accurate and fluent word recognition is taught along with reading practice in sentence and story reading. Reinforced Reading, a component of MacqLit, ensures that the students are given sufficient opportunity to practise their reading in connected texts. The primary focus of MacqLit is teaching students the alphabetic code.
Is MacqLit suitable for English language learners (ESL and EALD students)?
Many English language learners are eager to learn how English works. These students would greatly benefit from explicit instruction in the sounds of English, which are often different from the sounds of their own language. MacqLit offers systematic instruction in the alphabetic code and pronunciation of words.
How many students in a group and how are they grouped?
A group is no more than 4-5 students. Groups may need to change in number as the program progresses in response to pace and skill level of individual students. Students should be grouped according to their skill level.
How long does a MacqLit lesson take?
A MacqLit lesson will typically take up to one hour to deliver.
