Learning in EALD 🧡

We are halfway through the schooling year, and it is wonderful to reflect on the progress made in skills and confidence. A reminder that for eligible EALD students, Progress Map levels will also be included in their report to track their development. These levels provide valuable insights for both teachers and parents, helping to monitor a student’s progress with their Standard Australian English language skills. While these levels are a helpful guide, it is important to note that they are quite broad, and it may take time for students to fully consolidate every aspect of the level they are working in. The levels are assigned in collaboration with both the classroom teacher and myself. Students in Years P-2 use the Early Childhood Maps, while the Middle Childhood Maps are used for students in Years 3-6. 

It is important to keep using English during the school holidays, as well as your home language. Here are some ideas for holiday activities with your children that keep skills up: 

• Organise a play date with another family. Ride bikes. Visit a playground. Go on a walk or hike. Lots of time outside is positive.  

• Visit the local library. It is free to borrow books and its perfect weather to snuggle up and read! 

• Plan a meal together. Write the shopping list together in English, prepare the ingredients, cook, and serve! Lots of great vocabulary used in cooking such as well as measuring amounts which is important for maths literacy!

• Refer to an analogue clock when telling the time. Use specific language such as quarter part, half past, quarter to.  

• Play card games and board games. So many great skills come from this activity such as turn taking, strategy, numeracy skills, and literacy skills. It is a fantastic way to connect with your family and have lots of fun! 

• Take the bus or train to the city or Fremantle. Reading schedules, planning activities, spending pocket money, taking photos etc. It is a cheap way to be a tourist in your own city. 

• Write a postcard or diary entry if you are heading away on holiday. It’s a wonderful memento and a good way to practice writing skills.  

• Read and talk! As a family talk about what you are reading or watching. Discuss the setting and characters. Uplevel your adjectives. Give lots of detail. Ask lots of questions. This can be done in English or your home language.  

Take care and happy holidays! 

Sasha Key