Literacy Basics Intro

Unit Context

• Unit: Literacy Boost for Year 7
• Lesson 1 of 30
• Duration: 60 minutes
• Class size: 6 students

---

Learning Objectives

Aligned to the Australian Curriculum v9 for English, Year 7:

• Understand and discuss what literacy means.
• Recognise the importance of literacy for learning and everyday life.
• Identify and describe key components that contribute to reading and writing skills including decoding, comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and spelling.
• Begin to apply comprehension strategies such as predicting and summarising to simple texts.

Specifically referencing:

• AC9E7LY05: Use comprehension strategies such as predicting and summarising to analyse and summarise information and ideas
• AC9E7LY06: Plan and create written texts using text structures and features appropriate to purpose

---

Lesson Overview

This lesson introduces the concept of literacy through interactive and engaging activities that give students a clear understanding of what literacy entails as a foundation for the entire unit. The activities are designed to be age-appropriate, collaborative, and reflective.

---

Resources

• Whiteboard or smartboard
• Printed examples of different text types (storybooks, instructions, advertisements)
• Graphic organiser worksheets (e.g., mind map for literacy components)
• Reading passage (150-200 words, simple informational text)
• Writing materials (notebooks, pencils)
• Projector or screen for visuals

---

Lesson Plan

1. Introduction to Literacy (10 minutes)

• Activity: Class Discussion
  • Start by asking: What does “literacy” mean to you?
  • Use a whiteboard mind map to record student ideas.
  • Explain literacy as the ability to read, write, and understand texts in different contexts.
  • Highlight that literacy is more than just reading and writing—it's essential for communicating, learning, and accessing information.

2. Why Literacy Matters (10 minutes)

• Activity: Group Brainstorm and Examples
  • Ask students: Where do we use literacy every day?
  • Provide examples like reading instructions, texting friends, understanding signs.
  • Students pair-share personal examples, then share with class.
  • Teacher emphasises the importance of literacy in school, future jobs, and daily life.

3. Components of Literacy (15 minutes)

• Activity: Interactive Presentation & Mind Mapping
  • Introduce key components: decoding (reading words), vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, spelling, and writing.
  • Show examples of each component with simple texts or sentences.
  • Students complete a graphic organiser, mapping these components with teacher guidance.
  • Discuss how these parts work together to make reading and writing possible.

4. Applying Comprehension Strategies (15 minutes)

• Activity: Read and Predict
  • Provide a short, engaging text.
  • Model ‘predicting’—ask students what they think the text will be about based on title and pictures.
  • Read passage aloud together.
  • Students summarise main ideas in pairs.
  • Discuss how predicting and summarising help readers understand texts better.

5. Reflect and Connect (10 minutes)

• Activity: Personal Literacy Goal Setting
  • Invite students to write a sentence or two on what they want to improve about their reading or writing during the unit.
  • Share these goals voluntarily with the class.
  • Teacher collects goals for ongoing reference.

---

Assessment and Monitoring

• Observe student participation during discussions and group work.
• Review graphic organiser completion for understanding of literacy components.
• Listen to responses during the reading prediction and summary activity to ensure comprehension strategies are understood.
• Collect personal goal statements to assess engagement and self-awareness.

---

Differentiation Strategies

• Provide scaffolded graphic organisers with sentence starters for students who need support.
• Use visuals and concrete examples to illustrate abstract concepts.
• Allow oral responses or drawing for students who struggle with writing.
• Offer extension by asking more advanced students to suggest additional literacy components or examples.

---

Teaching Notes and Tips

• Engage students with small group talk to foster collaboration and build confidence.
• Relate literacy importance to students’ interests and everyday experiences to build relevance.
• Keep language simple and explanations clear, gradually building complexity in future lessons.
• Use positive reinforcement to encourage participation and risk-taking with literacy tasks.

---

This introductory lesson sets the foundation for the "Literacy Boost for Year 7" unit by aligning activities directly with the Australian Curriculum’s focus on comprehension and creation of texts using appropriate structures and strategies. The balanced approach of discussion, collaboration, and practical application will engage year 7 students and support diverse learners effectively.

---

If you would like, I can also help develop detailed lesson plans for the subsequent lessons in the unit!