English
ENGLISH
Vision and Mission
The vision of the English Department is to ensure that every student of Bendemeer is a confident and competent communicator. In order to realise this vision, the department has planned a six-year programme to provide our students with a strong foundation and exposure to rich language. The mission of the English Department is to inspire the love of learning through rich learning activities and positive role modelling. The English department has also embarked on Strategy-based instruction as its key approach to teaching EL.
Programmes
STELLAR (Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading)
STELLAR’s vision is for all children to develop a love for reading and hence the use of interesting and engaging stories in the STELLAR curriculum. The lower primary STELLAR strategies are the Shared Book Approach (SBA), the Modified Language Experience Approach (MLEA) and Learning Centres. The strategies at the Upper Primary are Guided Reading, Supported Reading, KWL and Retelling.
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Different learning station activities and games help cultivate a love for the language.
Students wrote an invitation to their teachers and Principal to attend a class party which everyone thoroughly enjoyed!
English learning through experience. Our students made sandwiches together and wrote about their experience.
Our students engaged in activities that encourage and inspire the love for English.
Reading
Reading is crucial to a child’s success across all contexts in school. The school has embarked on the “I Read, You Read, We Read” approach to reading where teachers positively role model reading. One period in the weekly timetable is set aside for reading. The objective of the reading period is to inculcate in students a love of reading. During the reading period, teachers weave in discussions based on Critical Literacy, and use newspapers to share about current affairs as well as visit the library to be immersed in the wonderful world of books. Other reading programmes include:
Book Talk: Primary 1 to Primary 5 Students are encouraged to write a synopsis of a book read. Then they would stand in front of their classmates and share what they have written. This also fosters confidence building and student-student relationship.
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Our students enjoying a good book in our school library.
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Making of bookmarks by the students. |
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A book talk conducted to inspire others to read. |
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Book Stop: To build a strong reading culture, Book Stop, which features the school mascot driving a mini-library of books, is brought to the canteen. By creating a print-rich environment in school, students are encouraged to read avidly at every opportunity.
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Students visit the Book Stop to read during recess
Writing
A spiral progression of skills is key to systematic teaching and learning of writing. Building on the principles of the Modified Language Experience Approach (MLEA) at the Lower Primary, the Writing Process Cycle (WPC) continues to provide students with guidance in planning, writing and reviewing their work at the Middle and Upper Primary levels.
In addition, Bendemeer Otter Times is the school’s annual publication that showcases good English compositions by our very own budding writers. In each issue, readers follow Ben, the school mascot, on an adventure to get inspiration and tips for good writing. In the process, our students are also inspired to adopt a Growth Mindset, taking concrete steps to improve their writing.
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Writing is so much fun in Bendemeer!
Celebrate Writing through our Bendemeer OTTER Times
We celebrate our young authors with our very own Otter Times. The attractive format of the publication inspires students to write well while earning a chance to be featured.
Volume 1(2022)
Volume 2 (2023)
Volume 3 (2024)
Flipbooks for Lower Primary Students
Let’s explore the stories written by our Primary 1, Primary 2 and Primary 3 students through flipbooks.
Stories By Our Primary 1 Writers 2024
Stories By Our Primary 2 Writers 2024
Stories By Our Primary 3 Writers 2024
A Pocketful of Phrases
The EL department has also come up wit a compilation of useful words and phrases for students to widen their vocabulary for speech and writing.
Oracy
The objectives of the Bendemeer Oracy Programme are to build confident and competent communicators who 1) understand the key features of spoken language; and 2) can craft presentations using a variety of skills and strategies, according to the purpose, audience, context and culture.
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Learning oracy through fun and authentic ways!
A Vibrant English Environment
Come as a Book Character Day
We celebrated our annual Come as a Book Character Day on Friday, 19 April with the theme, “Bring Your Character to Life”. Our students and teachers were encouraged to dress up as a character from a book.
The objectives of Come as a Book Character Day are to develop a lifelong habit of reading for enjoyment and nurture a love of reading in students.
In conjunction with Earth Day, students were encouraged to create a costume using recycled materials. During Art lessons, teachers supported the students with the crafting of the masks and costumes. Students were also given opportunities in class to share about the characters they dressed up as.
Reading was infused across various subjects throughout that day. During the Mother Tongue lessons, students shared about their characters in the respective Mother Tongue languages. Students heard engaging Math stories during their Math lessons and Science related activities were conducted during the lessons.
Speak Good English at BPS
The school’s very own Good English speaking mascot- Grammar Grandma makes her appearance once a term to remind students on the importance of speaking well. In addition to her highly entertaining yet educational talks there are quizzes for both staff and students on the right way to speak English!
Our students’ very own reader’s theatre performance with their handmade character masks.
Superspeaker Programme
The EL Department aims to build a culture of communication and conversation within the classroom. This is done in order to give students voice and build their confidence. We believe that by providing platforms for students to present in class as well as by giving them autonomy in the topics they would like to talk about, we can build their confidence in speaking to an audience. Every child will have an opportunity to present to their class in this programme that aims to nurture and culture of conversation within the classroom.
Useful Links
Good for online stories and games
https://www.storylineonline.net/
https://www.abcya.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/
http://www.roythezebra.com/
Good for downloading poems and teaching poetry
http://www.poetry4kids.com
Good for downloading Children's Songs
http://www.songsforteaching.com/animalsongs.htm
Good for teaching reading through phonics
http://www.starfall.com
Reference Resources
Dictionaries
http://dictionary.reference.com/ (Good
pronunciation feature)
Good for advice on Teaching English and Reading
http://www.rif.org/
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/
http://www.pbs.org/launchingreaders/
NLB online catalogue
http://www.nlb.gov.sg/