We are committed to the holistic development of all pupils.  We see the development of their fluency in the English language as being central to this process.  We believe that the ability of our pupils to communicate fluently, confidently and effectively will contribute greatly to the development of their self-esteem and their personal growth.  We also believe that their academic progress depends to a large extent on their ability to communicate orally and through the written word.  In our school, therefore, we attach a high priority to giving pupils a command of English.

Literacy Lift Off

Literacy Lift Off is an intervention that gives children lots of opportunities to read books at their own level of competency and gradually lift the complexity of what they can do in both reading and writing.

In Scoil Naomh Iósaf, we strive to develop a life-long love of reading in all our pupils. The gift of reading allows children to experience a whole world of excitement and opportunity.

Our Literacy Lift Off programme is implemented in all classes from Senior Infants to Third Class. The children read books from all six genres – Narrative, Recount, Report, Procedural, Explanation, Persuasive. The school has invested in high quality fiction and non-fiction books to supplement the delivery of this programme.

During the Literacy Lift Off session, children will participate in a variety of teaching stations including:

• Oral Language Station
• Phonological Awareness/Word Study Station
• New Book Station
• Familiar Book Station
• ICT/Writing Station

Buddy Reading

Children in Junior and Senior Infants continue their exploration of books with a little help from the student of 5^th & 6^th. In Buddy Reading the older children will pair up with a few boys from the younger classes to explore pictures and text in different books. It provides a really comfortable environment for the younger children to express their opinion and converse freely about the meaning of pictures and events within each book. We begin with picture books to facilitate discussion before moving on to books with text and pictures.

​During Buddy Reading, buddies will:
1. Take turns in reading to aid the development of fluency skills
2. Support buddies in decoding and comprehension
3. Practise questioning skills
4. Keep a reading record