Today, I had the pleasure to observe Mica’s Year 3 English session with her primary student Angus from 4-5 pm. Given that this was the first lesson of the term, Mica focused on refreshing key English skills the student may have forgotten, while also introducing new concepts in a structured and engaging way. The session effectively blended foundational skills in spelling and reading, ensuring that the student felt prepared and confident for the term ahead.
Mica began with brief spelling activities, using a NAPLAN-style test to familiarise the student with common word patterns and spelling conventions. She guided the student through tricky words, prompting them to identify common vowel combinations and sound out unfamiliar words. When the student struggled, Mica provided helpful hints rather than immediate answers, so the student could find these on their own. This approach helped reinforce long-term retention while building the student’s knowledge in tackling spelling challenges.
Following the spelling activity, Mica conducted a quick review of key English vocabulary that the student may have missed or forgotten. She covered essential grammar rules, sentence structure, and punctuation, using simple examples to make these concepts easy to grasp. Her explanations were clear, ensuring the student could apply these skills in their own writing.
She then transitioned into reading comprehension, where the student practiced answering passage-based questions. Mica selected different narrative texts to expose the student to a variety of writing styles, and at times even let the student pick their own texts which they thought were the most interesting, making them enjoy the excercise a little more. When the student encountered difficult vocabulary or multiple choice, Mica broke down the text into manageable areas, using guiding questions to lead them to the correct answers.
Throughout the lesson, Mica’s supportive and structured approach ensured that the student remained engaged and actively participated in each task. By the end of the session, the student had not only refreshed core skills from last year, but also gained a stronger grasp of reading comprehension techniques. Her thoughtful lesson structure ensured that the student left the session feeling more prepared. Thank you Mica!
Eleni Nicholas
