At “Handmaids”, great importance is placed on the teaching of English language within the day-to-day curriculum.
An ample time of about two hours of the teaching day in each year group is spent developing the pupil’s English skills through distinct but interrelated areas like Phonics, Letters (alphabet), Reading, Writing, Handwriting, Speaking and Listening.
We also aim at developing in the pupils, a life-long love for reading and appreciation of literary works. So, we encourage the love for reading and appreciation of literature in every child who passes through our school. This we achieve through Termly Book Fairs, Weekly visits to the school library for reading and borrowing of books, storytelling and review of selected authors’ works.
Pre-Nursery
In our Pre-Nursery School, we introduce the pupils into the world of the English Alphabet. At this level, priority is placed on reading and recognition of the letters with little attention on writing.
Daily reading sections help to prepare our pupils for a soft landing in the Nursery School.
Nursery School
In our nursery school, we begin with the reading and identification of letters of the alphabet. At this level, priority is placed on writing and formation of two to three letter words or more.
Integration of a well-structured and dynamic phonics programme helps to equip our pupils with the much needed building blocks that they require in order to advance in reading and writing.
The pupils are taught writing skills both individually and in small groups using carefully selected textbooks from well-respected children’s authors. This is to enable our pupils consolidate the budding awareness of spelling, word formation, syntax and punctuation.
Reading skill is taught both through shared reading text in class and guided reading in small groups. The pupils are also given opportunities to practice their newly learned skills during one – to – one individual reading with their class teacher or teaching assistant.
Handwriting is taught from the very beginning with more attention placed on legibility and neatness of work. This ensure that as our pupils work towards using more complex sentence structures and improving their vocabulary choices, their creativity is enhanced easily by their ability to record their thought quickly and fluently.
Basic School
In our basic schools, pupils take greater independence in writing creatively and expressing themselves through written word.
At the lower basic level, our pupils are introduced to guided composition writing to equip them with the basic skill of creative writing as well as articulation and expression of ideas and thoughts.
At the middle basic level, our pupils are exposed to dynamic creative writing sessions through both guided and unguided essay writing to further strengthen and consolidate their intellectual and creative potentials.
Grammar lessons help to ensure that our pupils are exposed to the basic rules of concord and syntax with the aim of improving and perfecting their spoken and written English.
Daily spelling drills help our pupils to improve and perfect their spelling skills as well as enhance their vocabularies.
Reading comprehension lessons teach our pupils an appreciation for a range of fiction and non-fiction works, with the aim of improving their reading skills, vocabulary and immersing them in an imaginary world.
Our basic 6 pupils are introduced to a closer study of selected author’s life and work as well as a wider appreciation of interactive and Criticism through reading and performing with a view to preparing them effectively for more detailed study through their year at secondary schools.
All these ensure that the pupils are well prepared for excellent performance in their common Entrance Examinations.