A Deep Dive into STELLAR 2.0 Primary English Syllabus Learning Outcomes

The Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading 2.0 (STELLAR 2.0) is a curriculum designed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for teaching English at the primary level in Singapore. Its main goal is to strengthen students’ foundation in grammar, oracy, writing, and reading, while promoting the love of reading and learning.

One of the standout features of STELLAR 2.0 is its unique blend of interactive and fun learning strategies that have been specifically developed to cater to the different learning styles of students. The curriculum uses a variety of strategies, including the Shared Book Approach (SBA), Modified Language Experience Approach (MLEA), and Differentiated Focused Lessons (DFLs). These strategies create an engaging and interactive classroom environment that encourages students to participate and share their thoughts, boosting their confidence in using English.

The latest PSLE MOE Comprehension syllabus as of 2023 here

FAQ’s for Primary English STELLAR

1. Question: What is the main goal of the STELLAR 2.0 program? Answer: The main goal of STELLAR 2.0 is to strengthen students’ foundation in grammar, oracy, writing, and reading, while promoting the love of reading and learning.
2. Question: What learning strategies are used in the STELLAR 2.0 program? Answer: The STELLAR 2.0 program uses a variety of strategies, including the Shared Book Approach (SBA), Modified Language Experience Approach (MLEA), and Differentiated Focused Lessons (DFLs).
3. Question: What happens during a Shared Book Approach (SBA) session? Answer: During an SBA session, teachers read aloud from big books. This is followed by class discussions where students are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas about the story.
4. Question: What is the Modified Language Experience Approach (MLEA)? Answer: In MLEA, students participate in a shared experience, such as a field trip or science experiment. After the shared experience, they discuss it and use it as a basis for writing texts.
5. Question: How do Differentiated Focused Lessons (DFLs) work? Answer: DFLs aim to provide instruction that is tailored to the varying needs and abilities of students. These lessons focus on teaching specific language skills, such as grammar or vocabulary, in a differentiated manner.
6. Question: How does the STELLAR program evolve as students progress from Primary 1 to Primary 3? Answer: As students progress, they continue to be exposed to the initial strategies, which become progressively more complex and challenging to ensure continuous improvement of their language skills.
7. Question: What new elements are introduced in STELLAR for Primary 4 to Primary 6? Answer: For Primary 4 to Primary 6, the STELLAR programme evolves to include Sustained Silent Reading (SSR), Reading Comprehension Strategies, Annotation, Supported Reading (SR), and the Writing Process Cycle (WPC).
8. Question: How does the STELLAR 2.0 program benefit parents? Answer: Understanding the STELLAR 2.0 approach can help parents better support their children’s English language journey at home. They can replicate some of these strategies to reinforce what is being taught in school and have more productive conversations with teachers about their child’s progress.
9. Question: What is the primary aim of STELLAR 2.0’s interactive and fun learning strategies? Answer: These strategies are designed to cater to different learning styles, promote active participation, and boost students’ confidence in using English.
10. Question: How do the strategies used in STELLAR 2.0 encourage critical thinking and comprehension skills? Answer: Through activities such as the Shared Book Approach and Modified Language Experience Approach, students are prompted to discuss and reflect on what they’ve read or experienced, thereby enhancing their critical thinking and comprehension skills.
11. Question: What skills are targeted in the Guided Writing component of STELLAR 2.0? Answer: Guided Writing provides direct instruction in writing skills, from sentence formation to narrative composition.
12. Question: How are DFLs adjusted according to students’ abilities? Answer: DFLs are differentiated to ensure that all students, regardless of their ability level, are able to understand and apply specific language skills effectively.
13. Question: How does STELLAR 2.0 help improve students’ reading skills? Answer: Strategies like Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) and Supported Reading (SR) provide students with a structured approach to improve their reading skills.
14. Question: What are Reading Comprehension Strategies in the STELLAR 2.0 program? Answer: These are a set of techniques that students are taught to help them better understand and interpret the texts they read.
15. Question: What is the Writing Process Cycle (WPC) in the STELLAR 2.0 program? Answer: The WPC is a structured approach to writing that involves stages such as prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
16. Question: How can parents use the STELLAR 2.0 methodology to support learning at home? Answer: Parents can replicate strategies like reading big books or having focused lessons on specific skills to reinforce what their children are learning at school.
17. Question: How does understanding the STELLAR 2.0 methodology help parents communicate with teachers? Answer: By understanding the methods used in the classroom, parents can better comprehend the teacher’s feedback and contribute more effectively to their child’s learning.
18. Question: What language skills does STELLAR 2.0 aim to improve? Answer: STELLAR 2.0 aims to improve a range of language skills including grammar, oracy, writing, and reading.
19. Question: How does STELLAR 2.0 foster a love for reading and learning? Answer: STELLAR 2.0 promotes the love of reading and learning by making the learning process interactive, engaging, and fun.
20. Question: How does STELLAR 2.0 prepare students for their future academic journey? Answer: By building a strong foundation in English and fostering a love for reading and learning, STELLAR 2.0 equips students with the necessary skills and mindset for their future academic journey.
21. Question: How does STELLAR 2.0 cater to different learning styles? Answer: STELLAR 2.0 employs a variety of strategies designed to cater to different learning styles, making lessons engaging and effective for all students.
22. Question: What is the purpose of using big books in the Shared Book Approach? Answer: Big books are visually engaging and can be easily viewed by the entire class, thus promoting interactive reading experiences.
23. Question: How does the Modified Language Experience Approach facilitate writing skills? Answer: By participating in shared experiences and discussing them, students are provided with meaningful contexts to base their writing on.
24. Question: What are the key components of Differentiated Focused Lessons? Answer: DFLs focus on teaching specific language skills, such as grammar or vocabulary, and are tailored according to the varying needs and abilities of students.
25. Question: How does Sustained Silent Reading contribute to students’ learning? Answer: Sustained Silent Reading allows students to practice and improve their reading skills at their own pace, helping to enhance comprehension and fluency.
26. Question: How does Annotation support learning in the STELLAR 2.0 program? Answer: Annotation helps students interact more deeply with the text by making notes, asking questions, and highlighting important points, thereby improving their comprehension.
27. Question: What kind of support does Supported Reading offer in STELLAR 2.0? Answer: Supported Reading involves the teacher providing guidance and feedback as students read, helping them to decode text, build vocabulary, and improve comprehension.
28. Question: How does the Writing Process Cycle enhance writing skills in students? Answer: The Writing Process Cycle guides students through different stages of writing, helping them to plan, draft, revise, and polish their work, thus improving their writing skills.
29. Question: How does STELLAR 2.0 ensure the continuous improvement of students’ language skills? Answer: The program uses progressively more complex and challenging strategies as students advance in levels, ensuring continual improvement in their language skills.
30. Question: How does STELLAR 2.0 aim to instill confidence in students in using English? Answer: By creating an engaging and interactive classroom environment that encourages students to participate and share their thoughts, STELLAR 2.0 helps to boost students’ confidence in using English.

Shared Book Approach (SBA)

During SBA sessions, teachers read aloud from big books, which are large-sized, visually engaging books that can be easily viewed by the entire class. This interactive reading experience is complemented by class discussions where students are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas about the story, thus enhancing their critical thinking and comprehension skills.

Modified Language Experience Approach (MLEA) and Guided Writing

In MLEA, students participate in a shared experience, such as a field trip or science experiment. After the shared experience, they discuss it with their classmates and teacher, using this as a basis for writing texts. Guided Writing then provides them with direct instruction in writing skills, from sentence formation to narrative composition.

Differentiated Focused Lessons (DFLs)

DFLs aim to provide instruction that is tailored to the varying needs and abilities of students. These lessons focus on teaching specific language skills, such as grammar or vocabulary, in a differentiated manner to ensure that all students are able to understand and apply these skills effectively.

As the students progress from Primary 1 to Primary 3, they will continue to be exposed to these strategies, which become progressively more complex and challenging. This ensures that students are continually improving their language skills at a pace that is appropriate for their learning level.

For Primary 4 to Primary 6, the STELLAR programme evolves to include Sustained Silent Reading (SSR), Reading Comprehension Strategies, Annotation, Supported Reading (SR), and the Writing Process Cycle (WPC). These new elements help consolidate their English language skills and deepen their understanding and appreciation of the language.

Benefits for Parents to Know

STELLAR 2.0 is designed to build a strong foundation in English from a young age. Knowing about the STELLAR 2.0 approach can help parents better support their children’s English language journey at home. They can replicate some of these strategies, such as reading big books or having focused lessons on specific skills, to reinforce what is being taught in school.

Also, understanding the STELLAR 2.0 methodology can help parents have more productive conversations with teachers about their child’s progress. By understanding the methods used in the classroom, parents can better comprehend the teacher’s feedback and contribute more effectively to their child’s learning.

Overall, STELLAR 2.0 provides a comprehensive, engaging, and effective framework for English language instruction in the primary years. This innovative and fun approach to learning English not only builds a strong foundation in the language but also fosters a love for reading and learning that will serve students well in their future academic journey.

Teaching and learning English in primary schools require a multifaceted approach, ensuring a comprehensive engagement with the language. This in-depth exploration of the Primary English Syllabus Learning Outcomes will shed light on the innovative methodologies employed by the Saint Anthony Primary School (SAPS) and how they align with the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) English Syllabus 2023.

SAPS adopts an integrated approach to teaching English that incorporates their unique Lasallian ethos and the Singapore Teaching Practice (STP) framework. The STP plays a pivotal role in guiding and supporting teachers in delivering effective and high-quality lessons, shaping students, or “Anthonians” as they are fondly referred to, into confident users of the English language.

STELLAR 2.0 Curriculum

A cornerstone of the school’s English language curriculum is the MOE’s Strategies for English Language Learning And Reading 2.0 (STELLAR 2.0) curriculum. From Primary 1 to Primary 3, STELLAR 2.0 utilises strategies such as the Shared Book Approach (SBA) and Modified Language Experience Approach (MLEA). These methods entail reading of large-format books, engaging in class discussions, explicit teaching of grammar and oracy skills, and fostering close and critical reading skills. Furthermore, the curriculum includes Differentiated Focused Lessons (DFLs) and extensive reading activities for a well-rounded learning experience.

STELLAR 2.0 for Primary 4 to Primary 6 students brings new elements into the mix, such as Sustained Silent Reading (SSR), Reading Comprehension Strategies, Annotation, Supported Reading (SR), and the Writing Process Cycle (WPC). These strategies are geared to enhance students’ foundation in grammar, oracy, writing, and reading. Additionally, the STELLAR curriculum also fosters receptive and productive skills, namely Reading and Viewing, Listening and Viewing, Writing and Representing, Speaking and Representing, and Grammar and Vocabulary.

Library Programme

The SAPS English language curriculum is further supplemented by their collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB). By executing signature reading programmes such as Book Buzz and Book Bugs, students are exposed to a variety of genres, thereby cultivating their love for reading. Additionally, the school also designs its Library Curriculum, which is aligned with the school’s English Language curriculum, providing a more immersive experience.

Moreover, the school’s library runs a host of activities based on monthly themes, offering students a chance to serve as School Librarians, thus learning about the library’s administration and operations. Collaborations also extend to conducting the Raising Readers workshop for parents of Primary 1 and 2 students, enabling them to choose appropriate books and create positive reading experiences for their children.

Remedial and Support Programmes

Recognising that students learn at different paces and may have varying needs, SAPS implements several support programmes. The Learning Support Programme (LSP) is an early intervention initiative for Primary 1 and 2 students with weak language and literacy skills. The Reading Remediation Programme (RRP) caters to Primary 3 and 4 students who still struggle with reading despite the LSP intervention.

There is also a School-based Dyslexia Remediation (SDR) programme, a two-year intervention plan for Primary 3 and 4 students with dyslexia. The support programmes are tailored to help students build their reading, spelling, and comprehension skills, enabling them to better cope with regular classroom learning.

Reading and Speaking Programmes

The school also runs several reading and speaking programmes like the kidsREAD and Little Red Dot (LRD) programmes, promoting a love for reading and awareness of current affairs, respectively. English Language Speech Arts (E.L.S.A.), a school-based initiative, nurtures students to be confident and empathetic communicators by providing opportunities to practice their oratorical skills through a variety of speaking and representing activities.

The Talent Development Programme (TDP) offers additional avenues for honing debating and public speaking skills. The English Club, through storytelling and drama activities, immerses students in a language-rich environment and helps develop teamwork, creativity, and language skills.

Writing Programme

Writers on the Web (WoW), a unique writing programme, provides students with opportunities to write and share their compositions on a secure online platform. By posting compositions online and receiving peer feedback, students learn the value of different perspectives and gain a greater sense of purpose in their writing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the English STELLAR 2.0 syllabus learning outcomes in SAPS, guided by the MOE’s English Syllabus 2023, emphasises holistic development in language and literacy skills. By engaging students in various immersive activities, the school aims to enhance their reading, writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills, fostering confident and effective users of the English language.