REMEDIAL THERAPY DEPARTMENT
THE REMEDIAL DEPARTMENT’S ROLE AT DELTA PARK SCHOOL
The main aim of the Remedial Department is to bridge the gap between where our learners currently function academically and where they should be. The role of the Remedial therapist is to assist learners to overcome or cope with their learning difficulties. It focuses on skills rather than content.
Therapy focuses on various aspects of learning, depending on the grade level and needs of the learners. The skills we mainly focus on are: phonics (sound recognition, blending, segmenting and phoneme manipulation), listening skills, comprehension skills, language skills, vocabulary and study skills.
HOW REMEDIAL THERAPY IS UNDERTAKEN AT DELTA PARK SCHOOL
• We do therapy with the foundation phase and the intermediate phase:
o Learners are assessed annually and a profile for each learner is compiled to monitor progress
o Assessment focuses on reading, spelling, writing and comprehension
• We incorporate games, books and many fun activities into therapy to make it as interactive as possible as we focus on skill acquisition rather than content
• Learners in the foundation phase are seen in groups of 3-4 learners, twice a week
• Learners in the intermediate phase are seen in groups of 4-6 learners once a week
• We do not do therapy with High School learners, however, we provide an annual study skills workshop for specific grades
• We do individual remedial therapy on a referral basis for those learners who need academic support
• Maths and Afrikaans individual therapy is also done on a referral basis
• Therapists are also trained in various learning programmes to remediate reading and spelling abilities, such as Rave-O and PREP (pass reading enhancement programme)
• We provide exam assistance for learners who qualify for special concessions
• We provide learners who qualify for special concessions with audio aid to assist them with studying
READING AT DELTA PARK SCHOOL
• All remedial therapists are trained in the Read For Africa Phono-Graphix programme
o Teachers can also use this method to teach reading and spelling within the classroom
• A reading programme has been developed to create a love for reading as well as to encourage the “book shy” learner to read
o The programme rewards learners for reading at the end of each term
o Every alternate Tuesday we have a reading period
The aim of the period is to read for fun, encouraging both teachers and learners to get involved
o Reading Civvies Day
Learners dress up according to a book that they have recently read and are awarded prizes for their efforts
o Reading Week
This occurs in the 3rd term and the Remedial Department has a week of reading activities for the learners
• We have a Buddy Reading Day
o Twice a year we organize Buddy Reading Day, where an older learner reads to a younger learner and vice versa
• We have a Paired Reading launch twice a year
o Paired Reading is an excellent way for parents to help their children improve their reading
