Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions
Year 1 English
A comprehensive Year 1 English curriculum focusing on the transition from phonemic awareness to fluent reading and expressive writing. Students explore diverse text types to build meaning and develop their own creative and informative voices.
The Magic of Narrative
Students explore the structure of stories and how characters are brought to life through descriptive language.
Identifying how authors use words and illustrations to show how characters feel and act.
Examining how the time and place of a story influence the events that occur.
Understanding the beginning, middle, and end structure of traditional and modern tales.
Informing Our World
Focusing on non-fiction texts to understand how information is organized and shared.
Identifying headings, labels, and diagrams in factual books.
Gathering facts from multiple sources to create a simple report.
Learning to write step by step instructions or explanations of natural processes.
The Sounds of Language
Strengthening phonics, spelling patterns, and the rhythmic beauty of poetry.
Exploring vowel digraphs and consonant blends to decode complex words.
Investigating how poets use sound patterns to create mood and pace.
Using adjectives and verbs to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind.
Speaking and Listening Skills
Developing confidence in oral communication through presentation and active listening.
Learning to speak clearly and use eye contact when sharing ideas with a group.
Practicing how to respond to others and ask clarifying questions.
Working in groups to solve problems or share opinions politely.
Sentence Structures and Grammar
Building the mechanical foundations of writing through punctuation and sentence variety.
Using conjunctions like 'and', 'but', and 'because' to create longer sentences.
Expanding simple sentences by adding detail to people, places, and actions.
Persuasion and Opinion
Exploring how language can be used to influence others and express personal viewpoints.
Learning to state a preference and provide a supporting reason.
Identifying words that make an argument stronger, like 'must', 'best', and 'important'.
Applying persuasive skills to a real world topic like school recycling or play equipment.