Implementing an effective literacy

program

What’s involved?

•A whole school oral language program.

•Independent Reading

•MRPS Writing Process

•Literacy intervention programs: individual and small group

Monitoring our success

Collecting data: running records (including a major emphasis on comprehension); ob surveys; On Demand testing.

NAPLAN results: 2011 Year 3 @ National Benchmarks in most areas.

Using our Assessment Tracker to record and monitor progress.

Why Independent Reading?

Questioning our reading program:

Are we just teaching children to “bark” at words?

How are we teaching comprehension, particularly in the junior grades?

How much of what we are doing is “busy” work whilst we focus on our guided reading groups?

Our “WOW!” moments

Two important events happened:

1. Debbie Miller Reading with Meaning

2. A PD on Independent Reading

So what does Independent Reading involve?

Each reading session involves:A book chatA mini-lessonIndividual conferencesA task / Reading Journal /Reading ResponseFocus group: Guided Reading / Reciprocal

ReadingIndependent reading timeSharing

Book Chat

Engages children’s interest.

Models how we “think” as we read.

Minilessons

A 10 – 15 minute instruction session with an explicit teaching focus.

Focus may involve:Management skills e.g.

Choosing “just right” books, keeping a record of reading.

Reading skills and strategies

Anchor charts help remind children about explicit focus.

Independent Reading Time

Students:

read continuously.

select “just right” books with some teacher guidance.

think about and respond to their reading.

Conference

Provides opportunity to monitor individual’s progress.

Helps inform teaching for mini-lessons and/or guided reading groups.

Teacher observes reading behaviours and keep records.

Teacher and student set reading goals.

Responding to reading

Reading Journals / Letter writing

Book reviews

•Sticky notes

Sharing

Students share their “thinking”.

Provides an opportunity to evaluate learning.

The Independent Reading Classroom

An extensive library with both fiction and non-fiction.

Individual reading baskets.

An inexhaustible supply of sticky notes.

Acknowledgements and resources

Rae Torres and Lynne McDonald for Independent Reading PD.

Reading with Meaning, Teaching Comprehension in the Primary Grades by Debbie Miller, Stonehouse Publishers

Strategies that Work Harvey and Goudvis

MRPS Writing Process

Writer’s Notebook PD (Deb Sukarna)

Writing Fun Website (Jenny Eather)

Writing Lesson

1. “Author’s” Chat2. Get Ready3. Conferences4. Mini Lesson5. Writing Task6. Guided Group7. Sharing & Reflecting

Writing Steps

PlanDraftReviseEditConferencing Publish

Buddy

Teacher

Plan

•different coloured paper to help you through all the writing steps•complete sentences•spelling lists, dictionaries and your own knowledge about sounding out words•your schema and your imagination to give you ideas in your writing

Which ideas can I improve on?Did I say my ideas in order?How can I write in an interesting way?Who will read my writing?Are my thoughts organised?

Draft

How can I improve my sentences?How can I improve my wording?Are my details/ messages clear?Should I add or take out any parts?Have I used the best ideas ?Is my writing in a sensible order?Am I ready to read it to my buddy?

Revise

Did I listen to my buddy’s suggestions?Do I need to make any other changes?Did I check my use of punctuation and capital letters?Can I find any spelling mistakes?Have I set out my writing correctly?

Edit

Discuss any suggestions with your buddy.Do you need to make any changes:

to your punctuation? to your spelling? to your grammar? to your setting out?

Conferencing

Publish

Advantages

Photos