Todays session was base around Reading is Core.
There was lots of sharing and reflecting on what a good reader looks like which lead nicely into the 5 pillars of reading and how this can support us as teachers to create an effective reading programme. It was re-affirming actually that many of the things I use to do at this Year 4-8 level are still the basis for effective reading programmes and ways to effectively accelerate literacy learning in our tamariki.
One of the interesting points that was brought up was that reading itself leads not only to better educational and job opportunities for our tamariki, but it also supports their mental and physical well bring and that the effects of being a reader (regardless of reading ability) is likely to have many other knock on effects to an individuals development.
For me it was about seeing the links between what I had already put into practice this year as well as seeing the relevance of what I had implemented in previous classrooms to still support the structured literacy drive with the new phases 2 curriculum.
I will be interested to see the results of the students reading survey as it links well to a tracking sheet I have already started, related to individuals use of the library use at our school, but also support the discussion on why this as a resource is so important. WE LOVE OUR LIBRARY AND OUR LIBRARIAN! It is such a great space to be.
I also have been trying to get my head around the new structure of our reading program (which has a large whole class focus) which for me hasn't sat well and I have been working out ways to tweek this to reflect the 30-31 amazing learners and their specific needs. I also like the idea of the 'taskboards' (AKA - Presentations) which are similar to junior versions I have used previously.
