RPI - Day 2 - Know your Learners as Readers

Another great session today with RPI, with time to reflect on what we know about our students already and how we can use that information to accelerate progress.

A large part of this day was focused around assessment both formative and summative and how that as teachers we are always looking for ways to have the most positive effect on our students. 

With this is mind the idea that Assessment is a collaborative endevour between both teacher and student and needs to drive our learners to be on-board with asessment so they can actively particpate in the assessment tasks.  Early this week we had completed our PAT tests with one student in particular not doing as well as I had expected for exactly this reason - So this idea (not new but timely reminder) was good.

Another key focus area today has been based around Learning Intentions and Success Criteria.  Again not new infromation but was good to look at it again from a New Curriclum point of view and relates specifically to our school and cluster goal this year 'being the year of the learner'.
GOAL: For all our learners to understand what progress in reading looks like and to recognise the progress they are making.

A highlight for me...

was looking at the NZCER assist data (PAT results) as this has been a new process for me this year and being the 'geek' that I am delving deeper into this data, and even finding my way around this site has been useful.

Next steps...

I am also looking forward to re-designing my reading planning so it is more student friendly, which is always a big push for me.  This makes it easy for our students to navigate their learning but also provides both structure and support that is required to make the shifts in learning that we all want.  

My challenge will be ensuring that supports are in place to enable students to to work independently on their learning.  While for some of the learners this will be instinct, for some this will be a real struggle.

I also have a cluster of students who have really brought into the idea of 'increasing the number of students in our class that are reading for enjoyment' so finding time to support our collective motivation and focus in this is key as well.  Needing to timetable opportunties for students to work towards this shared classroom goal will both add buy-in from others as well as keep the momentum going for this goal.