The Writing Network Connect #6
A key goal of the Think Forward Writing Network is to open a conversation about writing in the classroom, using research, trialled techniques, assessment and data collection. Catch up on our third Network Connect Session! All welcome. Let’s share expertise, discuss best practice, learn from each other!
Dr Nathaniel Swain and Shane Pearson - From the big five to a coherent curriculum
At Brandon Park Primary School, we are building upon our low variance spelling and word reading curriculum, to make direct connections between spelling, reading, and writing instruction within English lessons and in every learning area. In this session we will describe how we are ensuring that in every subject, children are supported to read, write and discuss high-level academic concepts and ideas, and put their hard-won literacy skills to good use. This practical and research-informed presentation will detail how we have sought to make explicit and direct connections between what students are learning in English, and the vast knowledge bases in the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities. By using a knowledge-rich, coherent and cohesive curriculum map, and the thought-enriching techniques from the Writing Revolution, we are supporting our students to become informed, insightful, critical and independent readers, writers, and learners. Come hear how you could do the same!
What it takes to shift practice - Montello Primary School's Journey towards structured literacy
As a small, regional primary school with a vulnerable student population, the leadership of Montello Primary School knew that changes were needed to support their students to become proficient readers. Over the course of a year, the school has trained staff and implemented a structured literacy approach in their early years classrooms. This hasn't come without challenges, but Dion McCall (Principal) and Ruby Moore (Quality Teaching Coach) are ready to share preliminary data, experiences and wisdom with other schools thinking of embarking on a similar journey. In this session, Jocelyn Seamer will facilitate a conversation with Dion and Ruby about their methodology, motivations and future plans for structured literacy in their school.
Principals’ Forum - Riverwood Public School - Anne Davis
Open to all Principals and Assistant/Deputy Principals. Riverwood Public school is a small school located in a low socio-economic community in south-western Sydney. A focus on evidence-based wellbeing and learning practices has underpinned the school’s improvement work. We are committed to Explicit Direct Instruction as a key pedagogical approach and our literacy practices are aligned with the research from the science of reading. The school’s wellbeing framework articulates a twin focus on staff and student wellbeing.
Shane Pearson - Introducing PhOrMeS: A Free Foundation-Year 6 Word Reading & Spelling Curriculum
Standing for Phonology, Orthography, Morphology, Etymology and Semantics, PhOrMeS aims to equip teachers and schools with a ready-to-teach, comprehensive, whole-class curriculum which covers the skills outlined above. In this webinar, you will hear from the lead author, Shane Pearson. You will learn about the components of the PhOrMeS Word Reading & Spelling Curriculum and how they progress from Foundation to Year 6, learn how PhOrMeS uses the SoR and SoL to teach decoding and spelling, and see examples of slides and instructional sequences and much much more.