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Part 2: Celebrating Growth in Literacy
Starting a Literacy Journey: Jess Kneebone and Sharon Callen Reflect on Growth in Literacy Teaching Five years ago, a young teacher named Jess Kneebone began her teaching career fresh out of university. It was during her first year at Mount Barker South Primary School in Adelaide that she joined an...
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Part 1: Celebrating Growth in Literacy
Celebrating Teacher Practice Education visionary Garth Boomer emphasised the significance of celebrating learning journeys, for both students and teachers. His 10th learning principle, the Confirming (and Celebrating) Principle, highlights the joy and empowerment learners feel when successfully executing a plan. He wrote: "Once I have understood and acted with effect...
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Part 2: The Essential Classroom Setup in 2025
By Sharon Callen As teachers, we constantly seek ways to improve the learning environment for our students, making literacy engaging and effective. This blog, inspired by my latest podcast episode, brings together ideas to set up your classroom for success in 2025. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting...
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Part 1: The Essential Classroom Setup in 2025
By Sharon Callen As teachers, we understand the importance of setting the tone for a productive, inspiring school year. Creating a literacy-rich environment isn't just about the aesthetics of your classroom—it's about equipping students with the strategies/ tools they need to explore, create, and grow. In this blog, I'll introduce...
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Part 3: The Importance of Teaching Comprehension, F-2
Teaching Comprehension in the Early Years: A Practical Guide for Educators In the foundational years, teaching comprehension is one of the most impactful ways to foster confident, engaged readers. This narrative, inspired by insights from Diane Snowball, offers practical strategies to help teachers cultivate comprehension skills in their classrooms. From...
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Part 2: The Importance of Teaching Comprehension, F-2
The Importance of Teaching Comprehension in Foundation to Year 2: Insights from Diane Snowball Teaching comprehension in the early years lays the foundation for lifelong literacy. Diane Snowball's recent podcast offers a wealth of wisdom on how teachers can seamlessly integrate decoding and comprehension to empower their youngest learners. Let's...
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Part 1: The Importance of Teaching Comprehension, F-2
Teaching Comprehension in the Early Years – A Conversation with Diane Snowball In the world of early literacy, comprehension often takes a back seat to the foundational skills of phonics and decoding. However, as literacy expert Diane Snowball passionately argues, comprehension is the heart and soul of reading. Without understanding,...
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Part 3: A New Assessment Tool for Teachers
Unlocking Literacy with Purpose: A New Assessment Tool for Teachers In the world of teaching literacy, we're always striving to support each student's growth in reading and writing. But how do we track and encourage this development in a way that's meaningful, manageable, and aligned with curriculum goals? Enter a...
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Part 2: A New Assessment Tool for Teachers
Part 2: A New Assessment Tool for Teachers – Enhancing Literacy Through Observation and Strategy In this episode, Sharon dives into a new, actionable assessment tool that helps teachers pinpoint where students are thriving in literacy and where they may need more support. Called the 'Listening to Reading, Watching Whilst...
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Part 1: A New Assessment Tool for Teachers
Part 1: A New Assessment Tool for Teachers – Listening to Reading, Watching While Writing Protocol In the ever-evolving landscape of education, assessment tools that effectively capture the nuances of student learning are invaluable. One such tool, recently developed by Nell Duke and her team (Ward and Klingelhofer), is the...
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Part 3: Blessing the Book with Sharon Callen
Blessing the Book: Nurturing Readers through Stories In part three of the podcast series, Sharon Callen invites teachers to explore the magic of children's literature, emphasising the idea of "blessing the book." This concept goes beyond simply reading aloud; it is about honouring the story, respecting the author's craft, and...
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Part 4: Blessing the Book with Sharon Callen
Blessing the Book: Exploring Picture Books with Sharon Callen – Part 4 Picture books hold a special place in a child's life, offering them a chance to explore the world, their emotions, and the complexities of life through art and words. In the fourth part of her podcast series, Sharon...
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Part 2: Blessing the Book with Sharon Callen
Blessing the Book: A Framework for Building Student Engagement In this blog, we delve into how teachers can foster reading engagement in the classroom. Drawing from research by experts like Linda Gambrell and strategies shared by Sharon Callen, this framework emphasises the importance of actively teaching engagement alongside reading skills....
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Part 1: Blessing the Book with Sharon Callen
Motivating Young Readers: Unlocking the Joy and Purpose of Reading One of the most common challenges teachers face is ensuring that students not only read but also understand and enjoy what they are reading. Many children can decode words and pass reading tests, but are they truly engaging with the...
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Part 2: Student Agency with Lisa Burman
Cultivating Student Agency in the Classroom: A Journey from Control to Empowerment In a recent podcast conversation with Lisa Burman, a passionate educator and advocate for student agency, several insightful themes were explored that shine a light on the power of agency in both students and teachers. Lisa discusses how...
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Part 1: Student Agency with Lisa Burman
In the ever-evolving field of education, the role of both teachers and students has come under increasing scrutiny. How do we, as educators, best foster environments where children take charge of their learning? Lisa Burman, a respected literacy consultant and author, offers deep insights into the topic of student agency....
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Part 2: Teachers Celebrating Their Students’ Writing
Celebrating Student Writing: A Guide for Teachers In the world of education, few moments are as rewarding as witnessing the growth of young writers. By fostering a classroom environment that celebrates students' writing in Foundation, teachers can ignite a lifelong love for reading and writing. This guide delves into effective...
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Part 1: Teachers Celebrating Their Students' Writing
Celebrating Student Writing: Fostering a Community of Young Authors at Mount Barker South Primary School In an inspiring conversation, Tamara Biddle, a Foundation year teacher, and Hayley Allen, a student support officer (SSO) from Mount Barker South Primary School, shared their journey of nurturing a vibrant writing culture in their...
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Part 3: Making Education Explicit and Possible: Insights from Garth Boomer's Closing Address
Garth Boomer's address begins with a sobering reflection on the world we live in, drawing attention to the socio-political struggles and global challenges that teachers must navigate daily. He emphasises the importance of acknowledging these difficulties rather than being carried away by the temporary excitement of educational conferences. For educators,...
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Part 2: Understanding Garth Boomer's Influence on Modern Education
Garth Boomer, a legendary figure in the world of education, continues to inspire educators with his forward-thinking approach to teaching and learning. His ideas, shaped by a blend of intellectual rigor, practical experience, and a deep understanding of students, offer valuable insights for teachers today. This blog explores key aspects...
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Part 1: Garth Boomer - A Visionary in Education
Garth Boomer was a transformative figure in Australian education, leaving a lasting legacy in curriculum development and pedagogy. His journey began in Mount Barker, South Australia, where he distinguished himself academically and athletically. With a BA Honours from the University of Adelaide and a Diploma of Teaching, Boomer started his...
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Part 4: Teaching Reading in the First Year of School
In the fourth part of our podcast series 'Teaching Reading in the First Year of School', we delve into the complexities of teaching reading in the first year of school. This discussion aims to debunk the simplistic media narrative that categorises teachers into two groups: those who teach phonics explicitly...
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Part 3: Teaching Reading in the First Year of School: A Comprehensive Approach
Understanding how to teach reading effectively in the first year of school is crucial for educators. This narrative, based on insights from experienced educators Di and Phil, explores the multi-faceted approach needed to develop young readers' skills comprehensively. Balancing Phonemic Awareness and Comprehension In many schools, there is an overemphasis...
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Part 2: Teaching Reading in the First Year of School: Developing Deep Language Skills
The Importance of Reading Aloud in Early Education In the journey of teaching children to read, especially in their first year of school, the role of reading aloud cannot be overstated. Expert literacy educator Diane Snowball emphasises that developing a robust vocabulary and a strong understanding of grammar and language...
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Part 1: Teaching Reading in the First Year of School: A Comprehensive Guide for Teachers
Introduction: The Importance of a Comprehensive Curriculum In the first year of school, teaching reading is a foundational task that requires a well-rounded and thorough approach. Diane Snowball, a literacy expert, outlines a comprehensive curriculum that addresses various aspects of reading education. This curriculum includes concepts of print, phonological awareness,...
