Practice: Early literacy in the classroom

HomeLiteracy (primary level)Practice: Early literacy in the classroom
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School
Thought leadership
Early childhood

Practice: Early literacy in the classroom

HomeLiteracy (primary level)Practice: Early literacy in the classroom

About this resource

This resource was developed in partnership with Tātai Angitu at Massey University, led by Dr Christine Braid. It provides examples of how the principles of effective literacy instruction in early primary school can be enacted in the classroom. It is not a programme of literacy instruction, nor does it provide a recipe to simply follow. Rather, it demonstrates the range of instructional activities and approaches that make up high-quality literacy instruction and the different ways that these can be employed in New Zealand primary schools.

We have organised the information into five sections, each of which contains a combination of written explanation and videos of practice, or interviews with teachers. There also are links to additional resources in some sections.

We are hugely grateful to the teachers and school leaders for their openness to sharing their practice and ongoing learning. It was their willingness to share their journeys and classrooms that have made this work possible.

Resources

SECTION 1: Learning to read and write

A brief overview of the theories of learning to read and write

SECTION 2: Assessment and monitoring

How to approach the formal and informal assessment of early literacy knowledge and skills

SECTION 3: Creating an early literacy programme in your school

The components that should make up early literacy instruction and how to design annual, weekly, and daily programmes

SECTION 4: Whole class instruction

The knowledge and skills that can be built during whole class lessons and the activities that support their development

SECTION 5: Small group instruction

How to structure small group teaching to ensure that all students receive explicit, systematic instruction matched to their specific learning needs

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