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Read all about it!

Words: Mr Anthony Tasca, Prep Coordinator

At the beginning of 2012 a group of Junior School teachers met to discuss how best to revitalise the Prep literacy program.

We were fortunate to have a number of staff willing to participate in the innovative program as well as good literacy resources. However, it was only through professional conversations that the Prep Guided Reading Program was created. Central to the program was the opportunity for each Prep boy to engage in reading, and to think deeply about and comprehend a text matched to his level of ability.

This program involved eight or nine teachers guiding each group of boys. The groups were fluid and boys moved in and out of various groups as their skills improved. Relationships were developed between the boys and their teachers, which ensured each boy was having his individual learning needs met in a challenging environment.

Ongoing assessment was also an important part of the program and kept teachers informed not only of the boys’ progress, but also of their changing needs. For some boys this may have meant further consolidation and support, and for others it meant discussing a text by answering a series of higher order questions.

The results of the program were very pleasing, especially considering the Early Years Literacy Program’s benchmarks where a Prep student needs to reach Level 5, a Year 1 student Level 15 and a Year 2 student Level 25. Here are the results of our program at the end of the 2012 School year:

Level 5 to 10: five boys

Level 10 to 15: 10 boys

Level 15 to 20: eight boys

Level 20 to 25: nine boys

Level 25+: 16 boys

This year the Guided Reading Program continues, albeit with consideration of the specific needs of this year’s cohort. The professional conversation between the teachers involved continues.

Updated: Monday 24 June 2013