Literacy Professional Development

Great to look closely at the writing progressions in detail and see how to analyse best fit for a student's piece of writing. Using the National Standards first then fine tuning with the LLPs was very useful. A grid showing the writing progressions will be great for students to assess their progress and to report to parents. Jill led us through the session very clearly.

Bernie shared the framework for up and coming PD which really clarified where we are heading next.Really looking forward to working in teams with Jill to look at data and writing groups. The reading on 'Sharing Learning Intentions' was very clear and raised great discussion about sharing learning intentions with specific groups and how we will know we have achieved. It's all becoming so much clearer.

Improving Writing

The example of modelling, prompting and providing feedback is very powerful in 'Effective Literacy Practice'(pages 56 and 88). Being able to conference students individually in such depth is always the best option but doesn't always work out in a busy classroom. Setting specific criteria for a piece of writing is absolutely necessary and I really like the idea of the students checking through the criteria themselves to see if they have covered each of the criteria in their writing. This is an area I will develop where I will not only model the genre of writing but co-construct criteria with the students. I am also going to try student peer and group marking by using a student's piece of current writing and providing feedback in a group situation where the students check through the criteria with me.

PD- Jill Ritchie 8 March

It was a very refreshing session. Great to be able to decide on beliefs about writing. The reading given out was also very worthwhile. Good to try some writing ourselves. It makes you realise how difficult it can be with the tasks we ask students to do. I am thinking alot about what effective writing looks like and want to co-construct some criteria with my class. Really liked the list Jill showed us. Unfortunately didn't have time to copy it down.

Really pleased we are spending time going through "Effective Literacy Practice." I also found the data Bernie shared back with us after taking the staff survey very interesting.

PD 2 Feb

Great to see our lists matched Murray Gadd's reading. A good way to start our writing programme for the year. I'm going to timetable in a slot for personal writing each week and develop peer assessment rubric.