Hayley Robinson & Hayley Darrington Prep/1 teacher (2014, 2015) Prep/1 teacher (2014), 5/6 teacher (2015)

Reflections about your teaching practice In 2014 we focused on The Four Elements – specifically: - 1. Phonemic and Phonological Awareness - 2. Vocabulary Development - 4. Developing and using more complex sentences. We implemented these three areas mainly through our daily CAFÉ reading program. We also focused on these areas during Circle Time, writing, spelling and inquiry learning. After reflecting on our audio recordings we changed our practice by encouraging more student talk and peer-talk and less teacher-talk. As teachers and leaders, what have you been doing differently in your classrooms and schools since attending CPOL? How did you plan for this?

At Karingal Heights our Literacy Program is focused around CAFÉ Reading. CAFÉ reading stands for: C – Comprehension “I understand what I read.” A – Accuracy “I can read the words correctly.” F – Fluency “I can read accurately, with expression and understand what I read.” E – Expand Vocabulary “I know, find and use interesting words.” Four days a week we explicitly teach one reading strategy from each of the above areas using a chosen Big Book for the week. We begin with a 15 minute mini-lesson to model the strategy using a Big Book. i.e. Retell the story; Using interesting words in speaking and writing; Stretch and blends sounds in words etc. Students then spend 5-10 minutes ‘turning and talking’ discussing their ideas about the book and strategy before sharing with the class and engaging in a group or individual activity.

Week # Comprehension *CPOL Focus #3 Accuracy *CPOL Focus #2 Fluency *CPOL Focus #3 Expanding Vocab *CPOL Focus #1 Text 1Check for understanding Stretching or blending sounds in words Know many words by heart Using interesting words in speaking and writing Rumble in the Jungle 2Check for understanding Stretching or blending sounds in words Know many words by heart Using interesting words in speaking and writing Henny Penny 3Check for understanding Stretching or blending sounds in words Know many words by heart Using interesting words in speaking and writing The Little Red Hen 4Connect to the story Flip the sound (short/long vowel sounds) Using punctuation to enhance phrasing Using interesting words in speaking and writing Funny Bones (Start Healthy Eating Unit) 5Connect to the story Flip the sound (short/long vowel sounds) Using punctuation to enhance phrasing Using interesting words in speaking and writing Caps for Sale 6 Retell the story Chunk letters and sounds Using punctuation to enhance phrasing Using interesting words in speaking and writing The Rainbow Fish 7Retell the storyChunk letters and sounds Using punctuation to enhance phrasing Using interesting words in speaking and writing Two Little Monkeys 8Make inferences Skip the word and then come back to it Practice and read again (read smoothly, expression and pacing also) Using interesting words in speaking and writing A Pet for Mrs Arbuckle 9Make inferences Skip the word and then come back to it Practice and read again (read smoothly, expression and pacing also) Using interesting words in speaking and writing Twas the Night Before Xmas 10Make inferences Skip the word and then come back to it Practice and read again (read smoothly, expression and pacing also) Using interesting words in speaking and writing The Polar Express 11Revision Prep

Week # Comprehension *CPOL Focus #3 Accuracy *CPOL Focus #2 Fluency *CPOL Focus #3 Expanding Vocab *CPOL Focus #1 Text 1Check for understanding - whoUse the picturesKnow many words by heartListening for interesting wordsRumble in the Jungle 2Check for understanding - whoUse the picturesKnow many words by heartListening for interesting wordsHenny Penny 3 Check for understanding – who and what Use the picturesKnow many words by heartListening for interesting wordsThe Little Red Hen 4 Check for understanding – who and what Know letters and sounds Using punctuation to enhance phrasing Listening for interesting words Funny Bones (Start Healthy Eating Unit) 5Connect to the storyKnow letters and sounds Using punctuation to enhance phrasing Listening for interesting wordsCaps for Sale 6Connect to the storyPlaying with rhyming words Using punctuation to enhance phrasing Listening for interesting wordsThe Rainbow Fish 7Connect to the story Stretching or blending sounds in words (Do this instead of rhyming for this book) Using punctuation to enhance phrasing Question Marks Listening for interesting wordsTwo Little Monkeys 8Retell the story Playing with rhyming words (Do this instead of stretching and blending for this book) Reads smoothlyListening for interesting wordsA Pet for Mrs Arbuckle 9Retell the storyStretching or blending sounds in wordsReads smoothlyListening for interesting wordsTwas the Night Before Xmas 10Retell the storyStretching or blending sounds in wordsReads smoothlyListening for interesting wordsThe Polar Express 11Revision Grade 1

CPOL Language Element Focus #1: Vocabulary Development CAFÉ Focus: Expanding Vocabulary Implemented: Word focus: Synonyms, antonyms, acting out words, adjectives, verbs, Word of the week, word webs. CPOL Language Element Focus #3: Speaking in full sentences CAFÉ Focus: Comprehension Implemented: Turn and talk before, during and after reading big book, use of who, what, where, when cards from colourful semantics. CPOL Language Element Focus #2: Phonemic and phonological awareness CAFÉ Focus: Accuracy Implemented: Word focus: rhyming, stretching and blending, chunking, syllabification, know letters and sounds.

We identified a high number of students with oral language needs. We did this through observations and assessments such as: Reflections about our students: English Online Interview Data (February) ICPALER Oral Language Screening Profile Letter and Sound assessments Running Records Observations during class discussions and social interaction between students.

Our students Our Observations Overall we observed greater confidence in our students through implementation of oral language focuses we have discussed such as: Colourful Semantics – vocabulary/word walls – Turn and Talk – Word of the Week – role plays. Unexpected Results We were surprised by the increase in students confidence and participation during class discussions We saw unexpected improvements in students reading and writing abilities Children responded with enthusiasm and confidence to Colourful Semantics, Word of the Week activities and role plays.

Providing more opportunities for student-talk and class discussion across all areas of the curriculum. Using strategies such as “clock buddies” to facilitate Turn and Talk and peer discussions. Planning for 2015: