Effective Early Years Literacy Teaching Practices Margaret Sankey, Manager Andrea Barker, Project Officer Programs &am

1. Effective Early Years Literacy Teaching Practices Margaret Sankey, Manager Andrea Barker, Project Officer Programs & Resources B-8 Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

2. Aims of this session • To consider the basis of evidence underpinning early years literacy practice • To consider strategies that reflect this evidence • To strengthen our leadership of quality early years literacy improvements • To share our ideas about early years literacy practice Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

3. Outline • Common messages from the evidence • Literacy Secretariat platform – implications for early years literacy • Sharing of strategies for strengthening teaching implications • Where to next? Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

4. Reading and writing floats on a sea of talk D.Hornsby Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

5. Literacy Definitions Literacy is the capacity, confidence and disposition to use language in all its forms. Literacy incorporates a range of modes of communication including music, movement, dance, story telling, visual arts, media and drama, as well as talking, listening,viewing, reading and writing. Early Years Learning Framework 2009 Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

6. Literacy Definitions Literacy refers to reading, writing, speaking, viewing and listening effectively in a range of contexts. In the 21st century, the definition of literacy has expanded to refer to a flexible, sustainable command of a set of capabilities in the use and production of traditional texts and new communications technologies, using spoken language, print and multimedia. Australian Curriculum English Consultation Draft 2010 Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

7. Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

8. Quality Literacy Teaching It is the responsibility of all educators to ensure that learners have the language and literacy skills needed for success across the curriculum and beyond. To the meet the needs of all learners effective literacy teaching is • Planned to match literacy understandings and skills and that support literacy engagement and achievement of learners • Differentiated • Explicit • Intentional • Balanced and integrated • Consistent with whole site literacy agreements and planning. Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

9. The National Inquiry into the Teaching ofLiteracy (DEST 2005) Recommends: that educators provide systematic, direct and explicit phonics instruction so that children master the essential alphabetic code-breaking skills equally, that educators provide an integrated approach to reading that supports the development of oral language, vocabulary, grammar, reading fluency, comprehension and the literacies of new technologies. Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

10. The National Inquiry into the Teaching ofLiteracy (DEST 2005) • Teaching is informed by evidence-based research • We must have a clear understanding of why, how, what and when to use particular strategies. Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

11. Evidence underpinning early years literacy • The significant role of communication in early literacy development • Literacy and well being are interrelated • Literacy is a socio – cultural practice • There are multiple literacies and literacy is multifaceted • Literacy is across the curriculum • Skills such as code breaking (phonological awareness, alphabetic knowledge, concepts about print and rapid automatic naming) are critical but need to be placed in meaningful contexts. Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

12. Evidence underpinning early years literacy • The Big Six (Konza) • Linguistic Knowledge • Phonological awareness • Letter sound Knowledge • Vocabulary • Fluency • Comprehension Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

13. Challenges & Opportunities • In current times what are the challenges & opportunities facing literacy teachers in their everyday work ? Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

14. Practice • Holistic approaches • Responsive to children • Learning through play • Intentional teaching • Learning environments • Cultural competence • Continuity of learning and transition • Assessment for learning Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

15. Effective teaching and learning for young children- Early Years Literacy Program DECS 2006 • Relationships between values, beliefs, theory and practice • Our beliefs about literacy learning influence what and how we teach Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

16. Effective teaching and learning for young childrenEarly Years Literacy Program DECS 2006 • Knowledge of children • Knowing each child is essential for planning effective teaching and learning experiences Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

17. Effective teaching and learning for young childrenEarly Years Literacy Program DECS 2006 • An engaging and active learning environment • Effective learning is optimised through a comprehensive and contextual program that promotes engagement Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

18. What does a quality early literacy teaching program look like ? • Language rich • Meaningful topics of study • Negotiated with child and teacher knowledge • Teachers create active learning environments • A strong language and literacy program Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

19. Balanced literacy • Talking together • Reading aloud daily and frequently • Shared reading • Individual reading • Modeled writing • Shared writing • Individual writing Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

20. Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business

21. Literacy SecretariatLiteracy is everyone’s business