The Literacy Squad

The second and final part of our interview with Alison Sanza from Brunswick Secondary College. In this episode Annelise and Alison share tips about the resources they use to deliver unit plans to suit individual learning types. They also talk about building student confidence in reading and writing at their own level. It’s easier than you might think. With thanks to Barbara Moss for developing many of the resources referred to in this recording. Email us at podcast@literacyplanet.com.

Improving reading skills leads to improved writing skills. In this episode, Annelise speaks with our special guest Alison Sanza from Brunswick Secondary College about breaking down each of these disciplines to help students relate and engage with their learning. Alison’s insightful examples and tips are invaluable for secondary English teachers. Have you ever thought of Little Miss Muffet as a feminist commentary? Not to be missed! About Alison Sanza: Alison is an Educator from Melbourne, Australia. She has had the good fortune to liaise with and visit schools in Finland, China, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, India and Singapore, to share current Australian pedagogy. She has addressed student groups and groups of Principals in India, presenting information about literacy practices in Victorian schools. More recently, she has delivered a workshop – ‘Engaging students to amplify voice, enable choice and enrich discussion across texts’ - at an AATE (Australian Association for the Teachers of English) Conference. Alison has found her calling in working with the youth of today: to inspire them to read closely for meaning and to feel the exhilaration of engaging with a text in all its complexity. With thanks to Barbara Moss for developing many of the resources referred to in this recording. Email us at podcast@literacyplanet.com.

A lack of confidence can creep into some students’ mindsets when standardised testing becomes challenging or if they feel they’re being assessed all the time. As teachers, we want to build confidence and a sense of achievement for students to reach learning outcomes. The answer is practise. Listen to Annelise and Kylie break down their strategies. More on the strategies mentioned in this episode. Email us at podcast@literacyplanet.com.

If you have students in your classroom who are reading below or above their grade, this episode is for you. Annelise and Kylie review strategies in both secondary and primary classrooms. Our literacy specialists have great tips for engaging all types of readers - from identifying levels, to what, when and why they should read. Links: Renaissance Star ReadingACER Torch Tests for Reading ComprehensionLexile Look Up A BookATOS (Accelerated Reader Book Finder)Running Record Calculator (free online version)Teacher Tools Grader appRunning Record Assistant More on the strategies mentioned in this episode. Email us at podcast@literacyplanet.com.

Previously known as reading rotations, literacy rotations now incorporate more strands of literacy learning and are an important tool in the K-2 classroom. In this episode, Annelise and Kylie share some very practical tips for how to run a successful literacy rotation. Spoiler: planning and set-up are important and you may need a purple sparkly hat! Running Record Calculator (free online version) Teacher Tools Grader app Running Record Assistant More on the strategies mentioned in this episode. Email us at podcast@literacyplanet.com.

Welcome to our very first episode of The Literacy Squad! As teachers and parents, we’re developing comprehension skills every day with our students and children. This episode delves into strategies teachers can use in the classroom that students enjoy and that will build their foundational knowledge. Presented by Annelise Mitchell and Kylie Della Valle. More on the strategies mentioned in this episode. Email us at podcast@literacyplanet.com.