Reader Profile Survey Results

Having given my Year 7 and 8 class the Reader Profile Survey, I was fairly taken aback by the results. Taken back, but not necessarily overly surprised. 

The graph below shows that over half of my class were not reading a book for enjoyment. While they were having time to read in class, and were doing novel studies at that time (the novel was selected by the student from a range of novels), still only 44% claimed to be reading a book for enjoyment. 

After looking at the inquiry written up in a blog by NZ teacher **, this is the one piece of data I am aiming to change initially. Since this survey was completed we have introduced RFE daily and had classroom discussions around that and the data below. We are taking more time in the school library to find 'that' book that will draw them in and make them want to look forward to RFE. 

Astoundingly, just over half of the class didn't think that reading books in their own time could help them in any way. (14/27) Unfortunately, but understandably, this pretty well reflects those in the classroom who surpass expectations for reading and those who struggle. 

In many of the graphs from the Reader Profile Survey, numbers tied in reasonably consistently across the questions. The students who scored lower on the survey questions (1s and 2s) tended to score lower to all questions, while those who generally scored higher (3s and 4s) consistently scored higher, and probably enjoy a lot more success in reading. 

So, as a result of the reading survey I have set myself some goals to achieve. Mainly, to improve the data on the Reader Profile Survey when it is undertaken by my class next, and secondly, to find the drawcard for that group (predominately boys) so they can see reading in a positive, and beneficial way. 

 

Reading Practice Intensive: Day 2:Getting to know your learner.

The intensive upped the intensity today! I have had a great day of learning..but the pressure has been on. I definitely need to go back and continue working on a few of the tasks so I can get them completed.

The key takeaways for me today have been:

1. As part of Kiri speaking to us about pedagogy and Kaupapa, she shared with us Korero Point England, which in my head immediately became Korero Paroa. Such a simple but ingenious idea. During the last session we were directed to a blog where the teacher inquiry was focussed on the enjoyment of reading. I was already thinking about how I was going to approach this in my Year 7 and 8 class, and hearing about Korero Point England has added another tool to the toolbox.

2. The Teacher's Workbook. Thank you for sharing this excellent resource with us, but also for showing us how to best use it. I am actually looking forward to getting it up-to-date, and having everything in one place. Brilliant.

3. Using the NZCER site to analyse PAT tests. While I have been in and out of this side of the PAT results mainly out of interest, I have never formally taken next steps from them. In my head I have, but I have never tracked them. 

A very useful session today. Thanks ladies.

Reading Practice Intensive : Day 1; Reading is core to learning

What a fabulous start to the Reading Practice Intensive. It is absolutely called an Intensive for a reason. 

Today has been really interesting from start to finish. Listening to Dorothy, always a pleasure, talk about how Manaiakalani started out was a walk down memory lane - showing my age :) What I don't think I had realised was that it was literacy that the team first foccussed on.

I also realised today, is that maybe I know more than I give myself credit for. While I have learnt a number of things today, and a few triggers have made me have a decent think,  I have also already seen, used, and had an understanding of many of the concepts covered and resources mentioned. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed the reading, and will endeavour to go back and read the rest. I really enjoy seeing examples of other teachers planning/ class sites/ resources. 

In terms of what I can take back to my class, a lot. There were many great resources here that could be used as they are, or tweaked with ease. Often, I find I have the ideas but it takes me a loooonggg time to create from scratch. Having access to resources like I have seen today is a huge bonus.

Part of completing this reading training, is that I will be feeding back to my senior team of teachers. So I think my next job is to go back, sift through, and pass on what I can. Starting with the pedagogy, letting them know we are on the right track.

I am looking forward to the next session, and what is to come. Thanks ladies.

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of the kaupapa and pedagogy of the Manaiakalani Reading Programme ?

• What did I learn that could improve my capability and confidence in teaching reading?

• What did I learn that could be used with my learners? 

• What did I learn that could be shared within my wider community, with either colleagues, or whānau/aiga?

• WhatWHAwHAT A FABULOUSWhat did I learn that increased my understanding of the kaupapa and pedagogy of the Manaiakalani Reading Programme ?

• What did I learn that could improve my capability and confidence in teaching reading?

• What did I learn that could be used with my learners? 

• What did I learn that could be shared within my wider community, with either colleagues, or whānau/aiga?

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of the kaupapa and pedagogy of the Manaiakalani Reading Programme ?

• What did I learn that could improve my capability and confidence in teaching reading?

• What did I learn that could be used with my learners? 

• What did I learn that could be shared within my wider community, with either colleagues, or whānau/aiga?

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of the kaupapa and pedagogy of the Manaiakalani Reading Programme ?

• What did I learn that could improve my capability and confidence in teaching reading?

• What did I learn that could be used with my learners? 

• What did I learn that could be shared within my wider community, with either colleagues, or whānau/aiga?

DFI - Day 9. That's a wrap!

Well...after 9 weeks of DFI, we are done and dusted. Over the term I have learnt many valuable skills and gained plenty of knowledge from those of you in the know. Much of this will be if it hasn't already been, taken directly into the classroom. Undoubtedly I am more competent and more aware of the tools available to me, and my students.

Having been given the time that we have had, based at home, and during class time has been invaluable. I appreciated that the agenda was shared two days before so I was able to get my head around what was coming up. I enjoyed how sessions are organised with regular breaks and the different types of learning (chalk and talks, deep dives, bubble groups, create, share, etc).  I appreciated how the bubble groups remained the same so we got to know each other and felt comfortable asking questions. This all added to a productive and comfortable learning environment.

Having started out on a DFI journey face to face pre-COVID, I was more than anxious wondering how I would get on doing it online with no support around me. However, I learnt very quickly that this process was going to work just fine. A supportive bubble group as well as all the facilitators that I encountered have made this recipe work for DFI online. 

While I didn't complete the external recognition by choice (with the support of the school), I can honestly say this would be the best professional development I have been part of in my nearly 30 years of teaching. So to everyone involved - thank you.

Computational Thinking - DFI Day 8

Today we learned more about the Maniakalani kaupapa of empowered.  The kaupapa of empowerment is about the advancing of Rangatiratangi - Taking back control of their lives (direct quote). Again an interesting chat.

As far as improving my workflow/confidence as a professional, I guess being introduced to coding as I was today, allows me to understand the concepts my students are learning, when they attend weekly sessions at the high school for technology - which includes Digitech. Their major focus in these classes seems to be on coding.

With my learners, I will be experimenting with many of the sites that were introduced to us today for coding. I also had a chance to dig around in Khan Academy, which is a resource I used to use a lot with my extension classes a few years back. I will definitely also be using Gamefroot when it comes to creating their mihi, using Mihi Maker. While I seemed to have some issues with that today, I am hoping I will figure these out, and then share the site with my class. My intention is to revisit this so the game is a success, and share it on here over the long weekend.

Overall, I learnt a lot today, however I will need to go back and try a few coding sites out, so I can feel competent when working with my class.

DFI - Day 7. Devices.

 Today we started off talking about how far we had come since lockdown, what we were proud of, what we regretted, and what have we brought into our teaching since. I have to say I am most proud of the fact I even taught from home. I really didn't have much clue prior to lockdown. I had many patient and wise colleagues. I'm not willing to call it a regret, but I would do things differently. Less is more type thing. Using my class site more has definitely come out as a positive from lockdown, but of course there is a long way to go on that front.  

From a professional point of view, learning to use Hapara Workspace was my highlight. Having the opportunity to explore these different tools is an absolute positive on DFI. While I had to become familiar with Screen Castify during lockdown last year, and Explain Everything isn't a tool I would use, Hapara Workspace definitely has untapped potential for me.

So what would I take out from today that I will use with my learners? Hapara workspace, the blogging tips were really useful - and something I want to focus on this week. Phil's timing of his hot tips was very fortunate for me regarding adding the blogs down the side - as I had just heard from my Tuhi Mai Tuhi Atu paired teacher, who discovered she couldn't see my student blogs. I did last night put them on the class site, but not onto the class blog. The class blog really needs my attention this week.

 DFI - Devices

Today I got to experiment with Explain Everything. We were set a simple task...write our name in different colours, insert a picture, draw an iPad, make a recording summing up our experience, and download/share it. Here is my first attempt at using Explain Everything.

Sharon's Explain Everything