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Professional Development
Professional development (PD) may be done individually, with a partner, small group or larger group. It works best when there is interaction to problem solve, and to share and generate ideas. This way it also provides a means for school communities to develop shared beliefs and understandings.
This section will help you find your way around and make the most of the MyRead website.
PD TipIf you are presenting this PD or if a group of teachers is working together through this section, allow at least 2 hours. If teachers are unfamiliar with the website, it’s useful to let them browse for 10 minutes before you start. |
1. Introduction
In developing this resource we wanted to present some of the issues around underperformance, reading and the middle years which are crucial to improving reading outcomes for students.
These issues have been incorporated into the website either through the navigation bar or within the framework of the Guides themselves.
There are 16 strategies or ‘Guides’ in the MyRead resource. The term ‘Guides’ is used to reflect the richness of each strategy.
For the research base of the website go to Further Readings.
Share findings with a partner/other participants.
PD TipMany of these readings may be downloaded from the MyRead website or are linked to other websites. Selected readings can be downloaded to read before the PD session or skim read during the session. There won’t be time to read them in detail during the session but the work of some of the authors may be familiar. |
2. What successful readers know and do
Many middle years teachers are uncertain about what is important in teaching reading. However by thinking about some of the issues raised in the following activity they will see that they already have a lot of expertise.
Download Teaching Reading. [Microsoft Word: 21KB]
After ranking and discussing the five factors, go to What and read/discuss in pairs. Link some of the points you discussed when completing the worksheet to the Four Roles/Resources Model.
3. Underperforming readers: Who are they?
- Read Who.
Either
- Read one/two vignettes.
- Individually or in pairs write a (non-deficit) vignette for one of your students using the same headings.
- Make general suggestions for possible approaches for that student’s learning. When you become familiar with the guides you could suggest specific strategies.
Or
- Select a vignette which reminds you of one of your students. What would you add for your student?
PD TipWriting vignettes for one or two underperforming students in your class will help you to focus on the needs as well as the resources the students bring to the class. |
4. Guide Template
All Guides are written using a template that incorporates some of the complex issues of underperforming middle years readers.
Once you understand the template each Guide will be more accessible.
To explore this template:
- check headings
- refer to annotations in text boxes
- explore the web links to see how each Guide links to the generic section of the website, eg Classroom Organisation
- use the Back button on your tool bar to return to the template.
You'll find the template here.
5. Explore a Guide
There is a wide range of Guides – some are very short, others are a term’s work.
Go to How, choose a Guide and explore. Discuss with a partner or another pair.
| PD Tip
Through a jigsaw teachers will be able to learn about a number of guides in a short time. |
6. Other crucial issues
There are two other crucial issues in the teaching of reading, especially with underperforming students.
Check authors to find out more about them.
Working in pairs, select a reading each, skim read for 5-10 minutes and then discuss.
7. Beliefs
Check Beliefs.
These beliefs about underperforming, middle years readers have informed the development of this resource.
| PD Tip
The beliefs are stated on the home page to encourage teachers who are using the MyRead resource independently to read some theory before accessing the Guides. |