Effective Classroom Practice: Literacy for All

Educational leaders and teachers from the Department for Education, Catholic Education SA and the Association of Independent Schools of SA are invited to attend the next Literacy Guarantee Conference which will feature a range of leading experts in literacy to support leaders and teachers more effectively meet the needs of all students.

Learning to spell supports the development of writing, reading, speaking and vocabulary knowledge. While the importance of a systematic and explicit approach to teaching spelling is well established, effective implementation can be complex and largely dependent on teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge. Effective implementation of an evidence-based practice can also be influenced by the resources and support made available to teachers.

This keynote draws on extensive research to highlight the essential linguistic skills that students need to learn to become effective spellers and the key features of an effective approach to teaching spelling. Illustrative examples will be used to demonstrate how teachers can use a reliable and valid spelling error analysis technique to design and implement instruction that targets and nurtures the learning needs of their students.

Dr Tessa Daffern is an Education Consultant at Literacy Education Solutions and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Canberra. Her research focusses on teaching spelling and writing and has been recognised through national and international publications and awards including the UKLA Wiley Research in Literacy Education Award (2021) and the Australian Literacy Educators’ Association Doctoral Thesis Award (2017).

Prior to her career in academia and as a consultant, Tessa received a Recognition of Excellence Award by the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Catholic Education Office for her teaching contributions and achievements, and in 2012 Tessa was one of the first Australian educators to become certified as a Highly Accomplished Teacher.

Tessa enjoys providing professional learning to schools across Australia and the UK while also serving as Academic Advisor for the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to support the development of the new English syllabus for the primary school years. Her self-published print and digital resources, including the Components of Spelling Test: Early Years (CoSTEY) and Components of Spelling Test: 3-6 (CoST), have empowered teachers across Australia and the UK to improve learning outcomes in spelling.

Website: www.tessadaffern.com

Email: [email protected]

This presentation aims to introduce you to the Science of Reading. We will do this through exploring:

• what science tells us about how the brain learns,

• connecting the Big 6 and Scarborough’s Reading Rope, and

• how to use the Science of Reading to inform teaching practice with consideration of the Simple View of Reading and cognitive load theory.

Presenters: Jo Culf, Dianne Floreani & Kate Knill

This session will begin by explaining why quality, evidence-based assessments are so important for identifying students at risk of literacy difficulties. We will look at a range of freely available research-based assessments, that target the specific skills needed to become a successful reader. Information gained from these assessments are critical for planning appropriate intervention that meets the needs of the student and gently builds on their existing skills and knowledge.

Presenters: Kerry Williams

Participants will develop a deeper understanding of:

• learning difficulties, with a specific focus on dyslexia

• the characteristics of dyslexia and indicators that may be seen in the classroom

• common myths related to dyslexia and dispel them for latest research findings

• the difficulties associated with dyslexia first-hand through a simulation

Presenter: Kellie Burge & Bec Eli

The highly anticipated DfE R-2 phonics and spelling scope and sequence is now available, along with a range of accompanying resources, at no cost.

During this workshop, we will explore the core elements of effective phonics instruction and you will receive access to a range of free assessment tools and teacher resources.

The workshop will include:

• an instructional routine to explicitly teach systematic synthetic phonics

• a range of free formative assessment and diagnostic tools to inform teaching and planning

• a range of free teaching resources, including:

• card decks
• lesson planning templates
• assessment tools

Presenter: Ashlee deWet-Cowland & Simone Meurant

During this workshop we will examine the elements of reading development that require specific assessments and provide alternatives that align to the Science of Reading. We will explore the research behind moving from the Three Cueing System and Running Records to the Simple View of Reading. We will look at a range of assessments that track and monitor students’ reading progress and that identify students at risk. Participants will gain a working knowledge of the DIBELS assessment tools.

Presenters: Vicki Athanasopoulos & Ginny Pryor

Phonological awareness, phonemic awareness and phonics are terms that are commonly used interchangeably and incorrectly. This introductory workshop will clarify your understanding of the difference and importance of each of these core elements of reading development. During this workshop we will explore:

• Understanding the phonological structure of spoken words

• Assessing student needs to plan for phonological awareness instruction

• Planning for explicit and systematic instruction of phonological awareness skills

** This workshop is designed for educators with a developing understanding of phonological awareness instruction

Presenter: Vanessa Genrich, Sharnie Jamieson & Fiona Sullivan

Participants will develop an understanding of the main components of oral reading fluency. There will be opportunities to gain a deeper knowledge of whole class, practical strategies, for all students that will assist in building their oral reading fluency skills across subject areas.

(Those who have attended the Year 2 ORF trial training would have already been exposed to this content.)

Presenters: Zana Thiele & Kathleen White

Participants will apply learning from Dyslexia 1 to:

• Identify key strategies for students with dyslexia in the mainstream classroom across Reception to Year 10

Note: attendance at Dyslexia 1 is a prerequisite.

Presenter: Kellie Burge & Bec Eli

Spend 90 minutes in a small group working with a Literacy Coach from the Literacy Guarantee Unit. You will use your class data and the planning templates shared during the first workshop to start planning next term’s phonics lessons.

Bring your device to access online planning tools.

Presenters: Ashlee deWet-Cowland & Simone Meurant

Stuck for ideas to support spelling in the primary years? Tired of spelling lists? In this workshop, we will explore practical activities to support quality spelling instruction. These activities can be used with the whole class and differentiated to suit the needs of all learners. We will provide activities to target phonology, orthography, morphology and etymology.

Presenter: Daina Wilson

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Adelaide Oval, War Memorial Drive, North Adelaide, Australia

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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