These stories provide examples of ideas and approaches some schools are using in their literacy programmes.
Kidspeaking the literacy progressions
When teacher Natasha Jacobs wanted her students to be actively involved in assessment, she set out to simplify the The Literacy Learning Progressions "terms of criteria".
Pedagogical leadership in literacy
Sumithra Naidoo describes how she has grown in confidence in her role as a literacy leader. She says that this has been assisted by the external studies she has undertaken. She works closely with beginning teachers and those new to Finlayson Park School.
Meeting halfway
Vicki Hiini of Fairhaven School decided that the best way to engage parents in one of our most translatable and effective literacy programmes – Reading Together – was to take it to a setting where the whānau felt comfortable.
Renewed enthusiasm for reading
Teacher, Julie Hinman, from Avondale School, talks about how the introduction of iPads into her classroom renewed a student's enthusiasm for reading.
Raising student writing levels using Google docs
Vimi Chandra explains her teacher inquiry aimed at raising the writing levels of targeted students. Students' learning needs were identified. Tools and strategies to maximise those learning needs were selected.
Improving boys' writing using Google docs
Anna Swann, from Holy Cross School, explains her teacher inquiry into using Google docs to enhance achievement and engagement in writing with boys. She found the barriers to the writing were removed and the boys' attitudes changed.
Improving written and oral language with multimedia
Sally McDougall and her students explain their process for writing book reviews and creating QR codes to share them with the wider community. Using technologies as part of this learning process has resulted in improved written work, reading, oral communication, and confidence.
The impact of using Google Apps on literacy learning in the classroom
Liz Maclennan from Breens Intermediate, shares how she is using Google Apps with her students to raise literacy levels in her classroom.
Goal setting and reflection: Literacy learning supported by Google docs
Students from Breens Intermediate share how they record their literacy goals and reflections on Google docs. They describe the benefits of using this tool for collaboration, ease of access, and specific feedback.
Stop motion animation to promote literacy
Sue Martin uses stop motion animation with her students to promote narrative skills, particularly sequencing and retelling. After teaching them how, her students now work independently during reading time in the animation corner for about 10–15 minutes at a time.
Netbooks an onramp to success in literacy
Using a netbook, Google docs, and blogging has improved learning outcomes and increased engagement for Teva, a year 5 student. The digital tools help facilitate ongoing learning conversations between Teva, his teacher, and his mother.
Improving oral language and writing with Photostory
Marion Croad, teacher from Irongate School, describes the improvements in her new entrant students' written and oral language as a result of using Photostory. The majority of students are Māori and Pacific Islanders with English as a second language.
Using digital stories to improve student literacy
Natasha Jacobs and students from her Year 5/6 class at Irongate School share their learning journey. To develop their understanding of story structure students retell Māori myths. Students explain how they create a storywheel that is then digitised and supported with audio narration.
Benefits of using laptops in the writing process
Dave McShane, principal at Te Kura o Kutarere, describes how the use of laptops in the writing process has enabled students to engage and sustain their focus on the task. He comments on the way technology allows students to use their imagination and not be limited by pen and paper.
Writing with iPads
Avondale School teacher, Rae Marsh, explains how using Screen Chomp, an iPad writing app, has has helped a year 5 student to form letters correctly.
Sharing book reviews with QR codes
Kim Bizo, librarian at Hillcrest Normal School, demonstrates and describes the process for making QR codes of book reviews with gifted and talented students.
Using Storybird to improve literacy skills
Susan Lee, teacher at Te Kura o Kutarere shares how using Storybird, a free digital story writing tool, in her classroom has made a significant impact on the literacy development of her students. She describes how students have become self motivated and proud of their work.
Improving student writing with digital stories
Bridget Harrison from Kimi Ora Community School, discusses how her students are using digital stories to scaffold the writing process. She explains that this new approach has led to significant improvements in asTTle writing data.
Snapshots
Snapshots of learning featuring elearning opportunities within the English learning area.
Updated on: 16 Apr 2018
