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Professional readings

Subject Area: Literacy

  • Adolescent Literacy: An updated position statement from the International Reading Association, offered as a guide for supporting adolescents’ ongoing literacy development. This document builds on the 1999 statement in an effort to align the tremendous growth in the field of adolescent literacy, and outline what adolescents deserve.
  • Adolescent Literacy: Engaging Research and Teaching (ALERT): News alert from Literacy Gains website in Ontario that focuses on enabling students to pose and pursue their own questions. Literacy GAINS is an Ontario based website focusing on building individual and collective capacities to improve literacy learning and teaching in Ontario. This link offers 3 PDF documents which highlight research into how to Enable Students to Pose and Pursue their own Questions, Making Room for Talking to Learn and Necessary for Some: How to Help Students Who Struggle with Reading
  • Developing high impact teaching and leadership strategies for improved student outcomes.
    Presented by Stuart McNaughton and Aaron Wilson from the Woolf Fisher Research Centre, Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland. Four critical literacy questions for school leaders and teachers were addressed and discussed:
    • Why is subject area literacy important?
    • What do we need to know about effective literacy teaching?
    • What do we know about how to change?
    • What don’t we yet know?
  • McDonald, T., Thornley, C., (2009) Critical literacy for academic success in secondary school: Examining students’ use of disciplinary knowledge. Critical Literacy: Theories and Practices 3 (2), 56-68. Using findings from a longitudinal study involving 100 NZ secondary students, this article explores the ways that academically successful students demonstrated a critical orientation to text, to the curriculum and to school in general in order to foster their achievement.
  • Networked inquiry learning in secondary science classrooms: This research project aimed to understand and explore the ways electronically networked (e-networked) tools can support authentic science inquiry in junior secondary classrooms in order to address concerns about student engagement in science.
  • Reading in the Disciplines: The Challenges of Adolescent Literacy’. Carnegie Corporation, New York. (2010)
     This report outlines the challenges of adolescent reading, particularly in Science, History, Mathematics and Literature. Also included is a focus on discipline-specific reading strategies alongside generic strategies.
  • ReadingNext (PDF 2MB)  This report to Carnegie Corporation of New York - A vision for Action and Research in Middle and High School Literacy, delineates fifteen elements aimed at improving middle and high school literacy achievement right now.

Reference list for Secondary Literacy

A reference list compiled for the Secondary Literacy Project

Print resources

Alvermann, D. E. (2002). Effective literacy instruction for adolescents. Journal of Literacy Research, 34(2), 189-208.

Braunger, J., Donahue, D. M., Evans, K., Galguera, T., & Schoenbach, R. (2004). Rethinking preparation for content area teaching: The reading apprenticeship approach: Jossey-Bass

Conley, M. W. (2008). Cognitive strategy instruction for adolescents: What we know about the promise, what we don't know about the potential. Harvard Educational Review, 78(1).

Denti, L., & Guerin, D. (2004). Confronting the problem of poor literacy:Recognition and action. Reading and Writing Quarterly, 20(2), 113-122.

Denti, L., Guerin, D., & Guerin, G. R. (2007). Effective Practice for Adolescents with Reading and Literacy Challenges: Routledge.

Deshler, D. D., Palincsar, A. S., Biancarosa, G., & Nair, M. (2007). Informed choices for struggling adolescent readers: A research-based guide to instructional programs and practices. New York: International Reading Association.

Fisher, D., & Ivey, G. (2005). Literacy and language as learning in content-area classes: A departure from" every teacher a teacher of reading". Action in Teacher Education, 27(2), 3.

Greenleaf, C. L., Schoenbach, R., Cziko, C., & Mueller, F. L. (2001). Apprenticing adolescent readers to academic literacy. Harvard Educational Review 71(1), 79-129.

Hall, L. A. (2005). Teachers and content area reading: Attitudes, beliefs and change. Teaching and Teacher Education, 21, 403-414.

Harvey, C., & Glenn, J. (2007). NCEA Analysis for Teaching and Learning. Auckland, New Zealand: Team Solutions.

Hiebert, E. H., & Kamil, M. L. (2005). Teaching and learning vocabulary: Bringing research to practice: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Lai, M. K., McNaughton, S., Amituanai-Toloa, M., Turner, R., & Hsiao, S. (2009). Sustained Acceleration of Achievement in Reading Comprehension: The New Zealand Experience. Reading Research Quarterly, 44(1), 30-56.

May, S. (2006). Secondary Schools’ Literacy Initiative (SSLI): Summary of Key Findings

May, S., & Wright, N. (2007). Secondary literacy across the curriculum: Challenges and possibilities. Language and Education, 21(5), 370-376.

McDonald, T., & Thornley, C. (2005). Literacy teaching and learning during the secondary years: Establishing a pathway for success to NCEA and beyond. SET: Research Information for Teachers, 2, 9–14.

McDonald, T., & Thornley, C. (2006). Summary of Findings from the evaluation of the Effective Literacy Strategies: Pasifika Focus professional development project. Retrieved from www.tki.org.nz/r/literacy_numeracy/pdf/effective-literacy-strategies-pasifika-focus.pdf.

McNaughton, S. (2002). Meeting of minds. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.

McNaughton, S., & Lai, M. K. (2009). A model of school change for culturally and linguistically diverse students in New Zealand: a summary and evidence from systematic replication. Teaching Education, 20(1), 55-75.

Moje, E. B. (2008). Responsive literacy teaching in secondary school content areas. In M. W. Conley, J. R. Freidhoff, M. B. Sherry & S. F. Tuckey (Eds.), Meeting the Challenge of Adolescent Literacy: Research We Have, Research We Need. New York: The Guilford Press.

Moje, E. B., & Speyer, J. (2008). The reality of challenging texts in high school science and social studies. In K. A. Hinchman & H. K. Sheridan-Thomas (Eds.),Best Practices in Adolescent Literacy Instruction. New York: The Guilford Press.

O'Brien, D. G., Stewart, R. A., & Moje, E. A. (1995). Why content literacy is difficult to infuse into the secondary school: Complexities of curriculum, pedagogy, and school culture. Reading Research Quarterly, 30(3), 442-463.

Pressley, M. (2004). The need for research on secondary literacy education. In T. L. Jetton & J. A. Dole (Eds.), Adolescent Literacy Research and Practice (pp. 415). New York: The Guilford Press.

Schoenbach, R., Greenleaf, C., Hurwitz, L., & Cziko, C. (1999). Reading for understanding: A guide to improving reading in middle and high school classrooms: Jossey-Bass.

Shanahan, T., & Shanahan, C. (2008). Teaching disciplinary literacy to adolescents: rethinking content-area literacy. Harvard Educational Review, 78(1), 40-59.

Siebert, D., & Draper, R. J. (2008). Why content-area literacy messages do not speak to mathematics teachers: A critical content analysis. Literacy Research and Instruction, 47(4), 229-245.

Snow, C. E., & Biancarosa,G. eds. Adolescent Literacy and the Achievement Gap: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go From Here? Carnegie Corporation of New York Adolescent Literacy Funders Meeting Report. New York: Carnegie Corporation of New York, 2003.

Tatum, A. W. (2008). Toward a more anatomically complete model of literacy instruction: A focus on African American male adolescents and texts. Harvard Educational Review, 78(1), 155-180.

Thornley, C., & McDonald, T. (2002). Reading across the curriculum: Secondary school students talk about themselves as readers. SET: Research Information for Teachers, 1, 19-24.

Walqui, A. (2006). Scaffolding instruction for English language learners: A conceptual framework. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 9(2), 159-180.

Wray, D., & Lewis, M. (1997). Teaching factual writing: Purpose and structure. Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, 20(2).

Wright, N. (2007a). Building literacy communities of practice across subject disciplines in secondary schools. Language and Education, 21(5), 420-433.

Wright, N. (2007b). Teacher leadership: Refocusing pedagogy through literacy. New Zealand Journal of Educational Leadership, 22(2), 1-12.

Connected

Connected supports Aotearoa New Zealand’s histories and Tīkanga ā-Iwi, social sciences, inclusion, and wellbeing – within integrated literacy programmes. 

Connected has three issues for students in years 4–8, aligned to curriculum levels 2, 3, and 4. 

Alongside Connected, a new publication for Māori-medium kura called He Kōrero Tātai is available on Kauwhata ReoHe Kōrero Tātai also has three issues and supports Te Takanga o Te Wā within Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.
  

Connected 2022 Level 2 – Ki te hoe! | Let’s get going! cover.
Connected 2022 Level 3 – Ka ora kāinga rua | A new beginning cover.
Connected 2022 Level 4 – He māpihi maurea | A prized possession cover.

  
Connected is distributed to all English-medium schools and He Kōrero Tātai is distributed to Māori-medium kura. Copies of both Connected and He Kōrero Tātai can be requested from Down the Back of the Chair

All Connected and He Kōrero Tātai articles are also available as beautifully designed Google Slides with embedded audio. One article in each book has additional digital content. Each article has Teacher and Kaiako support materials available online.

Before 2022, the focus of the Connected series was scientific, technological, and mathematical literacy, and there are 24 texts with this STEM focus that are still available to view and download, along with images and additional media.

Looking for our latest resources?

An online catalogue has been created for Instructional Series.

You'll find Teacher support materials (TSM), digital copies of each article, and other resources.

What is available online?

Connected+ articles are available on Google Slides

Digital versions of each article are available on Google Drive using Google Slides. Google Slides is a free online presentation application that can be used on a range of devices, desktops, laptops, and digital whiteboards. 

Teacher Support Material (TSM) is available in MS Word and PDF

The TSMs for Connected+ are available digitally as downloadable PDFs and as MS Word documents for download and editing. Using the editable MS Word file, teachers can adapt the learning activities to meet the needs of their students and the context for learning.

Content available for re-use

Most of the images, text, videos, audio, and graphic elements for Connected+ are available for teachers and students to download and reuse for educational purposes. You must attribute the writers, illustrators, and photographers of any material you reuse. Acknowledgements are found at the end of each Google Slides article, and on the inside back cover of each printed issue. Some images are provided under a Creative Commons attribution-only licence. This material can be used by anyone for any purpose, as long as the creators are attributed. Find out more about the Creative Commons licences.

Individual files are accessible on Google Drive, and you can find these from a link on the first page of the digital version of each article.

Additional multimedia content for Connected+ articles

The digital version of the first article in each issue of Connected+ has additional digital content, such as video, additional images, website links, animation, and audio.

English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP) Pathway – Foundation to Stage 3 and ELLP Pathway Student Agency Record

The ELLP Pathway – Foundation to Stage 3 and ELLP Pathway Student Agency Record are optional resources to support the ELLP matrices.

They are closely aligned to the ELLP matrices, with additional detail from ELLP booklets and other Ministry of Education resources. They assist primary and intermediate teachers to plan day-to-day support for English language learners. Secondary teachers may also find them useful for learners working in Foundation to Stage 3. The ELLP Student Agency Record assists with fostering learner agency.

The ELLP Pathway Record of Progress may be used as an alternative to the ELLP Record of Progress to record a student’s progress using highlighted indicators. The highlighting informs the ‘achieved’ stages for twice yearly ESOL funding applications.

English Language Learning Progressions Pathway – Foundation to Stage 3 (Google Docs)

English Language Learning Progressions Pathway Student Agency Record (Google Docs)

English Language Learning Progressions Pathway Record of Progress (Google Docs)

The ELLP Pathway – Foundation to Stage 3 links to eight short Vimeo videos featuring Dr Jannie van Hees. They focus on knowing your learner and supporting English language learners.  

Knowing your learner

The family language Day-to-day code switching
Concept and knowledge gaps Immigrant dislocation and adjustment

The family language – its closeness to or distance from English

ELL (English language learner) is a generalised term. This Vimeo examines the differing challenges faced by new learners of English based on their heritage language.

Concept and knowledge gaps, and cognitive frustration 

Content learning is language dependent and may slow down while a learner focuses on learning English. This Vimeo looks at the issues involved and strategies to assist.

Day-to-day code switching

Code switching is switching between languages, which may be done internally. This Vimeo discusses the uses and benefits of code switching for bilingual learners.

Immigrant dislocation and adjustment

Immigrating to a new country generally causes considerable upheaval. This Vimeo explains the challenges faced by immigrant families and suggests ways to help.

Back to top

Supporting English language learners 

For new learners Scaffolding learning
Working in the learner's 'Goldilocks zone' Recycling learning and language

For new learners – focused attention to build-foundational English language knowledge

This Vimeo focuses on the need to prioritise the establishment of foundational English skills of very new learners and the long term benefits of this.

Working in the learner’s ‘Goldilocks zone'

Learning in the ‘just right’ zone – not too little, not too much – is most effective. This Vimeo gives practical advice about recognising when learning is just right.

Scaffolding learning

Scaffolding learning is multi-faceted. This Vimeo includes practical examples of scaffolding and how to merge the ‘known’ with new learning.

Recycling learning and language – a major factor influencing language acquisition

Much of what we do becomes automatic when we do it many times over. This Vimeo examines the importance of recycling and re-encountering language.

Professional support for teachers and teacher aides

English Language Learning Progressions

The English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP) are key documents for the assessment, planning and teaching of English language learners. They help teachers to choose content, vocabulary, and tasks that are appropriate to each learner's age, stage, and language-learning needs. This may include learners for whom English is a first language but who would benefit from additional language support.

English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP) Pathway –Foundation to Stage 3 and ELLP Pathway Student Agency Record

ELLP Pathway Years 1–8.

The ELLP Pathway – Foundation to Stage 3 is an optional, supplementary resource to support the English Language Learning Progressions. It assists primary and intermediate teachers to plan appropriate support for English language learners. The ELLP Pathway – Foundation to Stage 3 provides an overview of the ELLP stages, focus questions, and ideas for better knowing and supporting learners, and links to a range of useful resources.

The ELLP Pathway Student Agency Record is a simplified version of the resource for use by learners and teachers to promote student agency and to help plan next learning steps.

ELLP Pathway professional development module

Teacher seated at a table talking to students next to her.

A short professional learning and development module to explain the key features of the ELLP Pathway resource. It is a useful resource for all staff working with emergent bilingual and multilingual students.

ELLP professional support modules

Teacher meeting.

This English Language Learning Progressions resource is made up of seven modules, and includes guidance on using the ELLP resource for planning and assessment. The resource uses written work and video exemplars so that you can look at the ELLP in your own school context.

The modules can be used in any order and can be used in a variety of ways – on your own, working in small groups, or as part of a whole staff activity. Each module might take about an hour to complete.

At the end of each module you will find suggestions about leading professional development sessions with other teachers.

Making Language and Learning Work

Making Language and Learning Work DVD Covers

The Making Language and Learning Work DVDs demonstrate how to effectively integrate content-area teaching and language learning in mainstream subject classrooms for students from diverse language backgrounds. They show how to integrate effective literacy strategies, and how a range of teachers in different subject areas scaffold language and content area learning. The materials model how to personalise learning by supporting students at different levels of English proficiency in a manageable way in mainstream classes.

Working with English Language Learners

Woman at her desk.

A series of short modules to support the professional development of learning assistants who work with students who are learning English as an additional language.

Teaching approaches and strategies that work cover image

Research reports

Research reports published to support ESOL teaching in a New Zealand context.

Refugee students with learning materials.

Professional Learning and Development

A collection of important resources, online communities, and support services for teachers of English Language Learners.




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