Literacy group and reading levels.

For the past week I have been testing most of the students in my literacy class to check if they have made any progress in their reading levels. I used running records which is one way that our school assesses reading. It's a great tool to use when not only testing whether a child has made any progress, but also to observe reading behaviours of individual students. 

I found that only 3 students out of a class of 25 had failed their running record test. Since the start of the year the levels of progress have been very different. Most of the students are reading below or well below their age. Here is a list showing the progress of students so far:

3 months progress = 2 students

6 months progress = 12 students

9 months progress = 2 students

One years progress = 6 students

More than one years progress = 1 student

We have 2 new students in our class since the tests were done. Some students attend the AWS reading programme with Ms Timmi and Ms Squires. Quite a few also attend reading support with Mrs Clarke and her volunteers. 

Inquiry Focus in Term 3

 This term I have decided to focus on a small group of students in my literacy class. These students are achieving below the norm in reading and writing. I see each student for guided reading at least twice per week. Some of them also attend AWS (a specialised literacy programme) and Reading Support. 

We tend to focus on writing first thing in the morning. As most of the students in my literacy class are achieving well below in writing, it is important to build mileage by providing many opportunities to write. We often start with a discussion around a topic or interesting image, then we continue with a whole class brainstorm. The writing is co-constructed and sentences are written in large writing on the whiteboard. The class reads what is written out loud,  then students copy this into their writing book. This is then typed into their copy of the writing task which is usually on a Google Slide presentation. 

It is often difficult to find the time to conference for writing during the week. However, I always make it a priority to see my reading groups. Here are the reading ages from Term 1 and the start of Term 3 this year.