Building reading stamina supports students to read for an extended time, trains muscle memory and supports an increased attention.

Teaching a procedure for ...]]> http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2012/05/07/reading-stamina/feed/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2012/04/15/teaching-programs-products/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2012/04/15/teaching-programs-products/#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 09:53:59 +0000 Angela Ehmer http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/?p=57 With the introduction of the Australian Curriculum, teachers have never been so inundated with products and programs claiming to enhance or build the literacy skills of students. Pre-packaged, or commercially produced programs for phonics, high frequency words, word work and comprehension have been around for decades and online access has added another dimension to their use.

Some products even claim to be effective in ‘teaching comprehension’ ...]]> http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2012/04/15/teaching-programs-products/feed/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/11/24/top-5-reading-crimes/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/11/24/top-5-reading-crimes/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:27:06 +0000 Angela Ehmer http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/?p=56 Would you agree that a love of reading is developed, not innate? If so, you are likely to actively nurture a love and appreciation of literature, knowing that it is advantageous to the learner and an integral part of successful literacy instruction.

Have you ever observed students as they listen to a practiced author or storyteller read aloud, ever engaging the audience, beckoning active engagement by ...]]> http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/11/24/top-5-reading-crimes/feed/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/09/23/big-kids-too-old-for-picture-books/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/09/23/big-kids-too-old-for-picture-books/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:27:49 +0000 Angela Ehmer http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/?p=55 Big kids too old for picture books?

What can picture book authors offer older students … more experienced writers, still developing crafting skills and learning the tricks of the writing trade?

Last week I shared, ‘Fancy Nancy’ by Jane O’Connor, with some Year 5 students, to highlight how cleverly the author used words, seemingly too complex for the intended audience, to paint the canvas of her ...]]> http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/09/23/big-kids-too-old-for-picture-books/feed/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/08/28/novel-study/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/08/28/novel-study/#comments Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:49:56 +0000 Angela Ehmer http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/?p=53 A secondary student recently asked me why he needed to read novels at school, as he had no plans to ever read another one once he left.

I acknowledged his feelings, but explained that he’d probably view lots of narratives as films, plays or television shows. Therefore, it’s important to build knowledge of different ways ideas can be presented and may be ...]]> http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/08/28/novel-study/feed/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/08/08/writing-game/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/08/08/writing-game/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 01:10:46 +0000 Angela Ehmer http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/?p=52 Writing games provide skills practice with authentic texts …

Simple games can provide opportunities for language experience, explicit teaching, coaching and collaboration. Here’s a simple one I was playing recently. You need 45 minutes for crafting, reviewing, revising, sharing and feedback.

Start with two sentences:

Jack went up the hill. He found Jill.

Organise students into pairs or groups of three and explain:

Your task is to work ...]]> http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/08/08/writing-game/feed/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/07/27/bookmark-and-prompt-card-additional-resources/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/07/27/bookmark-and-prompt-card-additional-resources/#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 22:53:27 +0000 Angela Ehmer http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/?p=54 Thank you for your comments and emails about the recent prompt card and bookmark. In response to early years’ teachers, we are happy to offer the Reading Strategy bookmarks for younger readers (PDF 342 kB). To limit the quantity of text, two different bookmarks have been created; one bookmark supports word solving, the other comprehension. Both bookmarks have prompts ...]]> http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/07/27/bookmark-and-prompt-card-additional-resources/feed/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/07/20/reading-bookmark-and-before-reading-prompt-card/ http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/2011/07/20/reading-bookmark-and-before-reading-prompt-card/#comments Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:49:12 +0000 Angela Ehmer http://www.literacysolutions.com.au/blog/?p=51 It is vital that students apply before, during and after reading strategies with confidence and independence. As students develop better understandings about what proficient readers do and think, it can be helpful to provide them with supports or scaffolds to prompt for the thinking required.