The Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy

In the second part of the podcast with Lisa Burman, the discussion centres on the concept of student agency and its direct link to teacher agency. Lisa emphasises that educators play a crucial role in shaping learning experiences, and how a teacher’s sense of agency directly affects students’ ability to take ownership of their learning. Teacher Agency as the Foundation for Student Agency Lisa refl...

In the latest podcast episode, listeners are invited to delve into the transformative power of student agency with Lisa Burman, a literacy consultant, author, and expert in early childhood education. With over 20 years of experience working across Australia, New York, and Southeast Asia, Lisa shares her insights into how fostering agency can radically enhance both teaching and learning. The conver...

In the second instalment of the podcast series "Teachers Celebrating Their Students’ Writing," Sharon, Phil, Tamara and Hayley dive into the process of how young Foundation learners transition from recognising words to actively using them in their writing. The episode explores the practical methods teachers employ to reinforce phonics, such as using digraphs like "CK" in words like "back," "duck,"...

In this special episode of the podcast, Sharon welcomes guests Tamara Biddle and Hayley Allen from Mount Barker South Primary School to discuss their innovative approach to fostering writing skills among Foundation Year students. Tamara, a foundation teacher with a decade of experience in early childhood education, and Hayley, a student support officer with a diverse background, share their succes...

In this third part of the "Education Great" podcast series, Garth Boomer delivers a powerful closing address titled "Making it Explicit, Making it Possible." Boomer opens with a stark reflection on the harsh realities of the world, cautioning educators against being swept away by the temporary excitement of conferences, and reminding them of the challenges that await in their everyday professional...

In Part 2 of the "Education Great" podcast, listeners are drawn deeper into the legacy of Garth Boomer, a pioneering educator whose influence stretched across continents. The episode paints a vivid picture of Boomer's educational philosophy and its enduring impact. Sharon and her co-hosts delve into the nuances of Boomer's approach, which was rooted in the belief that education should be child-cen...

In Part 1 of this podcast, listeners are transported into the world of Garth Boomer, a revolutionary Australian educator whose legacy still resonates in the halls of academia and the classrooms of South Australia. Known for his innovative approaches to curriculum and pedagogy, Boomer's journey begins in the modest town of Mount Barker, where his academic and athletic prowess quickly shone through....

In the fourth part of our podcast series ‘Teaching Reading in the First Year of School’, we delve into the intricacies of teaching reading in the first year of school. Hosted by Phil and Diane, this episode tackles the often oversimplified narrative that there are only two types of reading instruction: those who teach phonics explicitly and those who don't. They emphasise that teaching reading is...

In this enlightening episode (Part 3) of the " Teaching Reading in the First Year of School " podcast, literacy education expert Diane Snowball dives deeply into the often overlooked yet crucial aspects of teaching reading in schools. She stresses that while phonemic awareness and phonics are essential, comprehension and vocabulary instruction must also be prioritised. Diane highlights a common is...

Welcome back to Part 2 of our podcast series on “Teaching Reading in the First Year of School" with literacy expert, Diane Snowball. In this episode, we delve into the vital components of building a strong foundation in literacy for young learners. Diane emphasises the importance of creating a rich linguistic environment through Read-Aloud, Shared Reading, and exposing children to a variety of tex...

Welcome to "Teaching Reading in the First Year of School," a series of podcasts dedicated to guiding educators through the essential components of a comprehensive reading curriculum for beginning readers. Join host Phil and literacy expert Diane Snowball as they delve into the critical aspects of teaching reading to young learners. In this episode, Diane Snowball, a renowned literacy specialist, p...

In this podcast episode of "Invitation to New Books," hosts Sharon Callen and Genevieve Kruyssen delve into a delightful array of new children's books, highlighting the enchanting narratives and rich cultural tapestries that make each one a must-read. The conversation begins with "The Wombat Who Fell in Love with the Sky" by Tylissa Elisara. Genevieve's admiration for the story is evident as she d...

In this episode of "Invitation to New Books," Sharon and Phil welcome the engaging Genevieve Kruyssen from the renowned Brisbane bookshop "Where the Wild Things Are." This lively discussion promises an exciting journey through a handpicked selection of children’s books that Genevieve enthusiastically shares. The episode begins with Genevieve introducing the enchanting picture book "Good Night, Goo...

Welcome back to our podcast series on "High Impact Strategies for Struggling Readers, Years 3 to 6." Today, we delve into paired reading, a one-on-one strategy with proven success, particularly in classrooms where students need tailored interventions. To recap our journey so far: we've explored reading workshops, book selection strategies, and the importance of read-aloud sessions. Each strategy i...

Welcome back to part six of our podcast series on high-impact strategies for struggling readers in Years 3 to 6. Today, we delve into the power of reading aloud, a topic that Mem Fox has passionately explored. Let's reiterate the value of making read-aloud sessions a daily, intentional practice. Once you establish a routine of read-alouds, students will look forward to it and demand it. This excit...

In the latest instalment of their podcast series, Sharon and Phil delve into high-impact strategies for struggling readers in years three to six, shedding light on the profound effects these methods can have. This episode, part five, spotlights the importance of read-aloud sessions and explores why this practice is a cornerstone for literacy development. Sharon begins by acknowledging that their j...

In the latest instalment of our podcast series, Sharon and Phil delve into the realm of supporting struggling readers in Years 3 to 6 with high-impact strategies. They emphasise the importance of selecting books that offer rich experiences beyond just the words on the page. They explore how intricate illustrations can enhance the reading experience for struggling readers, drawing them into the nar...

In the latest episode of our podcast series, we're diving deep into empowering struggling readers in grades three to six through effective book selection strategies. We start by emphasising the importance of structured reading workshops, which lay the groundwork for literacy development by aligning learning intentions, methodologies, and evaluation. At the core of literacy development lies book se...

In the latest episode of our podcast series, Sharon Callen and her colleague Phil return to delve deeper into the transformative strategies of the Reading ‘workshop’. This time, they shine a spotlight on the power of phrasing, a crucial element of fluency that can revolutionise reading comprehension and engagement, especially for struggling readers. Sharon kicks off the discussion with a passionat...

In this podcast episode, Sharon and Phil delve into strategies for teaching struggling readers, particularly focusing on students in years three to six. They emphasise the importance of addressing the needs of struggling readers while also catering to the diverse range of all readers in the classroom. The discussion begins with Sharon highlighting the common questions teachers have about supportin...

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, Misty Adoniou and Phil delve into the intricacies of evidence-based teaching, exploring its history and current challenges.  Misty challenges the misconception that teachers simply need ready-made materials to alleviate their time constraints, asserting that teachers are time-poor due to administrative burdens, not lesson planning. She emphasises the impo...

In episode 107 of the podcast "Evidence Based Teaching," literacy expert Misty Adoniou joins host Phil to delve into the essence of evidence-based teaching. Misty, an Associate Professor in Language Literacy and TESOL, brings extensive experience and insights to the discussion. She emphasises the importance of evidence-based teaching, highlighting its role in fostering observable, positive learnin...

The podcast episode titled "New Writing Units Uncovered – Part 2, Ep 106 with Sharon Callen" delves into the intricacies of teaching writing with joy and effectiveness. Sharon Callen and team discuss the process of planning writing units, emphasising the importance of starting with purpose and mentor texts rather than just focusing on structure. By immersing students in high-quality literature, te...

The podcast discusses the universal principles of learning and teaching, emphasising the importance of understanding learners' perspectives regardless of age.  It explores the idea that teaching should involve putting oneself in the shoes of the learner to better adapt to their needs. Hosts Sharon and Phil reflect on their experiences as learners and the continuous journey of improvement.  They de...

In this podcast, Diane Snowball discusses how Shared Reading fits into the broader reading experiences of children, and it’s deep pedagogical base. She emphasises the gradual release of responsibility from reading aloud to independent practice in reading. Diane highlights the importance of choosing appropriate books for Shared Reading and how this practice fosters fluency, comprehension, and the d...