Conversation July 12, 2022 by Anabela Malpique, Deborah Pino Pasternak, Deborah Valcan
This short piece reminds us that learning to write is not
only the responsibility of the school but there are many ways parents can
involve their children in learning to write. Their research demonstrates that
the time learning to write in the classroom is often less than the time
learning to spell. While they agree that the development of spelling skills is
obviously important, they are concerned as to the lack of attention given to
planning and reviewing a piece of writing. They suggest there are ways that
families might contribute to their child’s learning to write and offer 6
suggestions (and a link to a PETAA resource with many other ideas).
Keywords: Learning to write Parent involvement
Brian Cambourne, University of Wollongong Foundation for
Learning and Literacy, April 2021
Brian Cambourne provides a
summary of the history of the debates about reading instruction dating from as
far back as 1779 and outlines the debates that have occurred, and reoccurred
through the 1950’s, 1960’s, 1970’s and continue to resurface every decade
since. Cambourne’s history begs the following question: 'Why is reading education so
pedagogically confused? The answer to this question lies in history as well as
in different understandings about what reading is.’
This
short paper published by the Foundation for Learning and Literacy provides a
very useful perspective with Cambourne concluding that ‘Such
theoretical arguments are not helpful for the teaching profession or the
teaching of reading. To date, not enough attention has been paid to educators’
experiences and their evidence in helping children learn to read in classroom contexts.’
Key words: Reading Reading wars Reading research Reading pedagogies
ABC News online 4 July 2021 by Sarah Scopelianos
This short online article provides insights for
parents and educators into the benefits of using audible books with children
alongside reading aloud to them. The article cites research undertaken by the UK
National Literacy Trust that found “benefits to listening to audio that mirror
those of reading, and [these] really helped legitimise their place as part of a
child's reading journey”.
Advice from Australian literacy expert Misty
Adoniou was sought. She advises parents to read to their children, not only to
build their relationships but also for greater learning outcomes. Dr
Adoniou, an adjunct associate professor in literacy and language at the
University of Canberra and a principal fellow at the University of Melbourne,
says reading isn’t just about sounding out words. She describes it
as “gaining meaning”. Misty Adoniou acknowledges that some of the benefits
of reading aloud carry over into audiobooks, like exposing young readers to
harder books they can’t read yet. “If we leave it, we’ll just have kids reading
what they’re able to read by themselves [and] then they’re stuck on
low-level, low-interest books in the beginning,” Dr Adoniou says. More complex
stories increase a child’s vocabulary, which is a huge benefit."We know that
the size of your vocabulary is the best indicator of success at
school; not just in reading, in every curriculum area," Dr Adoniou
says.
Key words: Reading Vocabulary Audible books,
Jo Padgham (Principal, Turner School 2016)
This article provides ideas for parents on how to support early reading development. The article gives suggestions that can be easily incorporated into family routines.
Key words: Reading Early childhood
Wilhelm, Jeffrey D. Edutopia; October 30, 2017
This article summarises a study by Jeffrey Wilhelm and Michael Smith that finds reading for pleasure has many forms, and each form provides distinct benefits that are outlined in the article. It concludes; “Make no mistake, the next generation standards worldwide require profound cognitive achievements. Meeting such standards and the demands of navigating modern life will require student effort and the honing of strategies over time. Promoting the power of reading for pleasure is a proven path there.”
Key words: Reading Pleasure Choice Research Lifelong reading
Rosen, Michael blogspot Friday 26 February 2021
In this blog,
well-known author Michael Rosen unpacks the question How does Reading for
Pleasure produce this seemingly magic effect without direct instruction? To
answer that question, Rosen looks at the process of reading and how
children and young people respond. Rosen has a check list for
teachers to discuss, adapt, argue with in whatever ways they choose.The
checklist includes reading for pleasure creates a space for readers to interpret;
to experience empathy;to leap from the oral code of English to the written code; to learn knowledge and wisdom; to learn about stylistic devices and to learn about possibility and change.
Rosen concludes this
blogpost with “There is a lot of talk in the air about how to
help children 'catch up' because of the pandemic. Helping children
to read widely and often for pleasure will help them ... This is a kind of
education in a holistic way.”
Key words: Reading Pleasure Choice Research Lifelong reading
Jo Padgham (Principal, Turner School 2017)
This article makes suggestions for parents to support their child’s writing development. It is divided into sections making it easily accessible for parents to identify an area they can try at home.
Key words: Writing Early childhood Primary
This Foundation for Learning and Literacy published article is one of two partner articles on supporting struggling readers and writers and expands on Touchstone 6. The partner article is Principles for working with struggling readers and writers- advice for teachers across primary and secondary schools.
This article draws on research and practice in order to provide teachers and school leaders with research evidence and informed instructional and organisational practices to meet the needs of those students who are struggling as readers and writers.
Key words: Reading Writing Intervention Engagement Support Strategies Expectations
This Foundation for Learning and Literacy published article is one of two partner articles on supporting struggling readers and writers and expands on Touchstone 6. The partner article is Meeting the needs of struggling readers and writers, particularly in the later primary years and secondary years.
This article outlines principles aimed to assist teachers in adjusting their literacy teaching for individual students who are experiencing some difficulty with reading and writing. They are based on what research tells us about struggling readers and writers.
Key words: Reading Writing Difficulties Engagement Support
International Reading Association (2020)
The International Reading Association has published this useful and important list for teachers and parents to keep in mind.
Key words: Reading
In March 2020, Noella Mackenzie, Associate
Professor at Charles Sturt University wrote 3 short posts for parents and
carers on her blog. Each of the posts provides useful support for parents and
carers who have children who are learning to read.Helping your child
with reading:
1 Reading Aloud
2. Reading WITH your child
3. Children reading BY themselves
Key words: Reading Parent support Motivation
Margaret Kristin Merga in The Conversation August 9 2021
This
Conversation article by Margaret Kristen Merga from Edith Cowan University
outlines the findings from
a research project on school libraries and well-being provide insight into how
books and reading can help young people deal with the well-being challenges of
the pandemic. The findings suggest books can not only be a great escape during
this challenging time, but also offer further well-being benefits. Parents,
teachers, school librarians and school leaders will appreciate this article.
Key words: Reading research School libraries Reading for pleasure Fostering empathy Well-being Pandemic,
Link to Touchstones
1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11
The Conversation 2 December 2021 by Ruth Bovask, Celeste Harrington and John Milne
This
article reports on the first comprehensive review of the many positive aspects
of encouraging children and young people to read for pleasure in Aotearoa, New
Zealand. While much reading research
concentrates on developing children’s literacy, this research documents the relationship
between children’s enjoyment of reading, better mental health improved school
achievement. It also links children’s reading for pleasure with sound
decision-making, the demonstration of empathy and the valuing of both others
and their environment. Practical strategies to help parents and caregivers
encourage children’s reading for pleasure are also included.
Key words: Reading for pleasure Benefits for children who enjoy reading Strategies to encourage reading for pleasure
Rosen, Michael blogspot Friday 26 February 2021
In this blog,
well-known author Michael Rosen unpacks the question How does Reading for
Pleasure produce this seemingly magic effect without direct instruction? To
answer that question, Rosen looks at the process of reading and how
children and young people respond. Rosen has a check list for
teachers to discuss, adapt, argue with in whatever ways they choose.The
checklist includes reading for pleasure creates a space for readers to interpret;
to experience empathy;to leap from the oral code of English to the written code; to learn knowledge and wisdom; to learn about stylistic devices and to learn about possibility and change.
Rosen concludes this
blogpost with “There is a lot of talk in the air about how to
help children 'catch up' because of the pandemic. Helping children
to read widely and often for pleasure will help them ... This is a kind of
education in a holistic way.”
Key words: Reading Pleasure Choice Research Lifelong reading