Part 1: Understanding the Conferring Process In this insightful podcast, Phil and Sharon Callen explore the art of conferring with students in Years 3-6. Sharon begins by explaining that conferring is a powerful tool for both learning about students and helping them develop as readers. She emphasises that the key shift in her conferring practice came when she realised these sessions should provide immediate learning opportunities rather than just collecting information to use later. Sharon introduces the "Listening to Reading, Watching While Writing Protocol," a freely available tool developed ..read more

In this engaging episode of The Teacher's Toolkit for Literacy, Sharon Callen explores how to establish a thriving literacy environment for the year ahead. With her hallmark blend of enthusiasm and expertise, Sharon shares actionable insights to help teachers create purposeful, connected, and engaging spaces for students to learn and grow. Sharon begins by emphasising the importance of seamless literacy routines, offering a roadmap for integrating key tools like the writer’s notebook, reading journal, classroom library, and word walls. She highlights the Teachific platform, showcasing its cura ..read more

In this engaging podcast episode, Sharon Callen delves into the essential tools every teacher needs to kickstart a literacy-rich classroom for a successful year. She emphasises that creating a learning environment isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about equipping students with tools that inspire curiosity, agency, and growth. Sharon introduces five transformative strategies: Classroom Libraries, Reading Journals, Quick Writes, Writer’s Notebooks, and Word Walls, highlighting their practical impact on fostering lifelong reading and writing habits. The Power of Classroom Libraries A vibrant class ..read more

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 journey through these strategies has been unexpectedly extensive, reflecting on the depth and significance of each method they’ve discussed. She emphasises that the strategies they explore are research ..read more

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 importance of evidence-based teaching, which involves adapting instruction based on observable student needs, rather than blindly following pre-made lesson plans. Misty traces the evolution of educat ..read more

This podcast episode with expert numeracy consultant Rob Vingerhoets covers various teaching strategies, including apprenticeship vs lecture style learning Various components of apprenticeship style learning are covered:  'On the Spot' teaching, immediate feedback, engaging tasks, and students as teachers. Other aspects include explicit teaching, student reflection, using key words, and the power of questioning. The episode concludes with insights on classroom changes and the importance of flexible teaching approaches. The team discusses: 02:27 Introduction to Rob Vingerhoets 06:09 Lectu ..read more

Unlocking the Joy of Comprehension in Early Literacy In this inspiring episode, literacy expert Diane Snowball delves into the transformative power of teaching comprehension in the foundational years (F-2). She underscores that comprehension is not just about understanding words but unlocking meaning, purpose, and the joy of reading. Diane shares practical strategies for educators and parents to nurture confident, thoughtful readers who engage deeply with texts. Diane begins by celebrating the enduring value of reading aloud, even as children become independent readers. She emphasises its role ..read more

In Part 2: The Importance of Teaching Comprehension in F–2, Diane Snowball captivates listeners with her invaluable insights on teaching comprehension to Foundation through Year 2 students in Part 2 of this illuminating podcast series. Her wisdom bridges the gap between theory and practice, empowering educators to weave decoding and comprehension seamlessly into their teaching. The Role of Shared Reading Diane paints a vivid picture of shared reading (together, all eyes on enlarged text)as a powerful tool for nurturing young readers. She delves into teaching cohesive ties—those linguistic thre ..read more

In the latest episode of “The Importance of Teaching Comprehension in F-2 – A Conversation with Diane Snowball,” literacy expert Diane Snowball sits down with Phil to explore why comprehension should be the heartbeat of early literacy, especially in an era dominated by phonics and decoding. Diane passionately explains that teaching comprehension is not something to reserve for later; instead, it should be woven into reading instruction from the very first day a child encounters a book. Diane discusses how comprehension isn’t just about words—it's about engaging young minds in the "who, wh ..read more

In this podcast episode, Sharon continues to dive into an innovative protocol designed by Dr. Nell Duke and her team, aimed at enhancing literacy instruction for teachers and students alike. Sharon explores how this assessment tool serves as a guide to help teachers track and support students’ growth in reading and writing with a focus on clarity, purpose, and alignment with curriculum standards. The protocol’s foundation lies in purpose-driven literacy tasks, helping students understand the "why" behind their work. By prompting questions like, “Why am I writing this?” or “Who is this for?”, t ..read more