Mā te kimi ka kite, Mā te kite ka mōhio, Mā te mōhio ka mārama

Seek and discover. Discover and know. Know and become enlightened

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Key points​

• Structured Literacy is an approach, not a programme.

• The Principles of Structured literacy are: Systematic & cumulative, diagnostic, and explicit methodology.

• The Elements of Structured Literacy include: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

• Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the spoken parts of words, including syllables, onset–rime, and phonemes.

• Phonemic awareness is the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. 

• Phonological and phonemic awareness are key skills in getting students ready to read.

• In structured literacy, phonics is taught through an explicit, systematic, and sequential approach following a scope and sequence.

• A typical Structured Literacy session will:

  • Follow a sequential order of skill introduction - all the concepts are organised ahead of time including the order in which you introduce sounds and the order in which you build onto higher-level skills.

  • Follow a structured order every time -  The format may look like this:

    • Start with a structured review of previously taught concepts, introduce the new sound/rule, and practice the new rule at the sound, word, and then sentence level.

    • Introduce the new rule. Transition to specific phonological awareness activities, spelling practice, and sentence dictation. Layer in activities based on identified areas of need based on student assessment.

    • Use assessment to guide the next steps.

• As RTLB working with schools, start small and build on what is already happening.

• The Structured Literacy journey requires time.

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Links to dig deeper (with thanks to Christine and Julie)

• UFLI Manual Foundations explicit and systematic phonics programme for proficient reading. Purchase from UFLI Foundations – Auspeld

• Jocelyn Seamer's Book, 'Reading Success in the Early Primary Years'. A step by step guide to structured literacy instruction for teachers in the early years of primary school. Purchase from Jocelyn Seamer Education.

• Nancy Young and Jan Hasbrouck's book, 'Climbing the Ladder of Reading and Writing: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners Professional Development Book'. Purchase from J&J Literacy in NZ

• Dr Helen Walls and Dr Christine Braid's book, 'How to Teach Writing, Spelling and Grammar. An evidence-based approach to teaching writing across the primary school years'. Purchase from Essential Resources in NZ.

• Claire Knight's book, 'Morphology Basics', Quick and easy lessons that help teachers translate research related to the power of morphology to advance spelling, vocabulary and reading, into straightforward strategies for Years 3-8 classrooms. Purchase from Essential Resources in NZ.

 

Free Professional Learning Sites (with thanks to Christine and Julie)

• Pattan Literacy Resource Hub

• The Education Hub

• K-3rd Structured Literacy Program | Courses | Cox Campus

• The TEPiL Facebook page - check out the files section

• Tātai Angitu

• Reading Rockets: Launching Young Readers

• Phonics Books UK advice

• Florida Centre for Reading Research

• Phormes

• Reading Science in Schools

• Dr Pam Kastner's Wakelet

• Five from Five

• Literacy How

• Literacy Hub Australia

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Podcasts, blogs, and social media

• Melissa & Lori Love Literacy

• The Structured Literacy Podcast Jocelynseamereducation.com

• The Science of Reading Podcast by Amplify

• Reading Matters (Seidenberg) blog

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Sites for free teaching resources 

• Letters and Sounds – Free phonics resources for the Letters and Sounds programme (letters-and-sounds.com) 

• Kiwi Reading Doctor Facebook Page (files section, good for older readers)

• https://letters-and-sounds.com/

• UFLI foundations Toolbox

• On The Same Page blog (good for older students)

• Phonics Plus 1. grapheme cards with teaching notes on the back (link through Tahurangi site, including Te Reo Māori Kete Cards), books with lesson plans for each

• Can Do Kids Academy  (morphology - click through to free resources)

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Acknowledgments

Dr Christine Braid (Massey University) and Julie Nugent (RTLB, Cluster 8) - Interviewees
Corrinne Devitt - Co-Host, scripting and show notes
Ve Grant-Lawlor - Co-host, scripting, music, production, editing, and publishing