Nicola's New Thinking
Sunday, 31 August 2025
Day Nine
Thursday, 21 August 2025
Day 8
This is some data from the latest survey that the children completed. I think it is great that the children think they are good at reading and that they think their family have a positive attitude towards it. The children having these positive attitudes about their ability can only help to make them be successful in reading. I will say I do think that I need to, as a teacher, keep working on ensuring they know what I think of their reading. I actually had a child afterwards pop up and see me about what my thoughts are on their reading. Them thinking they are good readers is going to help them to have a positive attitude which can definitely help them to make progress in reading.
Monday, 4 August 2025
Day 8
Today was about the importance of Create in reading. I agree with the fact most children are more engaged when they are working on their create activity.
Monday, 14 July 2025
Day 7 RPI
This week we looked at thinking and how this plays an important role in reading. The following image in my opinion is a good represenation of the importance of it.
Analysing texts and using figurative language to help understand the text is important.
Example below
Monday, 9 June 2025
Vocabulary
The study shown above shows something I have known for awhile regarding the amount of words heard by children and how this affects them. I agree very much with the image below.
Monday, 19 May 2025
Reading- Timetables
Today we talked about timetables and had a look at some different ones. This is always interesting as to what other schools do and what gets prioritised. The new curriculum is requiring as to fit a bit more in our timetables, which does make things interesting. I feel limited as to what I can change with the timetable. We are covering a bit, however, I would still like to work on fitting in the library as that has fallen off. The task board helps the children I teach to know what to do within the reading time slot. So I feel this is going okay. Our website is easy to use and is only three clicks to my reading task.
Ideas I would like to work on are- including a percentage part in the mahi tracker
- adding in a collaborative task
- using Readworks effectively
- anticipation guide ( have used something similar but might try this one)
Below are some things I need to remember when designing my independent activities.
The skill builder on inferencing today was good. I have some resources for this so was great to see a few more. I will definitely look and see if we have the book Key into Inference. I did not realise that Readworks has some activities with this so will see what I can find that will fit in with what we are reading.
Independent Activities-Homework activity
Recently, I have had more of an emphasis on vocabulary in independent activities. These are okay and actually for some have been a challenge to do. I have had to teach dictionary skills, which is a new one for them, and this is in the new English curriculum. The children though are beginning to understand that it is not okay to just read over words they don't know. I look forward to finding out about new vocabulary activities that will be engaging but also teach them about the word. I wanted to include Readworks app as part of their independent work, however am having technique issues. I like how this has questions and a little work on vocabulary.
Monday, 28 April 2025
Small Group Instruction
Today we talked about small group instruction otherwise known as guided reading. We talked about the why and how to introduce a book. This was a review for me particular around background knowledge and prior knowledge. The model below on an approach you can take was good and a nice reminder of what needs to be included.