School-Wide PLD Quicklinks: Start with a Trial Start-Up TOD Do ONLiNE Courses In-School Support Train a Coach
'It's great to have one approach that covers Year 0 through to Year 8' Alice, DP Mangere Central School
Are you looking for a systematic approach to reading instruction across the whole school?
One that is deeply embedded in The Science of Reading and a structured approach to literacy?
That means a strong emphasis on expicit teaching, a robust phonics programme (SharpPhonics), small group routines for developing decoding fluency (Stages 1&2), clear processes for habituating skills for constructing meaning (Stage 3 and Stage 4) and finally, a clever introduction to critical thinking (Stage 5). Alternatively, you may just need an approach to deal with comprehension (Stages 3 & 4) as student emerge from their Structured Literacy programme in Yrs 0-3.
We can customise your School-Wide PD to meet whatever your specific needs and budget constraints are. We have tried and proven systems in place with checks and balances to make sure you get the full benefit of continuity throughout the school.
STEP 1: Do your due diligence
New to SharpReading?
Here is a chance to dip your toes into the water to find out whether this is really going to meet the needs of your school. We will make sure you get all the support your teachers need to make this a runaway success.
That will make the next steps so much easier. There will be credibility for SharpReading in the school and you will have developed some expertise that can be channelled into the coaching roles later on in the process.
Step 2: Get Whole Staff Buy-in
Ready to commit school-wide?
Run a training event to get that initial buy-in from all your staff and initiate some momentum. This can be a Teacher-Only-Day in your school or via a Zoom Webinar.
We will include an overview of the theory and a very practical introduction to the classroom routines which means that everyone can make a start in their classrooms on the very next day!
Step 3: Ongoing commitment to new learning
This is more than just a one-day wonder!
The ONLiNE Course is the heart of this training. Access to the video models and extended explanations are at your teacher's finger tips to consolidate and review the new learning.
We help you set up procedures to monitor that this is happening and teachers are moving forward with their new learning. Having said that, we want to emphasise that this PLD does not have a big footprint! The 'work' that the teachers have to do is just getting mileage and fluency with new routines!
Step 4: Is it happening?
Getting transfer of new ideas into the classroom
In-School follow up is the key is to making sure the theory gets transferred into the classroom. Without this support many teachers get sidetracked with everything else that there is to do.
We will work with teachers in their classroom to model, team teach, observe, and problem-solve until we get the implementation right.
Step 5: Make us redundant
Building fidelity and longevity into your school curriculum
The final piece in the process is to identify your SharpReading champions and get them trained as SharpReading experts within the school.
This will ensure that you and your students all get the full benefits of this approach to reading instruction and have systems in place to maintain the integrity and longevity of SharpReading.
Testimonials
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
SharpReading has been established at Nambour Christian College for 6 years. Hear what the current principal Kylee Baker had to say about the introduction school-wide.
South Auckland, New Zealand
Park Estate School (now Mangapikopiko School) introduced SharpReading school-wide 3 years ago. Principal Michelle Hayward talks about why she chose SharpReading.
Wellington, New Zealand
Lorraine Taylor has been a long-time advocate for the impact of SharpReading especially in Years 4-6 where it is now well established in her school.