Design Teaching Strategies
Plan differentiated activities as part of regular classroom instruction as far as possible. The plan may contain some individualised support (e.g. individual reading activities with an SLSO) but these should not form the majority of the student’s Literacy and Numeracy program.
Consider
- Breaking down tasks into component steps
- Prompts for students to learn the steps in a task
- Supportive student groupings for Literacy and Numeracy
- Asking advice of Learning and Support teacher, or teachers with specialist literacy or numeracy knowledge
- Time allocated to your class of Learning and Support or ESL teachers, SLSOs, parent helpers
- Supporting student’s individual goals within whole class learning activities
- Opportunities to practice the skill frequently in authentic contexts
- Praise and reinforcement when the student is successful
Ensure that the teaching strategies you are designing are feasible, with the resources available to you. For example, don’t plan an individual withdrawal program if there is no one available to administer it.
Agree On
Responsibilities
Plans will be most successful when formulated collaboratively, with everyone involved developing a common understanding of their responsibilities.
Ensure that everybody knows how to carry out their part of the plan. This may involve training SLSOs or other teachers how to administer a reading program, showing parents/carers some strategies for reading with their child at home, and training the student themselves on how to do individual practice activities.
Evaluation
Post-assessment must be a planned part of the Literacy and Numeracy Plan. A variety of assessment methods may be used.
If the goal is not met by the review date, consider whether strategies may need to be changed, whether the goal was attainable or realistic, or if it just needs more time to be met.
All parents/carers have the ability to make some contribution, regardless of their own literacy and numeracy skills. Talking with their child about what they are learning, keeping in communication with the school, and involving their child in everyday household activities are valuable.