Literacy Across The Spectrum

Image: Greg Rosenke

“Reading is important, because if you can read, you can learn anything about everything and everything about anything.”

Tomie dePaola 

Can you remember the first book that you read? Did you read it cover-cover, or did you read the conclusion and then started at first page? Teaching reading, much like numeracy, is one of the core skills that teachers display, especially in the early years of Primary school. The current debate around phonics is moving into Policy in every state and territory of our nation. In the classroom, effective teachers use many multiple strategies to support students learning to read.

Reading is fundamental to speaking and listening. If learning to read was described as a ball that rolls across every syllabus, then it is easy to understand the importance of teaching children how to read. It also highlights the dramatic effect that low socio-economic status and cultural background including community languages can have on children learning to read. It also brings to attention the challenges to access the tools to learn to read. Is it the chicken that comes before the egg?

Is it reading that comes before Literacy?

Science subjects have technical language that is taught in that context. The same for Maths, in fact each syllabus has language in the same context. Having the skill to read and make meaning from language allows students to learn.

There was a time when teaching reading was captured in the domain of infant and Primary teachers. The prevailing attitude that literacy is taught across the K-12 curriculum, reflects a deeper understanding of how children learn.

Reading is much more than a physical book, magazine or comic. Anything and everything are available to read and interact with is digital. The image of a child in bed, under the covers with a torch, reading a book has faded into memories of the past. Heads down, focus drawn into screen time is played out, not just under the blankets in bed.

How have you integrated digital tools into your practice?

Have you experimented with AI?

Reflecting on your practice can play an important role in professional growth.