Ready to Read Webinar

After school yesterday I attended an online Webinar. I found it really great as I was able to develop more knowledge on the Ready to Read series and the new revised books. It was perfect as these changes are aimed at the books that I use with my class and also gave me information on different ways and tools I can use with the current books.

The new Ready to Read website is great and easy to use/follow.

The image below shoes the format of our new Ready to Read books:

The speakers talked about the new changes to Magenta: one level, more repetition and help move children to red quicker. One note they made was not to start guided reading until students have an understanding of texts - I usually start my students straight away on magenta and spend 1:1 teaching understandings. She explained that there is magenta and Ready to Read Magenta - its is better to start off with older books either PM or old Ready to Read magenta.

They also placed the emphasis on introducing the texts and helping children make connection - shouldn't be the whole book just enough for them to understand the key ideas. Using less chunking of the book and just letting students read. Then going back and revisiting texts.

The speaker showed the image below:

She explained the importance of integrating all sources of information. Which I completely agree with - it is so important that they are taught all these sources so they can use the information effortlessly and unconsciously.

Shared reading
The speaker explained the changes to some of the shared books and that some were made shared as they were to hard for guided reading groups.

Below is a great wee article that they shared about shared reading. Well worth a read!
http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/Articles/Article.aspx?ArticleId=8492&Title=Primary