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PLD recommends commencing explicit SSP instruction as early as possible in Term 1.  Some schools new to implementing PLD used a pupil-free day at the end of the previous year, or the beginning of this new school year, to review handover screening whilst watching the online courses.  However, there will be other schools who are […]

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To inspire and focus teachers for the term ahead, be sure to view and forward these short refresher clips. The clips provide concise, relevant, and actionable tips for effective PLD implementation within the classroom. In these succinct videos, we also explain how to cater to the range in student ability by using screening and tracking […]

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PLD are often asked to provide support and feedback on tracking sheets.  As this is a complimentary service, and one that we are happy to provide to schools implementing PLD, we ask that tracking sheets be sent through in the recommended format.  PLD receives hundreds of queries, requests, and calls for support and if every […]

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Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 Australian Educational Publishing Awards were held online in September. Celebrating its 28th year, the awards evening brought together publishers to acknowledge excellence and award businesses going above and beyond for the advancement of students. Organised by the Australian Publishers Association, the prestigious annual Educational Publishing Awards reward excellence and […]

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For students to develop strong literacy skills in the junior primary years, they need accurate and fluent vocabulary, comprehension and oral language skills. The most effective way to teach these skills to students is through the explicit teaching method called “systematic synthetic phonics”.  The short, 7-minute UK Phonics check, is a helpful screen test that […]

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Research repeatedly explains that it is essential to get it right when students are first learning to read. The bleak reality is that once children start to fall behind their peers, even with special funding and programs, it is difficult for many to catch up. With this in mind, this blog is devoted to early reading. All […]

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PLD is working to preserve Indigenous languages through the creation of region specific resources. For over 10 years, PLD  has worked with a range of Indigenous communities for over ten years, including developing a range of online courses to support the literacy requirements of Indigenous communities. You can read more about PLD’s work within remote […]

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Regarding tracking early reading and spelling progress from 5 years. With the changes in the National Curriculum, Foundation students (that is, Kindergarten NSW/ACT, Preparatory QLD/VIC/TAS, Pre-Primary WA, Reception SA and Transition NT), need to acquire early reading, spelling and writing skills.  This is new territory for the educators operating within this ‘Foundation’ phase of literacy […]

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Speech Pathology Week is here and director of PLD Literacy & Learning, Diana Rigg highlights the role of speech pathologists in schools in order to facilitate increased literacy outcomes. PLD has regularly stressed the way forward for literacy education in primary school is for speech pathology to have a larger involvement within schools. Researchers have […]

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In the recent WA Education Department report, which highlighted the success of PLD literacy programs, Louden asked the question  – what do high performing primary schools have in common. Louden’s research reported that seven of the nine high performing schools had adopted what the researcher referred to as ‘lower variation teaching’. Lower variation teaching is […]

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During April and May 2015, Emeritus Professor Bill Louden investigated and prepared a case study report on the school operations and pedagogical practices in place in nine high performing primary schools as measured by NAPLAN. The intention of the investigation was to inform the Department of Education’s understanding of the conditions required for a school […]

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Look-Cover-Say-Write-Check is a great strategy for children learning to spell. In this PLD insight, Diana Rigg discusses how to gain the maximum benefit from this technique. The video demonstrates how to slow down and focus children on the process. You can download this poster HERE. Print the poster to display in your classroom or as […]

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In this PLD Literacy and Learning Insight, Diana Rigg discusses the use of technology by our children, how much technology time. Following a thought-provoking article released in the West Australian Newspaper, communicating Telstra’s recent research on smartphone use in 3-17-year-olds, Diana Rigg discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by the proliferation and widespread adoption of technology […]

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Following on from our previous popular post on Teaching Spelling in Junior Primary is this new post on applying the concepts to Middle and Upper Primary. So welcome again to another PLD Literacy and Learning Insight.  These short 5 minute videos are designed to assist the teaching of Literacy Development. Today’s Teaching Tip is about […]

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Welcome to another PLD Literacy and Learning Insight – short 5 minute videos designed to assist the teaching of Literacy Development principles.   Today’s Teaching Tip is about Teaching Spelling in Junior Primary and specifically. How to slow children down to ‘sound-out’ as they spell and write. Spelling is more difficult than reading. It is relatively […]

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The Junior Primary Spelling Activities resource is intended to provide a definition of synthetic phonics and related skills, an understanding of the importance of synthetic phonics, and practical suggestions for how to teach synthetic phonics within the classroom.