The Foundation school year is one of the most important years of schooling. This is the year that students learn to read, spell and write. This page provides Foundation teachers with a step by step guide to using PLD in the classroom.
Within this page, the most commonly asked questions – What to teach? When to teach? How to cater for the range in ability? What to screen? When to screen? How to screen? How to report on the data collected?– have been answered along with an outline of PLD’s evidence-based programs and parent education resources.
Successfully Implementing PLD’s approach in a Foundation classroom involves:
Utilising the Essential Teaching, Screening & Tracking Implementation Manuals.
Professional Development on the PLD Approach.
Access to Evidence-Based Programs.
A Commitment to Consistent Student Screening & Tracking.
Step 1: Download the Essential Teaching, Screening & Tracking Manuals
PLD have created downloadable implementation manuals that will assist with a step-by-step, term-by-term process. The resources underpin both the PLD’s Teaching and Screening & Tracking process.
What to teach? When to teach? How to cater for the range in ability? Download the Foundation Teaching Sequence Manual which extensively outlines Literacy, Oral Language and Movement & Motor teaching and learning outcomes.
What to screen? When to screen? How to screen? and How to report on the data? Download the Foundation Screening & Tracking Manual. Each manual outlines detailed instructions, the materials required, time allocations and discontinue rules.
Parent Education Downloads contain developmental milestones, information sheets, reference guides and links to the parent education videos for each Semester. PLD believes the best literacy outcomes are achieved when school and home work together.
Step 2: Professional Development for Foundation Teachers
Classroom teachers should begin by enrolling in professional development. Whether new to PLD this year, requiring a refresher (if the last training was 3+ years) or changing year levels we have listed out the options below.
If PLD Foundation professional development has been completed within the last three years, jump ahead to Step 3.
Step 3: Essential Resources for Effective Implementation
PLD’s titles are based on international research, independently assessed by third parties and constantly updated as new research becomes available. PLD’s evidence-based programs are available in Starter Packs. Each Starter Pack contains a 15% discount. These recommended programs are essential to the successful implementation of the ‘Teaching Sequences’ outlined in the Foundation Teaching Sequence Manual.
Unsure what PLD programs the school already has or are needed? Print off the Foundation resource checklist. This form can be used to establish current titles in the school but also to identify essential titles required for each classroom.
Step 4: Use the PLD Tracking Sheets in the Foundation
The downloadable PLD Tracking Sheets are central to PLD’s approach. The sheets link the Foundation Teaching Sequence Manual with the Foundation Screening & Tracking Manual. Through mid and end of term progress checks, children’s abilities are plotted onto the Tracking Sheets, creating three groups, which form the basis of the targeted teaching. This process enables the classroom teacher to report on skill development of the class and simultaneously to establish an implementation plan.
Get Ready to Use the PLD Tracking Sheets in a Classroom Setting
Register for and download the PLD Tracking Sheets HERE. Note: For whole-school implementation, this should already be completed by a school leader or admin.
Watch Diana Rigg Explain How to Enter and Report on Classroom Screening
How to Screen & Track with PLD
1: Screen the Students in the Class
Within each term, conduct targeted teaching and screening. The screening reviews student phonological awareness and alphabet knowledge which will impact later reading and spelling development. Scores are entered into the Tracking Sheets.
2: Enter the results into the PLD Tracking Sheets
The results from each round of screening will need to be entered into the PLD Tracking Sheets. To assist with entering the data, refer to the Foundation Screening & Tracking Manual which comprehensively outlines PLD’s Screening & Tracking process.
Using the Tracking Sheets effectively requires confidence with three key spreadsheet skills. If required, PLD have provided assistance with these functions in the training video below.
3: Cluster the Class into Three Targeted Teaching Groups
Rather than arranging students in alphabetical order, establish a targeted implementation plan in which high performing, average and delayed students are grouped together to create three teaching groups.
This four-step process should enable Foundation teachers to implement effective Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) within their classes. This will contribute towards Foundation students achieving a positive start to their schooling.
If you have a question about implementing PLD or any of the steps listed above, please don’t hesitate to get in touch through our online chat in the bottom right corner of this screen. We are always happy to help.
Non Fiction Group Reading Books Set 2 (CVC, CCVC & CVCC) – Foundation Semester 2
$485.00
