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Start Implementing PLD Within Term 4

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Although it may be considered superfluous to launch a new SSP program within Term 4, it really has its advantages. Staff will be able to familiarise themselves with PLD’s screening and tracking process, teaching sequences and downloadable manuals. They will also be prepared to begin the following school year equipped with resources and the knowledge and confidence to implement SSP straight away in Week 1 of Term 1. This article outlines how to begin implementing PLD within Term 4.

PLD implementation can be launched at any stage within the school year. For other implementation plans please see:

Pupil Free (Dec / Jan)
Start in Term 1
Start in Term 2
Start in Term 3

Step 1: Register for & set up the PLD Tracking Sheets.

  • Click here to register for the PLD Tracking Sheets.
  • Set up the classes for the 2022 school year. For example, rename the tabs to denote year levels and class names ie Yr 1 Room 9, Yr 3 LA4, Yr 6J, etc and enter the class list (student names) in the correct columns (this could be done by admin staff).
  • It is necessary to “hide” the previous term’s columns as per the videos in Step 4.

Step 2: Teachers and Education Assistants need to view at least two hours of the relevant online course.

For some schools, this will occur in the Term 4 pupil free day. For other schools, this will likely occur during staff meetings. The online courses outline PLD’s implementation in primary schools. Below are quick links to the relevant courses.

Step 3: The participating classes will need to administer and mark the relevant screens.

Early Years 

These screens are located in the Early Years Screening & Tracking Manual.

  • Screen students using the following subtests in the Early Years Pre-Literacy Screen on pages 14 & 15:
    • Subtest 3 Blending Three Phonemes
    • Subtest 4a Alphabet Sound Recognition.
    • Subtest 5a Alphabet Sound Recall & Formation.
  • Screen students who scored below 80% in these subtests using Subtests 1 and 2.
  • Mark the screens. Be sure to note any Negative Observations (a checklist is on the screening template).

Foundation 

These screens are located within the Foundation Screening & Tracking Manual.

  • Administer the Term 3 Foundation Spelling Screen on page 25 in a small group setting. Students at a pre-CVC level require screening using the Foundation Pre-Spelling Screen on page 23.
  • Administer the Foundation Early Reading Screen (Exercises 1-3) on page 16. For those unable to read, present the Foundation Pre-Reading Screen on page 13.
  • Mark the screens.

Year 1 & 2

These screens are located within the Year 1 & 2 Screening & Tracking Manual.

  • Administer the End of Term 3 Spelling Placement Screen on page 12.
  • For students unable to spell CVC words (or those who score 0-20% in Stage 1 Target 1) present the Difficulty Acquiring Stage 1 screen on page 28.
  • OPTIONAL: Administer the Year 1 & 2 Early Reading Screen on page 16 to all Year 1 students and those Year 2 students still spelling within PLD Stages 1 and 2 .
  • Mark the screens.

Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 

These screens are located within the Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Screening & Tracking Manual.

  • Administer the End of Term 3 Spelling Placement Screen on page 15.
  • For students unable to spell CVC words (or those who score 0-20% in Stage 1 Target 1) present the Difficulty Acquiring Stage 1 screen on page 28.
  • OPTIONAL: For the students still working within PLD’s Stages 1 and 2 for spelling (or with delayed reading), administer the Early Reading Screen for Middle & Upper Primary Students on page 23.
  • Mark the screens.

Step 4: Two short videos to be viewed by all teachers prior to, or immediately after, entering results into the tracking sheets.

All Class Teachers to Watch

Early Years Teachers Also Watch

Foundation Teachers Also Watch

Year 1 & 2 Teachers Also Watch

Year 3, 4, 5 & 6 Teachers Also Watch

After viewing the two relevant videos above, all teachers will then:

  • Enter the test scores into the PLD Tracking Sheets.
  • Arrange their class into three targeted teaching groups.
  • Assign a Learning Focus for each group for the term ahead.

Step 5: Once teachers have established a teaching plan for term ahead by arranging the class into three targeted teaching groups, support & coaching from PLD can be given.

When the student results have been entered into the tracking sheets following the first round of screening, the School Leader (ie Literacy Coordinator, Deputy Principal, Head of Curriculum etc) can request support through this link: https://pld-literacy.org/request-for-support-with-pld-tracking-sheets/.

It is highly recommended that the school-wide tracking document be shared in a “cloud” format through the School’s IT staff. Click here to see why.

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