Harry Hood - Literacy Professional Development

A very useful and informative day.  Things I will specifically take away with me...

1. Audience & Purpose are key
   
2. pre-writing | drafting | revising | proof-reading | editing [NOTE: TEACHER EDITS AT FINAL STAGE - focus of student's writing goes from deeper to surface, that is meaning to mechanics]
   
3. Guided reading not designed to drive up reading age (recreational reading does that).  Year 5-6 students, focus is on developing skills in critical thinking and exploring language.  Therefore they need to be reading text they can already read (ie. just below current reading 'age').
   
4. Reading contracts for upper reading groups to 'free up' time to spend with lower readers daily.
   
5. Newsboard, Target box (see personal PD notes)