Queechy Alliance

Queechy Alliance Middle Years Literacy Project 2018-2020

Interactive Read-Alouds

“By Interactive Read Aloud we mean that the teacher reads aloud to the students, but both the teacher and the student think aloud, talk aloud and respond to the text. Both the reader and the listeners are active.” (2006, Fountas and Pinnell).

All Queechy Alliance (QA) schools have completed two professional learning (PL) sessions on Interactive Read Alouds this term. Agreed key messages are always at the forefront of our minds when developing PL to ensure shared understanding across the schools. Staff had the opportunity to plan for and trial their own interactive read aloud in their classroom, with time to reflect on their practice for future teaching and learning purposes. Staff were prompted to identify the differences between Interactive Read Alouds and Shared Reading before considering possible strategies to deepen and extend student thinking and understanding. Two of our staff, Angela Dykman (Literacy Coach/ AST at Punchbowl Primary) and Ann-Marie McKendrick (AST at Queechy High School) volunteered to be filmed completing an Interactive Read-Aloud in authentic classroom contexts. These became examples of practice for our PLs and we thank them very much for their openness and courage.

Instructional Model

The Instructional Model (IM) will be a continual focus for the QA to improve teacher practice and student learning. Although individual schools are at varying points on the journey of implementation and practice, we all aspire to be using the QA IM during lessons as a framework to ensure consistency in teaching across our seven schools. High leverage reading strategies will be used as the content to allow teachers opportunities to embed the IM into their practice.

Beyond 2020

Next term will see the end of the funding for the Middle Years Literacy Project. The Board of Principals acknowledge the importance of working collectively, our achievements so far and opportunities for growth into the future. Priorities for sustainability have started, including the documentation of shared commitments and a draft Strategic Plan beyond 2020.  More information will be shared as it becomes available.

If you have any questions or queries about the MYLP please contact your In-School Leader.

Norwood – Zoe Marshall

Belinda Simpson

QA MYLP Coordinator