Knowing Your Learners - Teacher Workbook

 My initial reaction to the teachers workbook was one of awe. A one stop shop for all your data! It is easy to navigate despite it's overwhelming intial appearance. 

The beauty of the workbook is that the information is avaiable quickly and has all my learners information at hand so seeing where nextsteps is appreciably easier.

A quick scan of the results of running records highlighted some easy next steps for the Ruru group.

A quick scan of the PAT test results drew another picture of these students, so I have hightlighted their year level, green for those above based on PAT results, those just at are white, and those just below are orange. Interestingly all learners had the same issue when completing a running record, assessment despite their PAT results. 

When answering questions in the running record they used general knowledge rather than text specific knowledge to answer questions.  I developed a learning intention around this. However when working with the group I quickly discovered that, although able readers, they did not know what a question was, or how to form one. As a result in group time we have had to back track over question starters, and differentiating between a question and a statement. I will be able to measure success with the hand in tasks that asks them to design four questions related to an excerpt from the text. 

It is my goal by the end of the week that they all can ask a question related to the text and provide a text specific answer. I realise that this skill will need to be revisited for at least next term to become habitual. 

My concern is if they continue to read without being able to ask and answer questions about text providing text specific answers it will impact on their ability to become good critical consumers of information.

I can see that I have set a higher expectation for my learners.