Scottish Borders: Reading for Meaning
The main focus of the project from Scottish Borders was to raise attainment in P3-P5, moving children from levels A to B and B to C. The chosen focus stemmed from the success of the authority’s Early Intervention project.
Four teachers from four different primary schools across the authority began by reviewing current practice in the teaching of reading within their schools. Next they established a baseline position with regard to attainment levels within their classes. They then analysed the results and identified current strengths and areas for development.
Each teacher developed the project from a slightly different slant but kept within the parameters set by the project plan. The project aimed to:
raise attainment
develop the pupils’ response to reading
improve the pupils’ ability to gain meaning from text
improve the quality of feedback
build confidence and stamina.
The success of the project can be summed up as follows:
The project raised the profile of reading within the overall learning and teaching programme and within the children’s minds. There is evidence that there has been an improvement in the children’s attitude and interest in reading over the short period the project has been running.
Word file: Summary of evidence
Collegiality was a key feature of the project and was viewed by the participants as a particular strength. The teachers benefited from the opportunity to share ideas and good practice, from the freedom to carry out research within their classrooms and from the time to focus on developing their professional knowledge and skills.
It is the aim of the group to sustain the project within their next year’s classes, at the same stage next year and by sharing their practice with other colleagues.
The following PowerPoint files provide a detailed overview of the Reading for Meaning project:
PowerPoint file: Moving readers on from Level A to Level B
PowerPoint file: Accelerating the progress of readers from Level B to Level C