This page features resources were collected during my five-week placement, informed by classroom observations as well as discussions with my supervising teacher and other school colleagues.
Book Club Brochure
Classroom Bookshelf
This is the Scholastic Book Club brochure which was handed out to students at the start of term 2. The brochure showcases age-appropriate, varied titles, so students can find books that match their interests and reading levels. Teachers could use the brochure as a shared literacy tool by setting aside time for students to browse, discuss covers and blurbs, and explain why a book appeals to them.
This is the Year 3 classroom bookshelf which contains books from a variety of genres and authors including R.L. Stine (Goosebumps series), Elisabetta Dami (Geronimo Stiltion series), Roald Dahl, and J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter series). When students can browse independently and select books that suit their interests and reading level, reading feels less like a task and more like a choice. A diverse bookshelf allows students to compare stories, explore different perspectives, and see both reflections of their own lives and windows into the lives of others. This access makes engaging with literature an enjoyable and meaningful experience for students.
This is a screenshot a book called The Life Cycle of a Koala being read on Epic (a digital reading platform). During the class, students took turns reading different sections from the book and afterwards, the teacher used this mentor text to help students learn about information texts. Using the mentor text, students were able to identify the following features of an information text: diagrams, sub-titles, captions, headings, topics, facts, and paragraphs.
The Real World books are designed for older and struggling readers. They use only decodable regular words (according to the week by week progression) as well as heart words (common exception words). he books focus on STEM topics, with titles such as The Power of X-Rays, Birds and Beaks, and The History of Vaccines. My supervising teacher noted that these books help one of her struggling readers engage with literature because the topics are interesting and relevant.
Microsoft Teams Recording Tool
Cultural Celebrations
During an English lesson, my supervising teacher assigned students a task via Microsoft Teams that involved recording themselves reading a passage while the text was displayed on screen. The activity was highly engaging, and students appeared to enjoy the recording process. My supervising teacher noted that this task provided a valuable opportunity for students to become familiar with the recording tool before it is used later in the term to assess their reading fluency.
At my placement school, students who have recently celebrated a cultural holiday with their family are invited to give an in-class presentation. For instance, one student presented on Aluth Avurudhu, the Sri Lankan New Year observed on April 13th or 14th. They dressed in traditional attire, described family activities, and read two books aloud to the class about the festivities. This was a highly engaging way to make reading a joyful and culturally connected experience for all the students in the class.
Book Club Brochure 
Classroom Bookshelf 
Real World Non-Fiction Books 
Microsoft Teams Recording Tool 
Cultural Celebrations