8th May 2026 – Term 2
Day 4: Small Group Reading (Comprehension)

Today's session began with a recap of the previous lesson on text coverage. I have banks of books for my different groups now. I am adding using different genres and using themed bases.

The focus today was on how we are moving forward with small group reading and encouraging students to generate their own questions while engaging with a text. In the new English curriculum, Te Mātaiaho, there is an emphasis on explicit teaching, sequential approaches, deliberate planning, shared and buddy reading, and the importance of strategic actions when processing complex texts. Preloading vocabulary and concepts is also essential.

I am using modelling books to record learning intentions, success criteria, students’ responses, unknown vocabulary, and group discussions. This serves as a valuable tool for learners to refer back to. There was a great disussion on this today and how to use e-modelling book. 

It was a great session introducing texts and their purposes using a structured cycle.

It is important to build students’ background knowledge by using pictures, images, videos, and oral discussion, as well as identifying key vocabulary from the text. Making vocabulary visible through word cards and encouraging predictions using illustrations helps make reading more engaging and memorable. Very interesting!

Running Records

It is helpful to know that we can use any texts to analyse what learners can and cannot read by identifying reading patterns. Take away is the fluency scale as this gives the progression as well asking the learners to assess their reading. 

I found the Rob and Wiseman and Ragtags methods useful as well for demonstrating fluency to learners.

My reflection on running records is that I need to focus more on encouraging self-correction in my learners.

There was an in-depth discussion about fluency learning what we observe as teachers when a learner reads aloud. Using a fluency scale is a great tool to inform and track student progress.

I will introduce  rewatchable videos allows learners to self-reflect. It helps them build awareness of their own learning as they rate their own reading and that of their peers.

For learning discussions, I want learners to justify, explain, and articulate their understanding of the text to strengthen their oral language skills. I will also use self-assessment slides with my class that was shared in the session today.

Response to Text – Follow-Up Activities

There are many ways to assess comprehension. I will continue using the samples provided in the session and include videos in the task board before reading sessions to support understanding. The importance of asking questions were specific and sequenced that I will start using in my class.

In order for me to understand my learners progress

The session was interesting. Thanks Team!