Using the NSW Literacy continuum K-10

The course describes how to understand and use the NSW Literacy continuum K-10 as part of regular teaching practice in all subjects, to incorporate literacy to meet the needs of students. In particular, the course examines:

literacy as part of the broad continuum of learning
the structure and features of the NSW Literacy continuum K-10
ways that literacy considerations can be incorporated into effective teaching in each subject.

Summary of course requirements
Tab/Mini-tab	Indicative time	Description	Activities and deliverable
Overview	10 minutes	Orientate yourself to the course and the resources.	Read through each section in the Overview. Download required documents.
Literacy Defining literacy	40 minutes	Situate literacy in the Australian educational context.	Activity 1a Purposes for literacy Activity 1b Modes of communication
Literacy Literacy in the syllabuses	40 minutes	Situate literacy in the NSW syllabuses.	Activity 2 Literacy in the syllabuses
Literacy as a continuum A continuum of learning	60 minutes	Establish connections between student development, academic progress and literacy.	Activity 3 The NSW Literacy continuum K-10 in the progress of learning Activity 4 The Overview
Literacy as a continuum NSW Literacy continuum K-10	30 minutes	Focus on one sample student’s areas of strengths and weaknesses to inform planning.	Activity 5 Building literacy strength, a close study Optional activity Three teachers talk about the teaching of literacy
Literacy continuum in practice Teacher applications	20 minutes 90 minutes writing and review	Become familiar with the range of programs and packages informed by the NSW Literacy continuum K-10.	Activity 6 Continuum close-up (Reading) Course deliverable Trial of a teaching idea activity
Wrap up	10 minutes	Apply new learning to school context. Consolidate course requirements.	Reflections Complete a series of reflective questions Checklist Ensure you have completed all requirements Follow-up optional activity The literacy matrix

Using the NSW Literacy continuum K-10 (MyPL@EDU¹ course code RG00304) is registered professional development under the terms of BOSTES NSW Continuing Professional Development policy².

This course will contribute 5 hours of QTC Registered PD addressing 1.5.2, 2.5.2, 3.2.2, and 6.3.2 from the Professional Standards for Teachers³ towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

The following table details how the course Using the NSW Literacy continuum K-10 addresses
Standard/Descriptor	Description of course content and how it addresses the Standard/Descriptor
Standard 1: Know students and how they learn Descriptor 1.5.2 Develop teaching activities that incorporate differentiated strategies to meet the specific learning needs of students across the full range of abilities.	Participants will apply knowledge of how students learn, their own students’ needs and the NSW Literacy continuum K-10 to develop and trial a teaching idea, as a strategy, lesson, a series of lessons or a unit of learning.
Standard 2: Know the content and how to teach it Descriptor 2.5.2 Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement.	Participants will apply knowledge of the purpose, structure and content of the NSW Literacy continuum K-10 to syllabus content and text-based activities.
Standard 3: Plan and implement effective teaching and learning Descriptor 3.2.2 Plan and implement well-structured learning and teaching programs or lesson sequences that engage students and promote learning.	Participants will plan, use and review a learning and teaching program which utilises teacher literacy and syllabus knowledge and understandings, and contextualises literacy learning.
Standard 6: Engage in professional learning Descriptor 6.3.2 Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice.	Participants will: engage in discussion, activities, reflection and key questions designed to strengthen understanding of how the NSW Literacy continuum K-10 can be used to guide teaching and learning based on the needs of students complete the course deliverable, applying up to date knowledge and practice to improve student learning.

The Department of Education is a BOSTES⁴ endorsed provider of professional development for the maintenance of accreditation at Proficient.

In order for teachers accredited at Proficient to have these hours added to their professional learning log at BOSTES⁴, the following steps must be taken.

Schedule this course as an event for your school

Advise your principal/supervisor of your intention to enrol and discuss the course requirements.
The principal/supervisor will schedule this course as an event for teachers at your school through MyPL@EDU¹.

Enrol as a participant in the event

Complete the enrolment procedures in MyPL@EDU¹.
Enrolment status is confirmed by the Deliverer.
Notification is sent to you, your principal and the school email.

Completion of the course

Discuss/explain/demonstrate your participation and meeting assessment requirements with your supervisor/principal.
Complete all course and assessment activities as described in the CTP course.
The school Deliverer changes your status to 'completed' under the course participation tab in MyPL@EDU¹. This information automatically generates your record of completion to the BOSTES.
You are encouraged to complete the evaluation form in the CTP course.

Login to your BOSTES account

Allow at least 10 working days for your details to be forwarded to the BOSTES. You can then login to your account⁵ on the BOSTES website to register your participation and complete the BOSTES evaluation of this course within 3 months of completion.

For help using MyPL@EDU, see the following:

For further information, please contact:

Literacy Advisor K-6 (02) 9244 5736
Literacy Advisor 7-12 (02) 9266 8406

This course links directly with the principles of learning design and differentiation used in NSW syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum⁸.

Create a new folder for this course on your computer.
Download and save the Activity booklet from the Course materials.
Remember to back up regularly.

You’ll need to work your way across the tab headings above, left to right. Complete all activities before attempting the course deliverable.

Review advice and resources on the NSW syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum⁹ page which is accessible through the DoE Portal. For subjects that may not yet have a NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum, refer to the Syllabuses¹⁰ page on the website.
Download the complete Activity booklet with all the activities as a PDF or Word document. Save this file and add to it as you work through the course.
Back up regularly so you don’t lose your work.

These icons indicate the various types of activity in this course

Read a document

A deliverable

Watch a video

Collaborate with colleagues

Online activity/download

Internet link/reference

Support materials

Quality Teaching resources - Classroom practice resources¹¹ and Assessment resources¹²
Gifted and talented policy support¹³
Quality teaching in NSW public schools – A classroom practice guide¹⁴

You’ll need a copy of the NSW Literacy continuum K-6 and NSW Literacy continuum 7-10 posters.

All other resources (including course materials for printing) can be found in the Literacy and Numeracy continuums support¹⁵

Course materials for printing:

Course completion checklist

The Course completion checklist is in the front of the Activity booklet. Use it to help ensure all course activities are completed. It requires your supervisor to check and sign off on work completed in order for you to gain accreditation in the course.

Activity booklet

The Activity booklet (.docx 3MB) contains all of the activity sheets in this course. Use it to work through the course.

You will also need to access:

The course deliverable can be found in the ‘Literacy continuum in practice’ tab. Click on the ‘teacher applications’ tab.

It’s recommended that you identify your school’s understanding and use of the NSW Literacy continuum K-10 using the Literacy matrix, at the NSW DoE literacy support website¹⁸. Consider ways to move to the next level of engagement with the continuum.

Support materials

Course materials for printing:

Course completion checklist

Activity booklet

Links