Primary English Teaching Association Australia (PETAA)

How do students learn to analyse not just information in a text, but the perspective it presents?

PETAA’s Year 5 curriculum unit based on Extreme Animal Facts by Jennifer Cossins supports explicit teaching of how evidence, author intent and language choices shape point of view.

Integrating learning across English, Science and Geography, the unit guides students to examine informative and persuasive techniques before constructing their own evidence-based argument.

Available to PETAA members via petaa.edu.au → Resources for teachers, supporting literature-rich, curriculum-aligned classroom practice.

A mentor text is a piece of quality literature used as a model to demonstrate effective reading and writing skills.

When students have texts as mentors, they begin to read like writers. And when it comes to their writing, everything changes.

"You can enhance or destroy students' desire to succeed in school more quickly and permanently through your use of assessment than with any other tools you have at your disposal." - Stiggins, 2001

Save this post, or drop a comment if you'd like to get a copy of each slide for planning. For more support with effective English and literacy assessment, head to the PETAA website > Resources > For Teachers.

Explicitly teaching and modelling the expected behaviours of routines helps to free up students’ working memory to focus on learning (AERO, 2024).

When students know exactly what is expected and exactly what to do at certain times during instruction, they have more working memory available to focus on learning new information.

The use of instructional routines in our classrooms means that students won’t waste time looking for materials, or partners, or asking the question “What are we doing?”. Knowing where they should be and what they should be doing supports optimal cognitive load.

Planning for routines is important. Decisions about resources to be used and where to store them need to be made.

Do we want to have the resources set out before students enter the room? Do we want to have students get their own when they are needed? What access is required? How can we support students to gather materials within optimal time limits? Likewise, for packing away, what will work best for both students and teacher? How can we minimise distractions during transitions?

The more teaching time we have available, the more learning time for students!

From early childhood, children begin to form their understanding of empathy, communication, and the importance of healthy, positive relationships.

This guide supports parents and carers in nurturing these essential skills at home, using age-appropriate books and practical discussion points. Drawing from the federal Respectful Relationships initiative, which empowers schools and communities to foster equality, respect, and resilience, this resource offers a curated selection of literature and activities designed to help your child build meaningful connections.

Whether you're reading together at home or discussing themes throughout daily life, the books and strategies here will help strengthen your child’s understanding of respect, responsibility, and kindness.

Each book is paired with guiding questions to spark thoughtful discussions and help your child reflect on important values such as empathy, conflict resolution, and understanding others. These questions are designed to encourage meaningful conversations that support the development of emotional intelligence, communication skills, and positive social behaviour.

Find it now at the PETAA website. Just head to Resources > For Parents.

Teachers have a central role in helping students develop their language use, increasing their capacity to interact with a widening audience for an increasing number of purposes. This breakdown gives a quick overview of oral language and how it develops.

Save this post, or drop a comment if you'd like to get a copy of each slide for planning. For more on this topic, visit the PETAA website: Teaching English > Oral language.

Tune in with your students to hear from award-winning author Corey Tutt OAM, known for his passion for science, storytelling and authentic representation for young readers. This author talk is free for members, but RSVPs are essential!

PETAA’s new online course, Gradual Release of Responsibility in the Literacy Classroom, unpacks:
• The research and key principles underpinning the model
• What effective modelling, shared practice, guided learning and independence look and sound like
• How to design literacy lessons that deliberately move through phases of responsibility
• How assessment and observation inform when learners are ready for greater independence
• How GRR applies across reading, writing, speaking and listening

Designed for classroom teachers F–6, literacy leaders and school leaders, this 3-hour course supports practical application, not just theoretical understanding.

Participants receive 365 days of access from enrolment. For PL Subscription members, this course is included in membership. Explore the course via PETAA > Professional Learning.

Which texts should we use to teach fluency? A quick guide you can save!

At PETAA, we love to share quality children's texts with our community. Here are some quick lesson ideas to help you bring Saskia Spark-Lee: Fundraising Fail into the classroom!

Save this post, or drop a comment if you'd like to get a copy of each slide for planning. For more support teaching with rich texts, including full curriculum units of work, head to the PETAA website > Resources > For Teachers.