Development of
Text Sets (DTS)
for Enriching the School-based
English Language Curriculum
at the Primary Level
A Text Set…
• is a collection of materials, composed of
diverse resources on a specific subject matter,
genre, or theme
• can include information from online sources
or can be print-based
• offers materials at various reading levels
(adapted from Lent, 2012)
An Example of a Text Set
Supporting Texts
(Fiction/Non-fiction)
Core Text
Theme:
Healthy Eating
Concept:
You are what you eat
Focus Question:
What do we know about the
food we eat?
Online Resources
Catalogues
Textbooks
vs
Text Sets
Reasons for Teaching with Text Sets
Stimulate students’
curiosity and interest
in reading.
Enhance students’
exposure and literacy
development.
Promote inquiry based
learning.
Differentiate instruction
and assessment.
Design
authentic
and
challenging reading and
writing tasks that provide
opportunities for students
to develop and apply a
range of language skills, e.g.
reading, writing, listening,
speaking and viewing.
Empowering teachers
to take ownership of
their self-designed
English Programme.
Plan challenging tasks that
develop students’ skills to
analyse, interpret and
grasp ideas related to the
themes or issues and that
enable students to make
connections to their own
lives.
(based on Cappiello M.A. & Thulin Dawes E. (2013). Teaching with Text Sets, Shell Education)
DTS Project Objectives
• To develop cross-curricular themes
• To identify, adapt and design sets of diverse,
multi-modal and multi-genre texts of high quality
on selected themes
• To enhance students’ exposure and literacy
development
• To stimulate students’ curiosity and interest in
reading
• To design authentic literacy tasks, which enhance
student interest and learning
Theme:
The 100th Day
of School
(Primary 1)
Theme:
Animals
(Primary 1)
Theme:
Toys
(Primary 1)
Theme:
Getting Around
(Primary 2)
Theme:
Friends
(Primary 2 and 3)
Theme:
Healthy Eating
(Primary 3 and 4)
Theme:
Then and Now
(Primary 4)
Theme:
Eat Smart
(Primary 4 and 5)
Theme:
Friendship
(Primary 5 and 6)
Process for Planning a Text Set Unit
1.
Choose a theme
2.
Look for quality texts
3.
Analyse and organise the resources
4.
Planning and assessment
Sharing from…
St Paul’s Primary Catholic School
Seed School (2015/16)
Ms Jessie CHU
Seconded Teacher (2015/16)
DTS in St Paul’s Primary Catholic School
(2015/16)
Year
Levels
Primary 3
Primary 4
1st Term
Themes
Playing
Together
Then and
Now
2nd Term
Themes
Friendship
Eat Smart
Theme: Then and Now (P.4)
Key concept: Changes
Focus Question:
How do new devices change our lives?
Core Text
FINAL PRODUCT – PLAYSCRIPT
Teacher’s demonstration:
Set Goals for learning (KWL chart)
Pre-Test (Youtube video+ Kahoot Quiz)
Introducing the CORE TEXT
+ Reciprocal Reading:
Comparing the two versions
using Venn Diagram:
Reinforce and deepen
CONCEPT understandings
Would the house be happy
if the environment had
NOT been CHANGED?
Why?
Students SET GOALS for learning
KWL done by students
Final Product: Apply the CONCEPT +
use the knowledge about the chosen THEME
Encourage
Students to
Aim High!
Students become more CREATIVE!
(From student)
Clock / robot (same as Cinderella)
(for knowing when will the
stepmother be home so she can know
how to prepare her time)
Cinderella could do online
shopping and buy a new
dress easily…
(From student)
Gas stove
(for cooking faster)
(From student)
Mobile phone
(for shop some fancy,
delicate costumes or
clothing online and call
a gorgeous car)
Summary
Developing a school-based text sets means:
choosing an authentic theme that relates to students’
interest and experience;
using a variety of texts to motivate students’ learning;
engaging students in active learning with use of different
teaching approaches; and
designing more meaningful tasks that allow for more
authentic learning to occur.
Expectation
Schools that join DTS will:
allocate at least one hour per week for collaborative lesson
preparation for all project teachers;
allocate time in the scheme of work to complete at least
one text set during the school year;
attend DTS professional development workshops; and
support data collection, e.g. classroom observation, video
recordings of DTS lessons, interviewing students/teachers;
and sharing with other schools their experiences in
conducting the project.
Resources
A set of reading books for each theme will be provided
on a loan basis.
The books will be ordered based on the themes
developed by the project schools.
Project Proposal
Education Bureau Circular Memorandum No. 12/2016
Staff Interflow Schemes 2015
“Seed” Projects at Appendix A (12)
Application Form at Appendix B with Annexes 2 & 3 and
Appendix C
Project title: Development of Text Sets (DTS) for Enriching the School-
based English Language Curriculum at the Primary Level
Project code: NT0416
Name of CDI Section: NET Section
Deadline for Application:
9 March 2016
Sending in Your Proposal by Post
EDB Human Resources Management Unit at 4/F, East wing,
Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue,
Tamar, Hong Kong.
(Please specify “Application for Interflow” on the envelope.)