PLD Promoting Literacy Development

Build confident early readers with PLD’s award-winning decodable books!

Written by speech pathologists and aligned with the Australian Curriculum (V9), the series follows a structured phonics sequence from simple CVC words to more complex patterns, supporting measurable early literacy progress.

Highlights include:
• Foundation series (Sets 1–7): Recognised with the 2025 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award – featuring engaging stories, targeted oral language practice, and authentic Australian photography.
• Year 1 (Sets 7–10): Sequenced reading pathway to consolidate skills and build fluency.
• Year 2: Decodable chapter books that bridge the gap to longer texts and sustained reading success – now available for pre-order.

Explore PLD’s full range of decodable books at https://pld-literacy.org/decodable-reading-books-landing/

Exciting news! PLD's Year 1 Decodable Reading Books have been shortlisted in the 2026 Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Awards. Thank you to Speech Pathology Australia for celebrating books that support children's language and literacy development. We're honoured to be among this year's shortlisted titles.

Give your whole school a consistent, evidence-based approach to literacy.

PLD’s Whole School Literacy Plan is an essential resource for leadership teams and teaching staff.

What’s included
• F–6 lesson block outlines for Integrated SSP Kits and Starter Packs
• QR codes linking to quick demo videos for easy reference

Perfect for staff meetings, planning days or ongoing support, this plan ensures every teacher can deliver literacy instruction with confidence and fidelity.

Download the plan: https://pld-literacy.org/about/whole-school-literacy-strategy

Request a printed version: https://pld-literacy.org/whole-school-literacy-plan-request-form/

Literacy expert Dr. Timothy Shanahan recently tackled a key question for primary educators: what does a “phonics first” or “phonics only” approach really mean in practice?

He stresses that decoding, phonics, and phonemic awareness are essential, but warns against approaches that focus solely on code-breaking at the expense of meaning. Effective reading instruction balances phonics with vocabulary, comprehension, fluency and writing from the start.

Dr Shanahan recommends dedicating structured time to each component, including a daily block for structured phonics, so students build strong foundational skills while engaging with rich, meaningful texts.

His message is clear: strong literacy instruction balances decoding skills with rich language and comprehension experiences.

How do you structure your literacy block to ensure all components are covered effectively in your classroom? Let us know in the comments.

Source:https://www.nomanis.com.au/hubfs/Nomanis%20Edition%2020/Issue20_Article1_Shanahan.pdf

In this new video, we walk through how to use PLD’s tracking processes to support the allocation of Decodable Reading Books. PLD recommends using screening and tracking data to guide book selection, helping students practise the phonics skills they are learning in class through appropriately matched decodable texts.

Developed by speech pathologists and aligned with a Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) approach and the Science of Reading, PLD’s award-winning Decodable Reading Books support students to build confidence, accuracy and independence as they learn to read.

Watch now: https://youtu.be/Upv7Ot5fEWc

Learn more: https://pld-literacy.org/decodables

Looking for practical literacy resources you can use in your classroom today?

PLD’s Free Literacy Resources collection brings together a range of evidence-based tools designed to support structured literacy instruction and strengthen home–school connections.

You’ll find:
• Phonics support materials to reinforce structured literacy instruction
• Developmental milestone checklists to support early identification and tracking
• Parent-friendly videos to strengthen home–school connections
• Ready-to-use PDFs designed to save planning time and support consistent practice

These resources are practical, accessible and easy to implement, helping teachers deliver effective literacy instruction with minimal preparation.

Explore the free resources at
https://pld-literacy.org/freeresources/

Why not tag a colleague who may find these useful?

Effective Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) implementation relies on timely, consistent tracking. Completing your tracking sheets at key points in the term provides valuable insight into student progress and supports confident, targeted teaching.

Recommended timing
• Early Years & Foundation: Mid-term or end of term
• Year 1–6: Week 10 of each term, during school holidays, or Week 1 of the new term

Regularly updating tracking sheets helps identify student needs early, adjust groups efficiently, and maintain teaching momentum throughout the year.

Need support? Our School Support Coordinators are available to assist – simply submit your tracking sheets for guidance.

We also recommend watching our tutorial videos to save time on class prep, screenings and data entry.

Access the resources and optimise your tracking process at
https://pld-literacy.org/plds-tracking-sheets/

Are your spelling lists driving learning – or just encouraging memorisation?

Many educators implementing Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) find students can pass weekly spelling tests, yet struggle to retain or apply those words in real reading and writing tasks. Often, the issue isn’t the teaching strategy, but how the word lists are designed.

When spelling lists are built around unrelated, theme-based words, students rely on visual memorisation rather than developing strong phoneme–grapheme connections and orthographic mapping.

At PLD, we advocate for structured, systematic word lists that focus on one phonics concept at a time. This helps students recognise patterns, strengthen retention, and confidently transfer their knowledge into reading and spelling.

It’s not about abandoning strategies like “Look, Cover, Say, Write, Check” – rather, it’s about applying them with carefully sequenced, phonics-aligned content.

Read the full blog to learn how small changes to your spelling lists can make a big difference:
https://pld-literacy.org/dont-ditch-the-method-fix-the-lists/

Effective literacy instruction starts with practical, evidence-based support.

PLD’s online Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP) courses make professional learning flexible, practical, and immediately applicable in the classroom.

Whether you’re building foundational knowledge or refining your teaching practice, these courses help educators connect reading research with explicit strategies that improve literacy outcomes.

What you’ll gain
• On-demand, research-aligned literacy training
• Short, manageable modules that fit your schedule
• 90-day access to revisit content anytime
• A certificate of completion to add to your professional development records

Build confidence in evidence-based literacy instruction and foster stronger outcomes for every learner.

Explore courses and register at
https://pld-literacy.org/professional-learning-delivered-online/

Strong literacy outcomes begin with strong teaching.

Evidence-based instruction has the greatest impact when teachers understand both the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ of Structured Synthetic Phonics (SSP).

It’s not just about having the right resources – it’s about understanding how phonemic awareness, decoding and spelling instruction work together to build successful readers and writers.

PLD professional learning helps educators deliver clear, practical and effective literacy instruction in the classroom.

Why educators choose PLD Seminars
• Build confidence in delivering SSP
• Strengthen whole-school consistency
• Gain practical strategies grounded in the Science of Reading

Choose the option that best fits your schedule
• One- and two-day seminars
• After-school sessions (over 5 weeks)
• Online and in-person training

Explore upcoming seminars at
https://pld-literacy.org/australia-wide-professional-development-seminars/