The current notion of disciplinary literacy can be traced to a series of articles and books that emerged in the mid-to-late 2000s (T. Shanahan & Shanahan, 2008; Moje, 2007, 2008; McConachie & Petrosky, 2010). These researchers identified the need for increased attention to how teachers can build literacy capacity in their students while also more effectively teaching the content and thinking patterns of the discipline.

The current notion of disciplinary literacy can be traced to a series of articles and books that emerged in the mid-to-late 2000s (T. Shanahan & Shanahan, 2008; Moje, 2007, 2008; McConachie & Petrosky, 2010). These researchers identified the need for increased attention to how teachers can build literacy capacity in their students while also more effectively teaching the content and thinking patterns of the discipline.

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This article emphasises the importance of tailoring literacy instruction to specific disciplines rather than adopting a generic, one-size-fits-all approach. It challenges the traditional notion that "every teacher is a teacher of reading," arguing that secondary teachers should focus on discipline-specific literacy practices that align with their content expertise.

DFI. (2025). The Science of Learning. Deans for Impact (DFI). Retrieved 22 September from https://www.deansforimpact.org/tools-and-resources/the-science-of-learning

ILA. (2017). Content Area and Disciplinary Literacy: Strategies and Frameworks. International Literacy Association (ILA), 1–9.

It is expensive, but it works!

The content is very Australian, but they are great resources to experiment with, especially if you are considering investing in a program like MacqLit.

The content is very Australian, but they are great resources to experiment with, especially if you are considering investing in a program like MacqLit.

Key Features of SRSD:

• Explicit strategy instruction: Teachers model writing strategies (for example, using mnemonics like POW – Pick my idea, Organize my notes, Write and say more).

• Self-regulation: Students are taught how to set goals, monitor their progress, use self-talk, and evaluate their writing.

• Gradual release: Instruction moves from teacher modeling to guided practice to independent use.

• Integration of motivation and writing: SRSD emphasizes building student confidence and ownership of their writing.

16:38 Reading aloud in the native language strengthens language.

28:06 Teach letter sounds in Spanish and English.