Author Archives: mwalker

Sensibility on Reading – a balanced approach

Posted on September 1, 2023 by mwalker

I recommend that all new teachers and those in training watch this short 8 min video on the teaching of reading – its a balanced approach as the title indicates.

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Reading Instruction, Yes it’s still a debate!

Posted on July 24, 2023 by mwalker

Today, I’ve stumbled upon two “texts”, one a discussion podcast and one an article around the Science of Reading. As one who has taught and led the teaching of reading for many years in and around schools I find the … Continue reading →

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Changes to Teacher Training

Posted on July 11, 2023 by mwalker

Newspapers (e.g. Age , Sydney Morning Herald)are reporting that an “expert teacher education panel” recommendations have been accepted by the various States education ministers to reform initial teacher education. The report identified several perceived weaknesses with initial teacher education includes … Continue reading →

Posted in Deakin Teachers in training, Deakin University, Feedback, Instruction, professional learning, school, Teaching, trainee teachers, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Lesson Timing

Posted on June 1, 2023 by mwalker

Often I speak to pre service teachers (PST’s) during their placements in schools/classrooms and the feedback they are receiving is that their lesson timing needs to be tightened or a goal. This is fine if there is a shared understanding … Continue reading →

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Teachers in Training

Posted on April 19, 2023 by mwalker

Why it’s important to notice and implement school routines.

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Reading Debates Continue: But what happens in classrooms?

Posted on November 8, 2022 by mwalker

It’s a long article on reading instruction but I think one worth some time and subsequent reflection. It purports that cognitive scientists again and again have proven that students need phonics to become “good” readers. It then goes on to … Continue reading →

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Is it really behaviour management?

Posted on October 26, 2022 by mwalker

It’s been a while since I last posted – so I’m back. In one of my professional roles I visit teachers in training while on placements in schools. While not exclusively a secondary school “thing” I see lesson times getting … Continue reading →

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Single Figures Again

Posted on August 4, 2021 by mwalker

It’s been at least 10 years since I made single figures at my golf handicap and its a great feeling to be back again even though its a just made it 9.9. It’s winter as well and with the course … Continue reading →

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It’s important to reflect on our “why”!

Posted on July 19, 2021 by mwalker

In doing work around equity in schools or using data wise improvement processes to build greater equity (LIFE OPPORTUNITIES) its important we found to know thy why. A “why” may have a beginning – something that we reflected on that … Continue reading →

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Teachers look at phonics anew after training

Posted on December 3, 2020 by mwalker

A recent article in the Australian Newspaper raised two points on the teaching of reading skills in schools: States in Australia are increasing testing the phonic skills of students “NSW this week became the second state after South Australia to … Continue reading →

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Can we see through the looking glass into an alternative world?

Posted on August 27, 2020 by mwalker

In Lewis Carroll’s book Alice is playing with her white kittens when she ponders what the world is like on the other side of a mirror’s reflection. Climbing up onto the fireplace mantel, she pokes at the wall-hung mirror behind the fireplace … Continue reading →

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Parents want more than jobs out of education for their children.

Posted on June 22, 2020 by mwalker

The Australian Newspaper features an article by Chris Mitchell “Parents want education system to prep kids for jobs, not political activism”. In the article he makes a number of claims and offers solutions which I think need a response. Mitchell’s … Continue reading →

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What does back at school look like?

Posted on May 22, 2020 by mwalker

. As schools in Victoria resume face to face teaching over the next 2 weeks there might be a temptation for a period of testing to see where students are up to, what gaps may have occurred and know what … Continue reading →

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Teaching has 4 Seasons

Posted on May 18, 2020 by mwalker

During this Covid 19 isolation period I have been catching up on my reading and I came across an article in the ASCD Education Update (Oct 2019) titled “Teaching Comes in Seasons”. The author Chase Mielke talked about the careers … Continue reading →

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Lilydale High School

Posted on November 22, 2019 by mwalker

During November I worked with the leadership team at Lilydale High School on collaboration. Some of the resources we used: https://hbr.org/2002/06/a-survival-guide-for-leaders Lilydale HS Meeting Rolling Agenda.docx http://mwalker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Inventory-of-Instructional-Initiatives.xlsx

Posted in Data Wise Program, school, school structures, Uncategorized | Leave a comment