Author Archives: mwalker

“Rounds being like a dipstick” part two of a book discussion – Ch 3-5

Posted on June 24, 2015 by mwalker

Well this is the second instalment of our discussion as some points to comment on. The first being I just love the image of “rounds being like a dipstick” (p.110)   Comment: there are just so many ways you might … Continue reading →

Posted in Instructional Rounds, Leadership, school, Teaching | 3 Comments

Mark Twain’s quotes for todays age!

Posted on June 22, 2015 by mwalker

This quote is often attributed to Mark Twain however the site quote investigator casts some doubt on this. I found it while on twitter and another’s blog. The quote whoever penned it is still apt for today. A person who … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | 2 Comments

How do we scaffold what we teach in grammar to student writing?

Posted on June 21, 2015 by mwalker

I often hear teachers complaining or just plain confused about why students don’t transfer what they learn in one context or lesson to their performances in another. They have taught something in grammar (e.g. dependant clauses) or spelling (e.g. letter combinations … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Instruction, Teaching | 2 Comments

An authentic purpose for learning – a makers market.

Posted on June 18, 2015 by mwalker

Tonight our Year 1 and 2 students ran a “makers market” as their last performance for their technology based unit of learning “how do you make”. As you can see by the photo the market was well attended with hundreds … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Instruction, Teaching | 3 Comments

Victoria the “ice” capital of South East Asia !

Posted on June 18, 2015 by mwalker

Today at our local State principal network we heard from Les Twentyman a long serving youth outreach worker who has supported the marginalised and at risk young people who are generally homeless and on the streets. A few years ago … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Meaningful Reading Comprehension – students doing the work!

Posted on June 4, 2015 by mwalker

This is a year 2 boy’s attempt to infer the meaning of words in a non fiction book of his choosing. Both the teacher and I thought this a really good artefact to show his reading comprehension development. The first … Continue reading →

Posted in Instruction, Reading, Teaching | 1 Comment

School Based Instructional Rounds: a progressive book club discussion (Ch 1 & 2)

Posted on June 4, 2015 by mwalker

In an earlier post I wrote about personal teacher professional learning. One of our teachers is doing a leadership course at Bastow Institute this year and her research project is using instructional rounds at the school level with teachers. One of … Continue reading →

Posted in Instructional Rounds, Leadership, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

young people’s anger – here’s one thought.

Posted on June 1, 2015 by mwalker

I’m fortunate as a school leader that my teachers share their ideas and thoughts with me. This is one teachers share last week that resonates so strongly with me – how does one promote young people’s conversations about dealing with … Continue reading →

Posted in curriculum, school, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips | 1 Comment

identifying teacher itches to scratch

Posted on June 1, 2015 by mwalker

Schools in Victoria have many standardised data sets about student learning, student attitudes to school, parent opinion surveys and finally staff opinion surveys. This post focuses on this last data set, staff opinion. There was industrial action for the 3 … Continue reading →

Posted in Data Wise Program, Harvard, Observation, teacher efficacy, Teaching, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Anzac Day Service at School: Lest we forget.

Posted on May 5, 2015 by mwalker

Recently our year 3 and 4 students led the school in the annual Anzac Day commemoration service. The service which dates back 100 years is to acknowledge those men and women who served in our armed services in conflicts and … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, curriculum, school | 1 Comment

Is the metaphor a leader is like a parent valid?

Posted on April 13, 2015 by mwalker

I have been contemplating a leadership metaphor used by Simon Sinek on a recent Ted Talk: “great leaders are like parents wanting to give their children (employees) opportunities to try and fail in safe ways and to discipline when necessary”. … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, school administration, Teaching | 1 Comment

Teaching Writing? (part 1)

Posted on April 8, 2015 by mwalker

I’m sitting on the back porch of a small lodge at the base of Mt Buller listening to the babbling sound of rushing water on the Delatite River. As I gaze up from this iPad I see many differing shades … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Instruction, Teaching, writing | 1 Comment

Do we teach handwriting skills to young writers – OK – when and why?

Posted on March 24, 2015 by mwalker

Recently I was in team meeting where teachers were discussing when to teach 5 year olds handwriting. It got me to thinking about why of my age and the old pen licences which we scrapped at least 10 years ago. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Instruction, Teaching, Uncategorized, writing | 5 Comments

The pendulum conundrum of strategic planning.

Posted on March 3, 2015 by mwalker

Over the past 18 months we as a school having been reviewing our performance as a school through the student, teacher and parent lenses. There was lots to celebrate which we have. However human nature is a curious things for … Continue reading →

Posted in Instruction, Leadership, school, Teaching, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Speaking at the Monday School Assembly: A Principal’s Message.

Posted on March 2, 2015 by mwalker

First of all I should say I’m invited by our year 6 leaders who run the weekly assembly to speak. I’m allotted about 5-6 minutes in a busy 25 minute program that has students singing the national anthem, reciting the welcome … Continue reading →

Posted in school, school administration | 1 Comment