Mark's Learning Log- Wondering if all teachers in training and graduate teachers are being taught to instruct all students in reading as though they were in the red? September 29, 2024I have this wondering that we are teaching all students in the class – as a whole class lesson – in the junior years as though they all needed the intensive phonic instruction and frequent repetition. Yes some explicit instruction … Continue reading →mwalker
- Why Why is the question we all need to answer! May 31, 2024In my work with school educators this is the question I ask them to resolve for themselves. What drives you to lead / teach young people and why? What happened to you and why is that important. I was reminded … Continue reading →mwalker
- Wondering if all teachers in training and graduate teachers are being taught to instruct all students in reading as though they were in the red? September 29, 2024
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Category Archives: writing
Writers Workshop Toolkit
Every month I receive en email with this months “tips” on how to I think strategise a little more in your writers workshop. The tips are divided by grade levels (e.g. K-1) – Yes, it’s an American resource – one … Continue reading
Use differing Genre in teaching Reading and Writing
I’ve posted these two images from the work of Cass a reading specialist after recent discussions about the growing effects of NAPLAN particularly on writing. It seems the genre we teach is narrowing to narrative (what sort of narrative I … Continue reading
Posted in Assessment, Instruction, writing
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Teaching Writing? (part 1)
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
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Do we teach handwriting skills to young writers – OK – when and why?
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
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Reinventing Writing is that possible?
Recently I stumbled upon the work of Vicki Davis a classroom teacher (middle or secondary I think) in the States who is working on using technology to reinvent writing. The clip above is long (20 minutes) but I think she … Continue reading
Posted in Feedback, Instruction, Teaching, writing
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Donald Graves: a teacher of writing and an inspiration to many.
Professor Donald Graves of New Hampshire University recently died of pneumonia at the age of 80. In the early 1980’s his research on student writing which became known as “process writing” had a profound influence on Australian educators including me. His … Continue reading
Posted in Instruction, Leadership, Uncategorized, Video Clips, writing
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Courtenay Gardens P.S. Non fiction Writing in Victoria!
Recently, a professional learning team from Elsternwick Primary, visited a school, Courtenay Garden’s P.S. in Victoria that focused on non fiction writing implementing the research of Douglas Reeves. Courtenay Gardens P.S. ,a school located in the growth corridior of the outer south eastern suburbs … Continue reading
A new model for “Writing” is needed in schools.
It seems writing is now more in focus than reading. Over the last 6 months I have heard and read a great deal about the power of writing and how the model needs to change in schools. I wrote about … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Reading, school, Teaching, Uncategorized, writing
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