Mark's Learning Log- It’s important to reflect on our “why”! July 19, 2021In 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 →mwalker
- Teachers look at phonics anew after training December 2, 2020A 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 →mwalker
- It’s important to reflect on our “why”! July 19, 2021
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Category Archives: Instruction
What does back at school look like?
. 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
Posted in curriculum, Instruction, parenting, school, Technology, Uncategorized
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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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Maribyrnong Network of School Leaders
This post is to follow-up our network day on the first 2 steps of Data Wise. We spoke about answering the WHY question when change is being advocated – as we are about to advocate for change in collaboration in … Continue reading
Why have learning intentions without success criteria?
John, in this 9 min clip, puts the case for why we need to explain what we intend students to learn, why and how they might self assess success. It’s hard to defend the opposite. In this clip John’s work … Continue reading
Effective Lesson Planning: length of lessons
Some of the questions, concerns and issues raised by trainee teachers so far include: constantly repeating instructions to students students forget what to do students either don’t finish the tasks in the time set or finish in the first 5 … Continue reading
Why aren’t us parents seeing any benefit in smaller class sizes?
I have just responded to this post by a parent: As a parent, the Bloomfield Public School system has sold smaller class sizes as part of their narrative. The experience of my two children has been a DECREASE in group … Continue reading
Transitional Vocabulary – one process of effectively teaching grammar.
I realise there are times when I might show a little bias however I had to show this photo of a teacher at my school teaching grammar in ways that both engage and support students transferring the understanding to their … Continue reading
Posted in Instruction, Teaching
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tips on changing teacher practice
Looking for some simple advice on why you change your practice from Dylan Wiliam. Focus on one or two things (max) till they are automated, take a risk, take the time (when offered by your school leaders) and do this for … Continue reading
Posted in Instruction, Teaching
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How do we scaffold what we teach in grammar to student writing?
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
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An authentic purpose for learning – a makers market.
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
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Meaningful Reading Comprehension – students doing the work!
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
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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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The pendulum conundrum of strategic planning.
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
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Growth mindsets and school wide learning cultures – a perfect mix!
I’ve written before on growth mindsets and this year teachers were keen to include young people developing growth mindsets as a key principle in the new strategic plan. A few teachers are now mentioning this to some parents who have … Continue reading
Posted in Assessment, Instruction, Teaching
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