Mark's Learning Log- Should we worry about socioeconomic segregation in Australian schools? December 23, 2024As we enter the Christmas Holiday period in Australian Schools it’s time to reflect on some trends and wonder are we getting better. I know that’s a broader query but a recent Google link on my phone this morning got … 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, 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
- Should we worry about socioeconomic segregation in Australian schools? December 23, 2024
Mark’s Visitor Map
Readers Map
Category Archives: Teaching
Carol Tomlinson: an encounter to remember!
This year in our Instructional Rounds group within the local network of schools we purchased Carol Tomlinson’s book “Leading and Managing A Differentiated Classroom” to use as a base text for understanding our observation of instruction in classrooms. Last year … Continue reading
Like to start teacher conversation about observing practice – with humour?
Recently we ran a workshop on observing teacher practice in classrooms within a coaching relationship. To break the ice but make the point we used this clip from Summer Heights High which was an Australian TV show that “sent up” … Continue reading
Posted in Feedback, Instruction, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips
Leave a comment
Rick Wormeli on redo’s and retakes
I’ve been pondering some recent parent feedback about our senior students lack of engagement with some teachers and the material they are expected to learn. I began my reflections about the students coming from the digital generation and expecting to … Continue reading
Posted in differentiation, Feedback, Instruction, teacher efficacy, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips
6 Comments
Inspect what you expect
Earlier this year Penny, one of my assistant Principal’s, and I participated in the ASCD summer conference in Boston. One workshop we attended was by Pete Hall the Principal of Sheridan Elementary School in Spokane. Pete spoke about the need to monitor classroom instruction … Continue reading
Why are we still asking questions about students repeating or being retained in the 21st century?
I was requested to publish an updated post on the research around students repeating or being retained in the same level class. This post was first published some 3 years ago and surprise surprise the issue hasn’t gone away. In summary I reported then, using … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, parenting, Repeating Classes, school, Teaching
Tagged http://bounceback.com.au/files/article_repeating_06.pdf, http://kidshealth.org/kid/grow/school_stuff/repeating.html, http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6970000/newsid_6974800/6974858.stm, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/parenting/2008190324_faull20.html, http://www.stepfamily.asn.au/forum/index.php?topic=29643.msg442659
7 Comments
Asian perspectives across a curriculum are just as important as learning a language like Mandarin.
Front page of the Age newspaper today were two headings that caught my eye: “PM seizes reins on China links” and “Mandarin off schools’ menu”. The first article describes a government white paper due out early next year which seeks … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese Language, Teaching, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Asian Languages in Schools: in decline!
This week our school was featured on an ABC show (Newsline – Language Barrier)reporting the decline in Asian Languages taught in schools. The show pointed to the low numbers of students continuing their language studies in VCE [which is our … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese Language, Teaching, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
“learning as a social process through which understanding is achieved”
The title of this post comes from a book titled “Schools and Communities: working together to transform children live’s” by West-Burnham, Farrar and Otero. Pictured above is George Otero, a co author of the book and Co-President of the Relational Learning Centre … Continue reading
Posted in curriculum, reflections, Teaching, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Reflections on ‘Learning Intentions’ of classroom lessons
Over the past 3 months I have been honoured to observe instruction by teachers in classrooms across a number of schools. One of the indicators of effective instruction is that each lesson has a clear learning intention stated up front to … Continue reading
Posted in Instruction, Instructional Rounds, reflections, Teaching, Uncategorized
2 Comments
A new Internet paradigm for learning.
Last month I was fortunate to hear Mark Treadwell [pictured above] speak to a group of aspirant leaders I am mentoring. He had some I think important things to say about learning and I think leadership. He began the morning … Continue reading
Posted in Accountability, Assessment, Instruction, school, Teaching, Technology, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Do you have a fixed or fluid mindset?
Occasionally you stumble upon some research that just makes sense. Well this research about the effects of fixed and fluid mindsets on student motivation made sense to me. Have you heard someone say they just no good at………… maths or … Continue reading
Posted in Feedback, Instruction, school, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips
7 Comments
Differentiated Instruction
This post is a work in progress. I’m putting it up on my blog before this weeks instructional rounds for principals to view so that we can tune in to the problem of practice.
Posted in differentiation, Instruction, Teaching
Leave a comment
Elmore on the challenges in schools
I used this clip on the first day this year with teachers when the question was raised about teachers letting go [stop talking to the whole class] after a challenging task was set [some scaffolding has already occurred].
Posted in Leadership, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips
Leave a comment
things to do on the first day [or month] of school
I was reading What Ed Said blog and this post struck a cord with me. Next week during the first 3 days of school, which are pupil free for teacher professional development, my only session with the staff has a … Continue reading
Posted in flexible learning spaces, Instruction, Teaching, Uncategorized
2 Comments
Implications of the “still face” experiment
Thanks to John Connell for this clip which I think has wider implications for all those working with our youth – not just parents with babies. I think this experiment along with a few others like the little Albert Experiment … Continue reading
Posted in Community, parenting, school, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips
Leave a comment