Latest Event Updates
21st Century Classrooms
What does a 21st Century school look like? More importantly, for what, are we preparing our students?
Guy Claxton may have the answer- Building Learning Power, through Learning Habits. He says we need to teach habits while we teach content. Find out how you can have a Learning Power School
Share this:
Creativity in Education
Are we educating creativity out of our children? The curriculum is overloaded with content and teachers are loathe to be seen to be ‘wasting time’ doing craft or art when they could be doing far more important things like science or maths. Sound familiar.
Teachers the world over are busy teaching content and creativity is often left to the playground (although even then it is scarce). But who knows what the future will bring and what skills will be valued.
That five-year old who doesn’t want to colour the grass green or the 8 year-old who wants to build towers with the MAB blocks instead of doing maths problems might very well be the person who imagines a new invention and then goes on to create it.
What can teachers do to nurture creativity in the classroom as well as meet their responsibilities under the curriculum? What can schools do to ensure creativity is valued into the future?
This TED talk is excellent food for thought!
Share this:
Getting Autism Early
As a Kindergarten Learning Support Teacher, it is often my job to approach parents regarding (amongst other things) ASD behaviours. Obviously, as a teacher we can’t diagnose or even suggest this to parents, however,we can flag behaviours that might warrant investigation by a paediatrician.
This series of videos in this link very clearly show behaviours in very young children that indicate ASD behaviours. Why is this important? Because if we can start intervention as early as possible, these kids can have a much better outcome.
Video What does Autism look like?
Share this:
Is the grass always greener in the other classroom?
Teachers are always in search of the “holy grail” in education. That programme that will help those students that are struggling to access the curriculum. Unfortunately, the quest continues.
Here are some of my favourite alternate programmes
- I personally am in favour of sensory integration programmes- movement and coordination programmes. I do 3 to 4, 1/2 hour movement lessons a week with all kindergarten children. At worst their upper body strength is improved which flows through to fine motor skills at best we have improved coordination and motor planning.
- I love neuroscience-based cognitive theory for the classroom to improve executive function
- Learning through play- makes so much sense
- Listening games and activities to improve working memory are a must in every classroom
I think we need to be open-minded about what improves results in the classroom. Innovation doesn’t have to be an expensive programme, just a new way of doing something.
Share this:
Stop the boats? stop the mosques? STOP THE HATE!
This facebook page went live on 29th October. Three days later it has over 4000 likes.
I am shocked to see teachers I know espousing hate messages against Muslims, liking the page and joining the propaganda.
How on earth can we teach love, acceptance and unity if this is happening in our local community? How can Muslim children in our local schools feel accepted and part of the community.
Share this:
My “aha” moments in EDFD459
- Learning to be an ‘online’ learner. Being introduced to Salmon’s 5 Stages made me realise that it is ok and normal to be hesitant but you do begin to interact with the cohort- and when you do, wow the learning that takes place.
- Starting a blog. Really started me thinking about what my passions are and what I can share with other teachers. Very valuable tool and looking forward to expanding over time
- Entering the “Twittersphere” – now I’m hooked! What a great way for teachers to connect.
- Considering the 5 learning spaces and exploring them. This will definitely change my teaching. I really enjoyed this assignment (as challenging as it was) it was a great way to reflect.
- Future Space- in the words of a great philosopher: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” Dr Suess, The Lorax, 1971.
Image retrieved 23rd October 2015 from http://www.quotesgram.com/lorax-dr-seuss-quotes
Share this:
Doctors, teachers and policy makers?
What will become of the Syrian refugees coming to our shores? Amongst these 12000, could be a Nobel prize-winning researcher, finding that elusive cure. Or an amazing teacher, a fantastic musician, an artist, a mechanic, a lawyer.
As a country, we need to ensure these children, in particular, are given every opportunity for an education, in a safe, inclusive learning space.
Their needs are many. They will need psychological & physical support along with a quality education that will enable them to choose their own path. Their families will need a network of support within the community to ensure they don’t get gobbled up in bureaucratic red tape. Just like a new mother needs a support network of friends and family, so too these refugees. The difference being, that we must become their new ‘family’.
Most importantly, these people must feel included, valued and respected. The drowning of the refugee child on the Turkish beach has made the world take notice, but now the real work begins. How do we ensure that these children, who have seen so much trauma, grow up able to make a contribution to our country or somewhere else on the globe?
Childen learn what they live. What we do in our schools in the next few years to support & nurture these students will set the scene for the next decade.
Photo: Refugee Voices. Hasma, 11 years old. Retrieved from data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/syriaphp
Share this:
Job Vacancy- Teacher who goes above and beyond
Position Description
A classroom teacher position exists for a motivated and empathetic, suitably qualified teacher to lead and support a team of classroom teachers transition Syrian refugees into our school.
Necessary attributes & skills:
- Excellent understanding and knowledge of the Syrian refugee crisis
- Ability to connect with key stakeholders- students, families, staff and outside agencies
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Flexibility to work outside standard school hours including nights, weekends, and holidays
- Proven experience in training and willingness to train and develop staff in EALD strategies
- Willingness and ability to lead the staff and wider community in understanding the needs of the refugee families and students
- Ability to develop, through own networks, innovative programmes within the school to support transition of refugee students
Desirable:
- Previous training and experience in working with EALD students
- Arabic language skills
Share this:
More than just a teacher.
The refugee children have lost their childhood. They have witnessed atrocities we can’t begin to imagine. They have lost the home they knew. They have endured hardship to escape the war zone, walking for many days. They have lost their beloved toys and possibly loved ones.
When they eventually arrive for their first day of school in Australia, the educators must be sensitive to the trauma these children have endured and the language needs to help them communicate their basic needs.
But the beauty of children is their amazing ability to embrace the new. With careful planning, Australian schools can welcome these children and provide them with the ‘trappings’ of childhood.
- Friends to love
- Games to play
- A safe place to be
Teachers can organise playground games that include these children and help them to make friends.
Perhaps a gift from the class of an age appropriate toy- a teddy, some Lego
Programming within the classroom that provides opportunities for small group activities to ensure the refugee student can contribute
For the 12,000 refugees coming to our shores, there are millions left behind.
Sign the petition and help put Syrian children in refugee camps back in school in a matter of weeks.
Share this:
Where do you come from?
This powerful photographic documentary makes you think about the refugees coming to our country. Who are they? What lives have they left behind?
For educators it poses a myriad of questions. In addition to ensuring their psychological and physical wellbeing, schools will go about the task of educating the new arrivals. Here are but a few of the important questions we need answered regarding the new students.
- Has the student had education in their own language. That is, are they literate in their first language, or possibly a number of languages?
- Has the student had experience with technology?
- Does the child have any experience with English?
- What cultural knowledge does the student have and how can we share in their wealth of knowledge about their own country.
- Does the child have numeracy skills in their own language? How can we bring that knowledge to the Australian classroom?
Photo: Refugee Voices. Hamad, 2 years old. Retrieved from data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/syriaphp
Learning Tactics 