Charlotte Verity Professional Learning (School Based)

We have now been working collaboratively, with four classes in a new modern learning hub. We've implemented a shared timetable, with developmental play/discovery time woven through reading, writing and maths learning each morning.  The New Space:          As staff, we have discussed, agreed and planned areas for different purposes, including: reading/library corner, a theatre for shared gatherings, a construction room (with doors so that children can be playful and make noise with blocks, cars etc, without interrupting learning in the main space), a maths centre, a writing area, maker space / kitchen for construction and a mindful colouring zone.  What Has Worked? A number of things have really aided our journey, and the ease of transition for the children. These strategies have included:  * Staff meeting to discuss what worked/what didn't work after school each day, and altering plans accordingly. * Shared expectations for behav...

Wow - I am learning so much about my team, quality teaching and learning and systems over recent weeks. It has been very challenging but fun at the same time. Working with my team I value the different backgrounds and strengths of my team members, and their senses of humour as well as their individual strengths. I am learning to not take things as personally as I once would have, and to focus on the content of what people say rather than the tone or facial gesture. I loved the simplicity of the suggestions put forward in the Seven Norms of Collaboration (Annotated Poster) , and am endeavoring to increase my use of  presuming positive intentions  as well as posing questions. I am also working on improving my own confidence in meetings. Key phrases that are helping me are: What unique characteristics/views/skills do I bring to this situation? and How can I build on/add to what has been said?  Visiting Waitakiri I loved and would like to explore: * The different col...

Staff workshop from Ministry of Education (Behaviour support team), 2 nd  May 2017 Modules: Understanding behaviour Encouraging ready-to-learn behaviour Responding safely                 Reflection & embedding Strong, positive relationships increase the likelihood of constructive outcomes. Legal Definitions from Guidance for New Zealand Schools on Behaviour Management to Minimise Physical Restraint (Oct 2016) Physical restraint is when staff use their own body to deliberately limit the movement of the student. Staff Preventative and de-escalation measures should be used by staff. Restraint is a last resort to prevent imminent danger of physical injury to the student or others. There must be imminent danger to the physical safety of others Restraint includes taking a child by arm/hand when the student pulls away. It  includes blocking an exit when a child is in the room and wants to leave. You may need t...

The best single predicator of future reading achievement at school entry is phonological awareness. Gillon (2004); Pressley (2002); Elhri et al (2001); Goswami (2001); Blachman (2000) Repetition is required build the neural paths for new knowledge and skills in the brain. What is the single most effective thing you can do to help the low level reader? Hear them read out loud at instructional level every day. Reading requires:          Knowing letter sounds          How to blend sounds together          Requires graphic knowledge & memory (e.g. for high frequency words)          Comprehension          Fluency When faced with a new word, a child can use graphic knowledge (word chunks e.g. ing; graph etc) and phonics (letter sounds).  Spelling requires:          Segmentation      ...

TEACHING AS INQUIRY: WRITING  Focusing Inquiry What is important given where my students are at? I have chosen to focus on three students in writing. A full description of their current development can be found here . Teaching Inquiry What strategies (evidence-based) are most likely to help my students learn? * Providing rich motivations * Giving students audiences/platforms for sharing their writing (wall, blog, sharing with other teachers) * Writing criteria (visual) and explicit feedback (verbal) * Individual modelling, prompting, praise and questioning Teaching & Reflection - (Action) T erm 1 The Baseline Situation * Variation in writing stimulus and topics engaged students * Modelling was kept short, but didn't engage all students. How can I increase involvement during modelling? * We did lots of writing about ourselves: favourite playground, a family member * Students loved ...