Sheena Cameron

Keywords
Sheena Cameron - Last person standing. A great warm up that I have used before. Students needed to stand and think of a word relating to our topic. Some really interesting words relating to our school/ values/ equipment. Need more work on technical words/ vocabulary. These words were also added to their writing books.

Oral language is the key to literacy and developing ideas 'the heart of writing.' See here for more information (UK based research though) - https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/tools/guidance-reports/literacy-ks-one/#recommendation-1

Different ways to look at keywords - http://hotandthinkertools.wikispaces.com/Keywords

Students then used these keywords to explain 'random' objects. Great watching the students working collaboratively with this. More work needs to be done to support students with vocabulary though - how does this look in the class - what skills/ strategies do I still need to work on - I need to think of interesting/ exciting ways of doing this now.

A session needs to be added into next weeks plan. The challenge I'm facing at the moment is trying to fit all these skills in within my classroom programme - what skills are important? If I am to do things differently - should I be focusing on deeper features and how much time does need to be spend doing this - instead of having fun - 'instilling the love of literacy.'

Effective Use of the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model - D. Fisher
Discusses the evidence of effective instructions and how they can develop their 'expertise' in all aspects of reading and writing - including oral language. Reading about 'vertical alignment' - here is where there is an alignment with the process and outcome that provides students with a coherent sequence. Making sure their is a relationship between the reading and writing for students to extend their vocabulary and giving these students extra attention to develop these skills.

What Doesn't Work: Literacy Practices We Should Abandon - N.Duke
We know that finding a word in the dictionary doesn't build vocabulary - we are not working with them to develop vocabulary if this is what we are doing. Students need to be exposed to what this language looks like/ how it is used and making fun with the words in interesting engaging ways.

Learning with a Purpose

Today such a successful lesson with the Principal. I asked Gary to come to the class to create a meaningful purpose for writing. We have had so many changes around the school and it was good opportunity for students to write a report. Gary asked students to write something for the school newsletter. Allowing students the freedom to work out what to write and how to write it was exciting. Students were able to discuss plans, designs, quotes etc with Gary and then we were able to walk and discuss all of these changes.

Students then brainstormed visually what they saw/ did/ learned. Students created a SC for their report (that had a deadline). Students were able to brainstorm keywords running around the room writing on post its to go with the pictures created earlier. Students were engaged, eager and excited to write. Looking forward to see where we go using their keywords etc. When students are the centre of their learning , they are more engaged. Students need to have a clear outline of what is expected and why but also making them the centre of learning (Refer to Teacher Effectiveness - 7 Principles of Learning here). 

Kahui Ako Teacher Only Day

Reflection from Kahui Ako Teacher's Only day/ Collaborative Writing Session
https://drive.google.com/open?id=18RMuzfzkTNxdn0Ct2BsWnFq5S8XMMZS6yZOr8DLjbXA
Incredible ideas that I want to try with my group. So much to do and how do I fit it all in? I haven't had a chance to complete the survey with parents yet. TOD was extremely reflective on my programme/ things I have done in the past and why I'm not doing them now ..... Night Zoo Keeper/ story jumper .....

• Playdough lessons
• Stu Duvel thinking
• Introduce character building from a picture
• Dinosaur/ dragons stories - where could this go ....instructions of the dragon's dinner, report about dragons and where they could from/ recount from a day the dragon came to school.
• Interesting to develop with my group - making connections with groups with lego - https://youtu.be/MgnrD_r-jOI and then making this into a stop motion.