Monthly Archives: August 2009

I’ve taken some time to re-read many of my posts and I can see my own journey. My teaching is changing as my learning grows…and that’s got to be worthwhile! My teaching has grown so much since my first post which I would totally re-write now, but I’m leaving it as it serves as a reminder of where I’ve come from. Please continue to visit, read my reflections, send e-mails, comment and most importantly challenge my ideas and share yours! I said in one of my previous posts that I would include some pictures of my student’s illustrations in their little Language Experiece book about the CSIRO visit. Here they are!

I love the detail the children are putting in their illustrations. They know that their pictures will help others read their book.

Cheers Nina

Taking every opportunity to extend and use a child’s vocabulary is an important part of the Language Experience Approach and any classroom program. Extending an older child’s language is equally crucial. Many of the wonderful teaching experiences which are child centred and engaging should be embedded into all year levels.

Last week my Intern (student teacher- 4th year) Jacinta did a fantastic measurement lesson that not only had the children exploring measurement but building language. The children had to predict if a toy car travelling down a bumpy ramp would go further than a car travelling down a smooth ramp. They tried the car ramps and then used string to measure the distance. To find out how long each string was the children had to measure using informal units. Some children used little teddies, some used unifix cubes and others used round counters. They discovered that you have to choose a consistent measure e.g. same size teddies and counters.

The photos display the different words the children came up with to describe their measurement. Take a look at the lesson photos and you will see the children’s language used in the class recording. All words are excepted, some children used fun slang and others used mathematical language.

Cheers Nina

Yesterday, I presented ‘Language Experience’ to a group of teachers completing a Literacy Leader’s course for my region. What did I learn? Heaps! Even though these teachers may not have seen holes in my practice, after this day, I did. I left with many questions ‘reeling’ in my head. Things like: Should I have said this or that? Do I do ‘this or that’ properly and even should I have been standing up there at all? So… where do I take these questions I now have?

It became obvious to me, that even though I know a lot, there is still so much to know because ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’. As I’m nearing the end of my career (the last 10 years), do I decide to keep going on as I do, or do I decide to go back and review, relearn and share?

Obviously, the latter! You’re never too experienced or too knowledgeable that you can’t learn from others. So why am I sharing this? Yesterday, I was sharing my practice, but as part of this process I got to listen and learn from others… and when I was defining my practice for my presentation, I realised I was ‘unconsciously skilled’. I’ve thought about applying to be a ‘coach’ and now all I can see is why I still need to teach.

My practice needs more development and refining. I need to have a better understanding of the pedagogy behind the teaching of literacy, as my ‘thinking and understanding’ and ability to express the pedagogy behind or beneath ‘best practice’ just isn’t there yet.

It was a privilege to have the opportunity to work with and listen to Helen, an experienced and knowledgeable coach/educator speak. I know she shared more with me than I did with her, but that’s why she is a coach. I also realised after spending a day with her that although gaps were probably ‘jumping out’ at her, she didn’t voice this.  And then… when I listened to Anita clarify practice throughout the day, I realised that I should be part of this group of learners, as a learner.

To blog or not to blog? Yes, I’ll continue to write because I have good practice to share. However, I am rewriting a couple of posts with deeper pedagogy in mind. I’m going to ‘up’ my professional reading and go back and review basic practice. When I introduce Guided Reading soon, I’m going to go back to what I learnt ten years ago, pull out the old ‘hard copy’ Early Years manuals that I can find in the school and reread. If you read this post I hope it encourages you to keep reflecting on and improving your own practice.

Cheers Nina

Lots to think about! Cheers Nina

Today my intern ( 4th Year Teaching Student) taught a lesson from the Primary Connections- ‘On the Move’ book. This lesson looked at toys and how they move. She had a collection of different toys that the students played with to see how they moved. Could they be pushed or pulled or both? 

After ‘hands on’ play with the toys the students discussed how each moved. They then put the toys into groups according to how they moved. ‘Hula’ hoops became the outline for a large Venn Diagram which was explained to the children. A Venn Diagram is a fantastic tool because it is very visual and clearly displays differences and commonalities.

I’m still working on my Language Experience posts which will be up shortly. Cheers Nina

I’ve been asked to co-facilitate a day of the Literacy Leader’s Course for my region.  Specifically, I’m speaking about the Language Experience Approach, my understanding of this approach and what it sounds like, looks like and ‘is like’ in ‘real’ practice- my classroom. I’ll be sharing my planning for this session here.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to share my passion and maybe even motivate others to start or continue their journey. Why has putting this session together been so challenging? Basically the ‘what’ is easy and as teachers we are constantly being given the ‘what?’ The ‘why?’ isn’t hard either because the ‘why?’ is based on research into best practice.

Like everything it’s the ‘how’ that is difficult to explain. I’ve had to basically describe and define my teaching practice as I am what is known as ‘unconsciously skilled’.  Language Experience is not clearly defined as classroom practice anywhere. There is a lot of research and ‘bits’ of practice, but not a ‘how to’ model or manual in terms of a ‘whole’ literacy approach. My job is to provide this.

I have decided to define Language Experience as an ‘Interwoven’ approach to teaching literacy. I’ll be posting my ‘why?’ what? and ‘how?’ soon. Thanks for visiting and if you have something to share with me – email.

Cheers Nina

Prep Students are only limited by the limits put on them by others. Young children can do amazing things as long as they clearly understand what they have to do!

Our current Inquiry is Toy Story.

The Central Idea is:

Toys have changed over time due to technology.

The lines of inquiry that will define the scope of the inquiry into the central idea is:

Technology has changed toys over time.

Toys are made from a variety of material and in different ways.

Socio-economic access to toys.

Last year we did this inquiry and were amazed by how the children responded.

 To date:

Today the children had an introduction into the socio-economic aspect of toys. We arranged for a member of the Salvation Army to come and speak to our Preps about why some children don’t have toys. The children listened attentively and caringly to the Salvation Army Captain. From this it was decided that the Preps would have a Toy Drive and ask the rest of the school to help. Last week these same children participated in the Feed Melbourne Campaign and learnt about why some children come to school without breakfast. These are very young children who are already developing a sense of how they can make a difference in the lives of others.

Soon we will be starting to design and make our own toys. To support this we have been teaching the Primary Science ‘On the Move’ unit. Last year this was an immensely successful and enjoyable learning task. I have included photos of a child’s design brief and toy completed last year. The children actually followed their design to make their toy. We made the experience as authentic as possible.

To celebrate their success and to give our students the opportunity to share their understanding with others, the Preps will hold their own Toy Expo. Parents and students are invited to question and admire the designs and toys. A request for a gold coin donation is given, with the money raised given to the Salvation Army along with the collected toys.

Cheers Nina