Monthly Archives: July 2011

This week I’ll be joining a large group of principals from the Central Peninsula Network, Victoria, Australia for an Instructional Round taking place at a network school. Before completing an Instructional Round, I review my notes to make sure I’m prepared for the day. This will be my 7th Instructional Round.

“The focus of Rounds must be on problems of practice. An important part of the process is creating mechanisms for continuous learning. Instructional Rounds focuses on teaching NOT the teachers and requires members to practice skills of observation and debriefing. We need to use Rounds to go beyond the “land of nice’ and move into a culture of challenge.” Background Information – Bob Stephens: Assistant Regional Director, Southern Metropolitan Region, Victoria.

To support schools introducing Instructional Rounds my Teacher Professional Leave partner and I created a number of videos. The video inserted in this post is an introduction to Instructional Rounds. It’s had 914 views which amazes us.

The second video was created as a reflection of the Southern Metropolitan Region Instructional Rounds Pilot program 2010. I would like to note that our film skills are improving.

And finally, my Teacher Professional Leave partner and I created the Instructional Rounds, Best Teacher Practice, E5 Model Professional Learning Network. This is a global space where educators can collaborate, connect and share their experiences and resources. The ning currently has 262 members from numerous parts of the globe. Our role is to host and moderate this PLN. Regular messages are broadcasted via the ning to ensure members are aware of current content. The link is provided below:

Link: http://instructionalroundsineducation.ning.com/

“It is what teachers think, what teachers do, and what teachers are, at the level of the classroom that ultimately shapes the kind of learning that young people get”. Andy Hargreaves & Michael Fullan

“You don’t change performance without changing the instructional core. The relationship of the teacher and the student in the presence of content must be at the centre of all efforts to improve performance”. Elmore 2007

Cheers Nina

Inspired by Masterchef, the children had to plate a meal with specific ingredients: 17 peas, 7 potatoes, 11 small sausages and 19 baby carrots. These meals aren’t fully plated.

Cheers Nina

Young children love to be active and creative when learning. Developing children’s listening skills coupled with following directions needs to be woven into the classroom program. The children have completed a ‘follow me’ picture of a story character. The teacher’s role is to use directional language and model for the children e.g. follow me – put a straight line in the middle of your page. Language: curved, straight, middle, above, below, in front, behind, to the side, right, left etc.

The pictures below are family portraits using white ink pens on black card. These pictures are laminated and can be used as a placemat when taken home.

Cheers Nina

I am asked to support various organisations by using my blog to advertise and support their cause. After carefully researching each organisation’s request, worthy causes are posted on my blog. This information was forwarded by Sarah McKitterick the PR and Community Liaison Officer for this event.

The 15th annual White Balloon Day will be held on 7th September 2011. This organisation is asking schools, daycares and universities across the country to participate and hope that you will join them in raising important awareness about child protection in your school and community.

Being involved in White Balloon Day is a simple, fun and effective way to reach out to students about child protection.  Held during National Child Protection Week, White Balloon Day is a day of recognition, awareness and support for survivors of child assault.

Link: http://www.whiteballoonday.com.au/

Cheers Nina

Term 3 commences tomorrow and it promises to be busy. For international readers we have 4 school terms, with each term being approximately 10/11 weeks. If you have a request for a post on a particular teaching strategy please email me at ndninadavis8@gmail.com. You can also look at the Professional Leraning Network I co-host and moderate http://instructionalroundsineducation.ning.com/ if you are interested in Instructional Rounds as a school improvement model.

Cheers Nina