Mentor Texts: The What, Why and Where
We’ve just moved houses and, after living in a rental house with a complete mishmash of furniture (like uni students who haven’t really even grown up), my husband and I …
Interview With Author/Illustrator Sami Bayly
I recently had the opportunity interview talented Australian author and illustrator, Sami Bayly. Sami’s first book, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals, won the Children’s Indie Book of the Year …
Who is the Oz Lit Teacher? (Part 1)
I grew up in Bendigo with 3 brothers, 2 sisters and numerous pets. Having three older brothers, I started going in to school as soon as I was born. Mum …
Is non-fiction dead? Insights from a Book Week Judge
Not That I’ve finished my stint as a CBCA Book Week Judge for the Eve Pownall Information Book Category, it’s finally safe to reveal a dirty secret I’ve held for …
2 quick tips for effective data use
Considering report writing season is upon us, I thought I’d share 2 quick data use tips that are relevant for this time of the year. Even if you’re not enjoying …
How to ‘Marie Kondo’ Your Assessment Schedule
When my husband and I moved from Bendigo to Melbourne, I distinctly remember the removalist saying that if there’d been ‘one more box of bloody books’ he wouldn’t have done …
Why ‘Less is More’ in Genre instruction
Being a writer has been a lifelong dream of mine. From a young age, I’d tell Mum and Dad I was going to be an author, an illustrator and a …
Are you considering a leadership role?
Have you ever dared to think ‘maybe, just maybe, I could take on a formal leadership role in a school?’ Just to be clear: By ‘formal leadership role’ I’m not …
Perfect poems to celebrate World Poetry Day
Happy World Poetry Day! Today is a wonderful day for me as I’ve always loved reading and writing poetry. I can’t remember exactly where this love started but I do …
Strategies for supporting reluctant writers
Lots of teachers ask me how to engage their reluctant writers. It’s like they know my secret when they ask me. The secret that my family know only too well: …