In last week’s post we looked at the research behind classroom libraries, the number and types of books they should contain and the need for diversity on our shelves. This …
Read moreClassroom Libraries: All Your Questions Answered (Part 2)
It’s early days in the school year and you want to make sure you are setting your students up for absolute success in all things literacy this year. You’ve got …
Read moreClassroom libraries: All your questions answered (Part 1)
Think about your classroom. What do your walls say about the instruction that occurs in your classroom? What is valued? What is not? What is the current instructional focus (according to the walls)?
What are anchor charts and why and how should you use them?
After spending all weekend working out the best way to teach a genre, locating the required resources and then executing the perfect minilesson, the last thing a teacher wants to …
Read more5 Teacher tips for overcoming “I Don’t know what to write about”
I once had a neighbour ask me about orienteering as she said she thought her son might like it. I gave her all the information about our next event and …
Read more5 alternatives to the dreaded “write about your holidays” prompt.
If we want our students to be risk takers in their learning, we must create an environment in our classroom where they feel safe to take risks. So much of …
Read more5 ‘getting to know you’ activities for the start of the year
I wonder what goes through the mind of Bunnings staff members when they see adult after adult scouring the plumbing aisles only to emerge with a piece of narrow PVC …
Read moreHow to Make and Use Whisper Phones / Fluency Phones
January: the month where you’re technically on holidays, but your work brain thinks it’s a great time to ‘get ahead of the game’ and start planning… So, when you do …
Read more5 hot tips for preparing your classroom for the new year
Sooo I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I LOVE reading. It’s how I escape, how I learn about myself and the world (and my place in the world) and …
Oz Lit Teacher is a movement of sorts- it’s about sharing good quality mentor texts to help Australian teachers teach reading and writing. The whole concept of Oz Lit Teacher …