Posts

Posted on

Careful- I can hear you now!

loud1 I can hear clearly now the wax has gone. I can hear all sorts of things I should not hear!

I can hear clearly now the wax has gone. It’s gonna be a loud, loud, interesting year!

(abject apologies to Johnny Nash!)

I have just had my ears syringed out by a wonderful health professional who knows me well. She warned me I might feel unbalanced and she was frankly amazed I could still hear anything at all! I fly frequently and over the last few cold and flu infested winters had built up my own candle making factory.

However – the magical moment arrived when finally the sound came in and for the last week I have felt like Alice in Wondersoundland!

My aunt and I had champagne and oysters in Harrods straight afterwards and I swear I heard enough whispered conversations to bring down the House of Lords!

For the past week I have heard EVERYTHING and I am like a kid with auditory processing issues. What shall I listen to? They are ALL interesting???

I am like an owl inclining my neck this way and that to catch all the things I should not be hearing!

Kids will NEVER be able to have hidden conversations again- I can hear the lot!

The dishwasher is so loud it frightens me and don’t even talk about the dryer- that puts me under the table!

But the point is- what to listen to? All these competing sounds and many of them boring so I am paying attention to the interesting ones- like the whispered conversation between the middle aged business man and his secretary on the table next to ours at dinner last night!

No wonder children choose not to listen to us! While I had the wax issues, all I could concentrate on was what I was doing. Now I am an ADHD nightmare going from one inbox DING to the next and eavesdropping on naughty conversations! There is something to learn here but I am too busy listening to the very loud bird noises outside this window and the traffic noise from the highway that I never heard before!

What a very loud world we live in!

Posted on

JIGSAWS- A POWERFUL LEARNING TOOL!

jig 2

I have always loved jigsaw puzzles.

Children learn so much by the manipulation of shapes to create pleasing images.

Recently I watched children complete a simple, colourful jigsaw about the farm.

To complete it they had to think logically and find 4 right-angled corners, border pieces, keep checking the picture and go from large picture to small details. They had to concentrate fully and commit to actually completing the puzzle. So much learning took place!

There were various times when it wasn’t going so well and they had to problem solve and cooperate. There were some cross words as they disagreed on various methods. (It was a large and difficult puzzle for a 3 and 5 year old!)

Finally I watched their increasing concentration and mounting levels of anticipation and excitement as the gaps decreased and the picture came together.

And finally it was done!

One child wanted to rebuild straight away, the other wanted to just enjoy. We are all different!

Then the teacher in me kicked in.
We talked about the content and colours. We counted the animals and talked about the theme of the picture.

It sat on the floor for hours. A proud testament to their ability to stick at something,

Jigsaws are also good for adults. Studies have found that active adults who regularly complete jigsaw puzzles and crosswords experience longer lives and have less chance of developing Alzheimer’s, memory loss, dementia and other problems related to old age.

Dopamine production (crucial for learning and memory) is increased when we do jigsaws. They also increase our concentration, develop creativity and helps us to visualise, lower breath rate, reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
What’s not to like?
Start a jigsaw today!

Posted on

KIDS NEED TO TALK!

Funny child in eyeglasses standing near school chalkboard as aI am reading Maxine McKew’s book: CLASS ACT: Ending the education wars.

What a great honest, hopeful look at education. And what fantastic innovations in schools and amazing principals and teachers highlighted!  http://www.maxinemckew.com.au/

It is a grittily truthful (sometimes brutally so) book that offers a real look into BEST PRACTICE for education and cuts through so much of the meaningless claptrap that surrounds the whole subject of reforming our schools and giving our children the BEST rather than the cheapest and easiest educational practices!

I am at the JOLLY PHONICS conference at the moment and so read with interest the timely reminder from Canberra academic, Misty Adoniou (Quoted by McKew):
“Australia’s scores in international literacy tests aren’t dropping because he students who sit those tests don’t know their sounds. They are performing poorly because they cannot comprehend what they are reading. They have poor vocabularies and cannot follow sentences that employ more complex language structures. They cannot read between the lines. Our low achieving students share one, very telling characteristic. They don’t speak “school English” or standard Australian English, at home. They may speak a language other than English, Aboriginal English, or a creole, or “bogan” English ……But it’s not school English: it isn’t how the teacher speaks and it certainly isn’t what international tests or NAPLAN reward.”
“Adoniou goes on to make the point that it is the schools job to teach standard English so that everyone can participate in the learning that is meant to take place at school, but she notes that many teachers struggle to help the underperformers because of their own limited training in the fundamentals of linguistics- phonetics, semantics, morphology and syntax”.
This is really important as it points the ever-increasing need to make oral language the lynch-pin for literacy in ALL countries. I think our race to teach decoding and basic phonics might at time cloud our judgements here. We need to get these kids TALKING so all this literacy “stuff” can MEAN something. Time for reflection and meaningful examination of classroom practices?

Posted on

FUN SCHOOL by Charlotte 7 years

fun schoolWe should have a cafeteria so we can pick the food we like and and not have to eat yucky sandwiches.
Teachers should not give kids work that is too hard to handle.
We should have a choice about what we do.
We should learn the way we want to learn.
There should be less sport and more fun stuff like puppets and soft toys.
we need teachers who are nice and don’t yell.
I rate my school at 6/7 out of 10.

Posted on

FAIRER REPORTING NEEDED

spot8[1]
It’s that time again! Time to judge the progress of our children and bring a light to the twisty paths of learning for each child. It’s REPORT time.
Language is so important at this time. We can be sharp, critical, negative and judgemental or we can be over-positive and brimming with praise or avoidance of the real issues.
I prefer the middle road. Many years ago I encountered the 2 STARS AND A WISH thinking and have tried to live by that. When asked my opinion of anything at all I like to point out the strengths and the weaknesses as I see them and to also offer CONSTRUCTIVE STEPS TO IMPROVE.
We all need that- what are we doing right? What is wrong? How can we improve?
To write a report we need to really KNOW a child. I have seen so many reports that basically leave parents feeling their child will never be able to excel at ANYTHING and others that simply tell lies and insist all is well when it’s not.
Let’s tell the truth but importantly, let’s tell the WHOLE truth.
Children grow and change and what on earth is the point of making a quick judgement that may become a self-fulfilling prophecy and does not allow for positive change? It is better to stick to the fairer, kinder but honest road and point out strengths first, weaknesses next and then ways to improve.
When we teach we NEVER know who is on the mat in front of us. There might be a future PM of Australia, a future talented inventor, a medical scientist who will find a cure for cancer or a genius master criminal in that squirming, creative mass of children by our knees!
So at this “judgement” time let’s treat them with kindness, care, honesty and positive encouragement.
After reading of what the children of Korea have to endure, their high suicide rate and then watching the revealing and dreadful method of attending “hagwons” or cram schools and sleeping in class I am moved to deep sadness for the children and young people.
Life is not just about success and going to the best university or making loads of money. The value systems inherent in these concepts are empty and twisted. Children need better than this and we know it.
I recently saw a TV program about rich Chinese kids are being taken to weekends of over the top total luxury to get them to crave these creature comforts and the high-life and learn about making money. What on earth will those kids be like when they grow up? Unfortunately we know the answer to this question.
We have parents who ask us not to praise children because it will stop them trying. Many years ago I had a child who was almost suicidal due to this parenting approach and had to have years of therapy to regain a positive approach to life.
We have to stop dumping our sick, valueless and contorted ideas of “success” on children and encourage them to grow, improve and be the person they were meant to be. Children are not designer handbags to be touted about. Go save up for your Louis Vuitton if you want but LOVE, CARE, and RESPECT your child and learn to appreciate them for who they are- not for who you want them to be!
As I begin reports today I will try to keep all these thoughts in front of me and most of all use any criticism to show how we can BUILD not tear down.

Posted on

EQ IN MATHS

Teacher Teaching Maths To Elementary School Pupils

I watched a maths lesson yesterday at ICE.

It involved some pretty difficult 2/3 step problems based around our SPACE theme and Kelli commented quietly to me that we might need some easier examples for some of the children.

I suggested to Kelli that I put together some easier options and she observed for a while and wisely chose the harder option- to help the kids struggle and overcome.

She didn’t just teach them about maths with 2-3 processes- she taught them resilience and determination. Kelli taught them the value of collaboration and that we can All excel when we throw our hearts over the bar.

The children were so proud of themselves and we were all left feeling we had struggled together and WON- a great feeling for teachers AND children!

Well done Kelli- that is MASTER TEACHING!!! A few attitudes were changed and who knows- maybe some career options opened up?

Posted on

HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

20503201

 

 

 

 

 

I am writing this somewhere just north of Australia while idly staring at amazing clouds! As usual up here, ideas flood in because I have created a space- a vacuum for creativity to fill!
So often as teachers we say to children, “Get your head out of the clouds!”
We want kids to be HERE and NOW and with us and not daydreaming but we have taken this too far.
Attention to important things is crucial and we cannot teach effectively without it BUT there must be times when kids have let their attention wander and to wonder, imagine and daydream.
Children who have more time for imagining and daydreaming will be able to think more creatively and generate visual images that help with planning, innovating, seeing new possibilities and writing.
So when can they do this? “Not in MY class!” I can hear you comment! Well- I agree. Not in mine either. BUT – if SOMEONE has let the kids daydream just before I teach them, I have more chance of harnessing their attention and getting them to think creatively.
So, I now always plan a simple, fast art activity just before our skill lessons and it achieves the following:
Helps the kids relax and listen
Allows them to reflect, wonder and process any worrying emotions
Switches on the WHOLE brain so they are ready for new information and problem solving.
Try it. It works. It takes a little time and effort to generate creative activities that don’t take too long but it is ALWAYS worth it! We have set up a Pinterest FAST creative activities so please follow and use!

https://www.pinterest.com/victoriacarlton/fast-artcraft-activities/

 

 

Posted on

Motivation Momentum

 

Teacher-Stickers[1]
I have a new FIT BIT. It essentially monitors my steps, vibrates when I reach 10,000 steps and has made me (In 1 week) walk up stairs instead of escalators, walk twice as far as usual and doggedly walk and walk till I feel that magic vibration on my wrist.
I have been running workshops for teachers and children in Singapore all week, so not so hard to get to 10, 000 steps but I return to Perth today and already planning how I will factor in daily exercise.
The point is, this purchase WORKS because it gave me a vibration on my wrist every night with a congratulations message as well as a MARATHON badge. Anyone who knows my sporting and exercise record would know there is not a lot to speak of but ONE WEEK has changed things. Of course it will now be up to me as to whether I will make lasting changes to my lifestyle and hopefully I will.
If we take that as a successful strategy for behaviour change and apply it to children, some very clear points emerge.
Many people say we should not give external rewards. “Rubbish” I reply to that.
Children LOVE stickers, badges, certificates, the occasional sweet treat and would definitely do their homework if some enterprising person invented a HOMEWORK FIT BIT or read more if they had a READING FIT BIT!
Children want to be recognised and thanked for their hard work. In order to change behaviour we must go back to the Skinner model and make sure we have a sufficient supply of “carrots!”
http://www.livestrong.com/article/105661-behavior-modification
Once the behaviour is changed, the number of carrots can be slightly lessened but never taken away completely.
Would you work for no salary?
I am all for the charts of behaviour, reading books read, stars for good behaviour and achievement and effort certificates. They work!
I care about kids greatly. They are my life’s work and if a few cheap stickers and certificates can change their lives for the better I am on the front of the queue to buy!
Long live the FIT BIT and may someone invent one to motivate kids!

Posted on

MUSIC IS THE SWEETENER FOR LEARNING DIFFICULTIES!

21114525“Just A Spoonful of Sugar Helps The Medicine Go Down In A Most Delightful Way”
Music can help increase learning for children, particularly those with autism and other learning musicdifficulties.
Music activities provide much needed sensory input through mind and body stimulation at the same time to engage learning. A well-designed music programme will stimulate different parts of the brain at once to process rhythm, emotion and movement, while encouraging creativity, experimentation and exploration in a most delightful way!
Music helps the whole child engage both physically and mentally especially in the early stages of reading and decoding text. Because tempo, pitch and beat are crucial elements in learning to read, children who have been exposed to music demonstrate a higher ability to anticipate words, rhythms and concepts when learning to speak, write and read.

Exposure to singing, dancing and playing (a variety of instruments) help to develop and sharpen proper voice control, motor planning and fine-tune fine and gross motor skills.
Children who experience learning difficulties, if encouraged to participate in music lessons, are more easily able to practice and assimilate new concepts in grammar and punctuation .

This is key in allowing the child to engage faster and scaffold their learning more effectively.

Children with learning difficulties, in particular on the Autism spectrum, who are part of a consistent music program also demonstrate increased focus, more voluntary attention, better memory, increased social interaction and greater ownership and enjoyment of their literacy journey.

When a child with learning difficulties experiences success in music, this leads to increased self-esteem, effective fine and gross motor control, a greater awareness of the world around them and better social and communication skills.

Music can also enhance discipline and move a child towards a more positive, affirming attitude while giving them a sense of pride in their work.

Music is a means that enables a child with learning difficulties to show their emotions in a creative, non-verbal way they might not otherwise be able to express. Where once there was frustration anxiety, unhappiness, struggle and resulting behavioural difficulties, music is the spoonful of medicine that provides healing for a child experiencing learning difficulties and gives them a sense of achievement and purpose!

Posted on

FIND THE FUN by Kelli Gander, Guest Blogger

Find The Fun

You can’t argue wPreschool childrenith Mary Poppins, who we all know is ‘practically perfect in every-way’ and there is more than one lesson to be learned from the timeless tale she has to tell. This one, for me as an educator, is the most important of all.
In every job that must be done
There is an element of fun
you find the fun and snap!
The job’s a game
This has become my teaching mantra and I endeavor to ‘find the fun’ in every lesson that I teach. Imagine if kids got excited about the times tables, eager about spelling, enthusiastic about parts of speech! Learning does not have to equal boring, we just have to find the fun for our students.
How do we do this? The same way that Mary Poppins did, with a game! Games not only provide the hands on experience that children need to be effective learners but also makes even the most boring concept a whole lot more exciting.
A simple pack of cards becomes a speed game to make number bonds to 10 or a spirited competition to multiply the face values. Older children use them to learn about adding, subtracting, regrouping and multiplying. Younger children use them to sort, match, do shape work and learn 1-1 correspondence. Games do not need to cost you money either, there are so many fantastic sites where enthusiastic and dedicated teachers post and share their amazing, free ideas, on how to create that ‘element of fun’.
A treasure map is a perfect way to teach children about prepositions. Lego is an awesome way to learn about volume and measurement and you would not believe what can be done with a paper plate in terms of fractions and equivalent fractions!
We often do this naturally with younger children but our older ones do not outgrow this need for ‘fun’. In actual fact, the sometimes dry topics that are curriculum essentials, would receive much greater benefit from applying a ‘games based’ approach.
So step away from that smart board. Put down those worksheets and open your mind to games. We know it worked for Huckleberry Finn, when he managed to cleverly persuade his friends to trade him small treasures for the privilege of doing his work! Just find that element of fun and snap! The job’s a game.