Tania's Professional Learning Blog

Reading for enjoyment - Learning with Jill Eggleton and Heather Haylock Attending professional development with Jill Eggleton and Heather Haylock,  renowned experts in literacy education, can indeed be transformative for educators, especially in New Zealand. Here are some reasons why you might feel inspired to teach literacy after such an experience: Deepened Understanding of Literacy Development:  provide insights into the stages of literacy development, including phonemic awareness, vocabulary acquisition, comprehension strategies, and fluency development. Effective Instructional Strategies:  introduce innovative and research-based instructional strategies that engage students and foster a love for reading and writing. These strategies can range from interactive read-aloud techniques to guided reading practices tailored to individual student needs. Emphasis on Cultural Relevance:  In a diverse educational landscape like New Zealand, understanding the importance of ...

I've introduced a challenge board for my class during Maths and Literacy sessions. The goal is to empower my little learners to take charge of their own learning and develop independence. This approach should reduce the need for constant guidance, allowing them to progress at their own pace. The activities will change weekly. Take a look at the digital version and let me know what you think! Open to hear any feedback!! Implementing a challenge board during Maths and Literacy sessions can offer numerous advantages: Fostering Independence: Encourages students to take initiative and responsibility for their learning, promoting independence and self-reliance. Empowering Students: Gives students a sense of control over their learning journey, enhancing their confidence and motivation to tackle tasks. Minimising Teacher Interruptions: Reduces the need for constant teacher direction, allowing educators to focus on facilitating deeper learning experiences and providing targeted support whe...

During our Literacy time we met our new reading buddies for 2024. We all sat together and discussed how their different personalities might be and each got a special name. The students were so excited to build a relationship with their reading buddies.  Let's meet them: Frankie - the pepper frankenstein: he loves to listen to stories and can be a bit playful sometimes. Love Heart - the pink elephant: she has a heart full of love and think her reading buddy is the best reader and writer in the world. Sparkles is our kind-hearted dog: he will make sure nobody disturbs you when you are reading. Simba - strong willed lion: he will read along with you to make sure you are on the right track. Isabella - our trying turtle: she will motivate and encourage you until you are confident. Last but definitely not the least - Mr Crabs, the lobster: he can see everything anywhere in the class, he will make sure you show integrity.                   ...

Many teachers don't realise how hard writing is, especially for kids. I was one of those teachers and thought with enough practice every day, they will eventually 'get' it. I learned a lot about in my journey with the Science of Reading, structured literacy and BSLA approach as well as workshops with Liz Kane how we learn and teach, especially in writing. After reading this blogpost it is all making sense and I will change my practice to assist my young learners in their literacy journey. As a teacher, I'd show the students how to write, they'd try, and we'd move on. I didn't realise how much they need to learn before they can write well. Students would draw and scribble letters, and I'd praise their efforts. But I didn't think much about what they really needed to learn. I should have spent more time teaching them the basics of writing, instead of squeezing it in with everything else. Now I know better, and I'll focus more on helping them build...

As I prepare to welcome new young learners to our school, it's crucial to acknowledge and tackle the challenges many of our students may encounter in terms of school readiness, aligning with the principles of the New Zealand Curriculum. Recent findings shed light on a concerning trend: a significant number of pupils lack the foundational skills necessary for success at Level 1 of the New Zealand Curriculum. Through my exploration of this issue within the context of Aotearoa, the following concerns have surfaced: An examination of readiness conducted by the Education Review Office (ERO) on June 22, 2023, revealed persistent challenges stemming from the impacts of Covid-19, including Long Covid, on schools and learning. Despite the expectation that early years pupils should possess essential social skills and basic literacy and numeracy abilities, such as sharing, following instructions, and maintaining focus, the study uncovered notable gaps in preparedness. Additionally, local rese...