Teaching and Learning
Learning Talks
Mathematics
During Term 2 the staff participated in Professional Development with a focus on creating opportunities for students to talk about their thinking and strategies in Mathematics.
We are working together to create a 'dialogic classroom culture' where children share their ideas, thinking, and strategies, in order for others to;
- clarify their thinking
- build on their thinking
- refine their thinking
- change their thinking
Throughout the Professional Development sessions teachers have discussed how students 'Learning Talks' in Mathematics could also be transferable and applied within other curriculum areas; Literacy, LLF, RE, Physical Education, LOTE etc
Literacy
Following on from Jill's work with the staff on building dialogic classroom culture, the staff have been working in their levelled teams to find organic opportunities for talk. In some classes this has been using thinking tools in small groups, having rigorous conversations about texts being explored or simply allocating time in their planners for talk about how we can be a good friend.
Research suggests that the more language and words we acquire, the more successful we will become in later life. As a learning and teaching team we want all children to have the language to question, analyse and critique. To do this all children need the opportunity to practise. Conversations around the dinner table, in the car and as you are tucking your child in for the night are all ways we communicate daily.
Over the holidays you may find you have a little more time and would like some meaningful ways to engage with your child and to build their language skills. Here are some ideas;
- Read a book that your child is reading - talk about it with them, the themes, the characters, their opinion of the book.
- See a movie together - can you see yourself in any of the characters, why/why not?
- Share some family stories or stories about yourself growing up.
- Listen to a podcast together (or separately) and discuss what you have learned or if your opinion about the topic has changed
- Flick through some family photos/videos together. What do they remember? Encourage questions about the photos and time for them to make connections
Follow the link below to look at some of the special events (some are free) being held in and around the city these school holidays. Having a special day out creates memories that children love to talk about and also exposes them to new vocabulary. Remember to talk about the special event with your child long after it has passed.