Learning News

Performing Arts and 1S

Our Grade Prep, One and Two students love Performing Arts because it gives them a chance to play, act and perform in a safe learning environment. We act, improvise, exaggerate to bring stories and scenes to life. Sometimes we use props to help our imaginations run wild. The Arts help boost students' confidence, life skills and creativity.

 

 

Writer's Workshop - Professional Learning 

We have embarked on a writing learning journey, led by an external consultant, Deb Sukarna, who has a wealth of experience and knowledge with evidenced based practices. 

A few weeks ago, the Prep to Year 2 teachers and the Years 3-6 teachers were released to observe Deb teach a class in each level - not an easy feat to release up to 8 teachers in one session.

This modelling was invaluable - observing Deb use the practices which we had already been introduced to in Term 1. Following this modelling, teams of teachers engaged in a 2 hour debrief. This discussion was integral for learning; asking questions for clarification or confirmation, setting up consistent practices in using 'seeds' for ideas to promote thinking, drilling down the purpose for writing and discussing the practices when conferencing with students in Prep to Year 2 and Years 3 to 6. 

As the students' complexities in writing purposes and skills increase, the focus within a conference with the teacher is crucial for feedback.

 

In Prep to Year 2, feedback is based on indicators for emerging and developing writers.

  1. Giving students lots of opportunities to talk about their purpose so they know what they want to write about and that their writing makes sense.
  2. Demonstrating to students how to develop their skills in representing sounds in words.
  3. Model writing in sentences, short and long.
  4. Students can reread their writing.
  5. Demonstrate how we can add to writing to enhance the meaning.

Feedback is based on 3 levels in Years 3-6. 

  1. Whole text level -focussing on the purpose for writing to ensure the message is clear and concise.
  2. Sentence level -varying words and a combination of simple and complex sentences.
  3. Proof-reading level- students drill down on use of punctuation, adding or changing punctuation and check spelling.

At present, we are embedding what we have learnt into our writing lessons, and will discuss the process and progress at facilitated planning at team levels. This will also provide us with opportunities to analyse students' writing, 'hunt for the good' to coin one of Deb's phrases, and plan the next learning steps for students so they can learn to regulate their writing skills, rather than depending on an adult to 'correct' their writing. I look forward to sharing the next development in this writing learning journey with you all next term.

 

Year 3-6 team debriefing with Deb
Year 3-6 team debriefing with Deb
Deb modelling a writing session with a 'cast of thousdands' observing and taking notes
Deb modelling a writing session with a 'cast of thousdands' observing and taking notes