The importance of teaching not telling
If learning is an active process, what does that mean for me as the teacher and what is my role in the classroom?
How are we going to manage talking and listening?
Talking and listening in the classroom is really the bread and butter of what we do as teachers and learners. While we, the formal assessors, together with the world at large (including parents), might value the written word over talk, and certainly accept the written word for evidence of learning (appropriately constructed, of course), it…
6 practices that should be in your mathematical repertoire
Programming your practices As the year draws to an end for most schools, planning for 2019 is beginning already. I thought it would be good to highlight some of the ‘buzz words’, concepts or ideas that are having an impact in mathematics classrooms. When planning for mathematics at this time of the year, spend the…
Dialogic teaching and talking about writing
Dialogic teaching, a term created by Dr Robin Alexander in the early 2000s, harnesses the power of talk to stimulate and extend students’ thinking and advance their learning and understanding.
Do we need specialist maths teachers in primary schools? Definitely not
Students need all teachers and carers in their lives across their schooling life to be passionate about mathematics, its usefulness and its beauty, and every students’ ability to improve in mathematics. Only when all our attitudes towards mathematics change will we see students’ confidence and choices regarding mathematics change.
“Does anyone have…?” No, go fish!
Finding appropriate resources and lesson ideas for the mathematics classroom can be one of the many challenges for both beginning and experienced teachers.
Investing in our students
It seems ridiculous to have to state that one of the most important investments we can make as teachers is in our students. Stating the obvious, one would think. Maybe so …
Teachers and Teaching – Part 2
A reflection on NESA’s My Teaching Impact PL that was broadcast as a live webinar panel discussing current issues in teaching.
Making connections in mathematics
There has been some debate recently around the notion of an ‘over-crowded curriculum’ in NSW. The mathematics K-6 syllabus with its 250+ pages may be one of the first documents to come under fire for having too much content…
Becoming literate
Becoming literate is not simply about knowledge and skills. Certain behaviours and dispositions assist students to become effective learners who are confident and motivated to use their literacy skills broadly.