The CRT Resource Challenge!

Heather over at the Rowville CRT Network blog occasionally throws up a thinking challenge for her members and I think challenges like that are a great idea.  Having just concluded our Network's February monthly meeting it was time to decide on what to do for the next one.  Drawing on Heather's inspiration I decided to base our March meeting on a challenge. 

The idea was to encourage our members to just go crazy and explore the extent of their skills, use that to drive the 2.5 hr Meeting's discussion and, hopefully, end up with some resources to stick up on our Skydrive to help everyone populate their CRT toolkit with some really useful, and adaptable, lessons and activities.

And then I sort of thought, why stop there?  Ours is only one network of 26 and I'm sure there's a lot of CRTs out there who don't belong to Networks that have plenty of good things to show us too!

Simply pick the first random thing you come across in your everyday life that you could build a bunch of lessons or activities around!  Just one base resource and see how flexible you can make it and just squeeze every last piece of learning you can out of it.

Just go crazy!

To get the ball rolling I'm going to continue on from a blog post about finding a page on Pears out of a Woolworths catalogue and provide some examples of the many ways I could think of to use it in a classroom setting!  These are still "works in progress" but I'll get them finalized (and add more) as the month wears on.

My chosen resource:

 

Pro Forma examples (PDF for Acrobat Reader, also viewable/printable online through Skydrive): 

Science idea I still don't have a writeup for yet:

 

As usual I've gone a little berzerk and jumped right into it with both feet like I usually do when I'm on a roll. Remember that this isn't a game of "keeping up with the Jonses" and everyone's contribution matters, no matter how much free time you have to devote to it! If it takes you a week, a month, a year? Whether you produce a lot or one tight and bulletproof lesson plan that uses up 2 hours in a productive way? That's just fine!

Note; don't forget that the sidebar is full of useful links to other sources of inspiration like Teacher blogs, Youtube channels and handy resource sites!

If you would like to share your work when you are done, send it in to us and we'll put it on our Skydrive in a public folder.  People get access to your ideas to populate their CRT toolkit, you get access to theirs to do the same!

Full lesson plans, pro formas, dot point ideas, "thought webs" and everything else are just fine.  If you can include the basic resource then feel free to include it in some form.  Scan it, take a picture of it, if you have based it on a book include the ISBN number orif you used a Youtube video then include a link.

Will you need help building pro formas etc?  Well, we'll even help you with that if we have the time.

An archive of free lesson plans, pro formas and ideas by CRTs for CRTs!  Let's give it a go!

Technical resources;

Finding it hard to make or type your own lesson plans or pro formas?  As CRTs we often aren't supplied with computers or laptops so don't have access to the same whiz-bang software that our full-time counterparts do.  Although we use Microsoft Office ourselvs to keep us compatible with the Victorian Education system's computers, we recommend Apache OpenOffice as a free yet powerful and easy to learn alternative to commercial office suites if you just can't afford to be shelling out all of those dollars!

You can then use the free Bullzip PDF Printer to turn it into the reliable, multi-platform PDF format!

Submissions and contacting us;

If you wish to share, simply email your dicuments (or Zip file) as attachments to Wodongacrt@vit.vic.edu.au. In the body of the email please include who you would like them credited to (or simply tell us you wish to remain anonymous), the year levels it's intended for (Primary, Secondary, VCE, Grades 7-9 as examples) and a shortlist of curriculum areas you are covering.

Don't hesitate to just email or leave a comment on this post if you have any questions or comments either!

Australian National Standards:

Please keep in mind that the new National Professional Standards for Teachers places a heavy emphasis on self reflection, seeking advice from colleagues and engaging with colleagues through professional networking to improve practice and identify professional learning needs. Part of the idea of this challenge is to kick start the expansion of your professional network to make all of that a lot easier in the long run!

Regards,

Mel.

Pearing it down to effective!

It's my daughter's job to bring in the mail from the letter box and she loves finding catalogues, newspapers and the occassional letter.  We sit on the couch with the catalogues, one of my kids sitting either side of me, looking through the colourful pages of items you can buy.

My eyes lit up the other day as it came to the fruit and vegie section of a supermarket catalogue (yes, I can be a bit odd like that).  The local Woolworths Supermarket had a full page spread on pears in one of their "Fresh Food Update" segments.  It showed different varieties of pear, photos of each, decription of each and the times when they are in season.  A full colour page of information for nothing!!  And all I had to do was grab a couple of extra catalogues at my local supermarket when I was in.

So simple and yet so much to teach with.  Foods come in different varieties even when they are the "same thing".  Different varieties can have different shapes, different colours, different textures and so on.  Fruit also has a "season" and the seasons vary between the varieties.  The different varieties also cost different amounts depending on whether they are in season and the like.

These pages are great for planning lessons around because there is so much you can do with something like this.  You could make informational text questions and activities for the students.  You could complete a graph on when varieties are in season, or a survey of which pears students eat.  There is room to complete a decriptive piece using adjectives, art with use of colour, shapes and different drawing mediums can be used.   The list is endless and it cost me nothing for the base resource, it just turned up in my letterbox!  It's even in colour!!

The thing I love about these kinds of classroom activities (apart from free resources of course) is that they offer life lessons to go along with their school work.  While they learn about writing, spelling, the seasons and the like, they also learn a skill that's practical in nature.  Not all pears are the same, in season fruit is less expensive than out of season fruit and the like.  

On top of this, when the students visit the local supermarket or fruit market with their parents, it will give them a new perspective on what they see.  Many of them will reflect back on the lesson when seeing mounds of fruit and vegetables trigger memories of the lesson.  They will also become inquisitive because, although they can see the pears that they learnt about, they also see apples, bananas, beans, peas and carrots which they didn't.  Their minds branch out like little trees, with new branches sprouting as they naturally wonder whether these things have a season like Pears do, whether they come in different varieties like pairs do, do they come in different shapes and sizes like pears do.

It's using Life Lessons to encourage student reflection and further exploration of the world they live in.

Not only life lessons can be used in this way.  I am very particular of using elements of play in my lessons for the same reasons.  A classroom craft activity or lesson that has elements that will be incorporated into everyday play provide the same memory trigger for student reflection.

Why don't you have a go at thinking outside the box and see what you come up with that would trigger Student Reflection in their everyday lives!

Mel

Schools acknowledging student behaviour

As a CRT, I love walking in and out of different schools and different classrooms.  Working with different teachers gives me a better understanding of the wide variety of planning documents and activities that are used, not to mention the wide range of classroom set ups, language used and routines.  It allows me to pick and choose from the best on offer to integrate into my own teaching practice.

Student acknowledgement is something that is also different, but at the same time very alike, in schools.  In the past, students were acknowledged for their academic achievements through certificates at assemblies. This, of course, hasn't stopped happening but in recent years schools have again started to acknowledge how students conduct themselves in and out of the school.  It is now within a more positive framework than the old "rap across the knuckles for being bad" approach in bygone days.

Acknowledging students in their everyday achievements is something I come across in the majority of schools I work in.  Most often through a ticket system and in each school, even though the same generic system is known by a number of names depending on it's focus.  "Purple Moments", "BOBs" (Being Our Best), "Way To Gos" and "Gotchas" are a couple I have come across.

In some schools there are different areas that you can acknowledge students in.  They are usually in the areas of being safe, being a productive learner and making good choices in relation to behaviour. These schools have taken these three areas and made rules around them as one of the steps in their positive behaviour management strategy.  They are not your normal rules in that they don't start with "don't".  There is a positive spin on all these rules.

Some teachers may remember the 6:1 rule.  6 positive comments before a negative.  This is not an easy task but to be able to acknowledge something small in a student's schooling shows them that something doesn't have to be big to be good or worthwhile. That they don't have to do something big to be acknowledged

So the next time you walk through a school for work, have a look for how students are acknowledged.  You might find matrices and displays of student achievements in colour on walls and listen to the language used by the students and the certificates awarded at assembles. You will find that if you take these on board it will help you keep on track with the 6:1 rule and help you maintain a generally happier classroom!  Using them will also provide a consistency between the class' normal teacher and yourself, providing a sense of familiarity in your teaching even though you are a CRT. This familiar aspect will help accelerate the students becoming comfortable with you as their teacher.

For further reading;
The PBS (Positive Behaviour Support) Facilitators Manual 


Mel.

VIT PRT Seminars

VIT have posted their PRT (Provisionally Registrated Teachers) Seminars throughout Victoria.  Regional Victoria has been covered extensively with Wodonga and Sheppaton on the list to host seminars.

This is a really important seminar as the requirements to gain your full registration has changed as of the 1st of January 2013.  These seminars will step you through the new process, giving you support and answers to any questions you may have.  Always remember you are not alone!

The Wodonga PRT Seminar is scheduled for Wednesday 8 May 2013.  Full details can be viewed here.

The Shepparton PRT Seminar is schedualed for Monday 20 May 2013.  Full details can be viewed here.

If you are looking for another location, you can view the full list of seminars here.

Regards,

Mel Lichnovsky-Klock

Zart Art; Ideas and Product Presentation PD Opportunity

Zart Art are a company that specialise in Art activities and resources for teachers.  They had different workshops through out Victoria for teachers to attend.  They also hold free one and a half hour workshops.  Wodonga is not hosting one of these PDs and if you are interested, the closest venue is Shepparton.

 'Our consultants visit schools and educational facilities assisting in product knowledge, curriculum advice, activities and updating on new materials and products.'

 Details are below, with all contact details. 

Shepparton
Date:	Wednesday 20 February 2013
Time:	4.30pm–6.00pm
Consultant:	Tania Di Berardino
Venue:	St Georges Road Primary School
Address:	120 St Georges Road, Shepparton
RSVP	zes@zartart.com.au

Please note: When emailing to reserve your seat at zes@zartart.com.au please put in the subject line; Ideas and Product Presentation: Shepparton 20/2/2013 or you can phone Zart Art on (03) 9890 1867.

There are many workshops running throughout Victoria.  Visit here to see if there is one running near you!

Regards,

Mel Lichnovsky-Klock
Wodonga CRT Support Network Co-ordinator

Calling for your support!

I have been contacted by two individuals looking for regional CRTs input into their research.  

Kathryn Jenkins, a lecturer from the University of New England in NSW, is looking for CRTs to participate in a research survey she is conducting.

'This study will explore the support gained and challenges provided for casual teachers, as well as their professional learning.'

In her letter (attached below) she is looking for CRTs under the age of 40 but would also like to hear from rural and regional CRTs outside of this age group.  In other words, drop her an email and have a chat to her about your experiences as a CRT!




Daryl Brooks, Executive Trainer of InThync Professional Training, has also written asking for your assistance.  InThync are trying to plan PD for 2013 and are looking at expanding their PD scheduling to include regional areas this year.

'An important part of our 2013 planning is to continue to design and deliver programs that are requested by teachers at the chalkface, that impact positively on their teaching and their students’ learning experience – relationship, impact and outcome.

To enable us to better assist you with your particular professional learning interests and requirements, please take just a few minutes to click on the link below and answer just 8 short questions about your professional learning “wish-list” for 2013.'

The following link will take you to the survey;  

ttps://www.surveymonkey.com/s/APLTreeDec2012

 

Regards,

Mel Lichnovsky-Klock
Wodonga CRT Support Network Co-ordinator

2013 is here!

Hello everyone!

The new year is now underway and so are we. We have announcements to make about our first meeting and first PD of 2013!

Literacy Block

Facilitating an effective 2 hour literacy block in an early years clasroom

A literacy PD with presenter Britt Hartley
  Thursday 28 February 2013 - 4.30pm - 7pm.

[Presenter Bio to come]

If you have not booked with us before, please read the "booking for beginners" page of this blog.

Time: Thursday 28 February 2013, 4.30pm - 7pm (Please note the change of time)

Booking status;  Bookings are open.  **Waiting List Only**
                             Bookings will close Tuesday 26 February 2013 .

Pdi approval; View here (2.5 hours).

 Part One: How to run a reading session with a particular focus on teaching strategies such as guided reading and shared/modelled reading.

 Part Two: How to run a writing hour with particular focus on teaching strategies such as modelled shared writing, small group interactive writing and guiding writing.

Please see here for full details.

February Meeting

The first Wodonga CRT Support Network meeting for 2013 is scheduled for Wednesday the 13th of February 2013, 4.00pm - 6.30pm.

It is open to all network members whether you are a CRT, Beginning and Returning Teacher or on Family Leave. No booking is required but we would like you to RSVP by Tuesday the 12th so we know how many nibbles and drinks to supply. Walk-ins without RSVP are welcome, just be aware it means you might have to bring your own snacks!

As usual, the duration of this meeting is considered valid submissions for the purposes of VIT PD requirements to maintain registration!

Cost: Gold Coin entry.

Venue: Wodonga South Primary School Library, Cartwright St Wodonga.

You can find full details here.

We have also updated the Monthly Meetings page to include all meeting dates up until June 2013!


Regards,

Melinda Lichnovsky-Klock
Wodonga CRT Support Network Coordinator.