On Saturday 19th May teachers from Department for Education and Catholic Education schools attended our 'Word Work in Action' Master Class. There was some very positive feedback from participants on their key learnings/ insights gained from the session. Denise Alderman (UniSA) and Sharon Callen (Teachific Literacy), both very experienced teachers and presenters, engaged, informed and entertained for 3 and a half hours. Here is a selection of the feedback from teachers:
- Teacher 1 Insights: Easy to use strategies to gain student engagement and enjoyment of spelling. Translation to Action: Personal Word Wall folder, meaningful word work activities, use of student high frequency words, new and interesting word/phrases pusters
- Teacher 2 Insights: Where do I start? I always find these sessions engaging, informative (and entertaining!) This session particularly linked to a focus I have in my class, about vocabulary and word work, and I felt it could have been specifically talking about my class! Both presenters always talk about relevant 'in action' activities/approaches for 'real' classes. Translation to Action: Some of the strategies discussed fit exactly what my students are needing, so I'll be trying some of these over the next 2 weeks. This has also given me some thinking points that I'll be reflecting on in my planning for literacy over the next month . . . it's been so valuable.
- Teacher 3 Insights: The different approaches to vocabulary gathering and use. The 'words to learn' etc for strugglers. Use of word games to focus on, and to build on their knowledge. Making big books of their work, and more! Translation to Action: Each day, before literacy, to play 'Word-O' to stimulate interest (as we do for maths with Quick Maths). Use the big book to collect students' work, and use in the class (Writing ,spalling, poetry etc). Using the lists in their Readers/Writers Notebooks to refer to each day (as we do with the Reading Logs and reflections). Lots of ideas!
- Teacher 4 Insights: Thanks, the ideas relating to better ways of approaching spelling. Biggest gain personally: at least two new/different activities - Word-O and Hink Pink. Both are on the list for this week. Translation to Action: Immediate us of the above activities. My boys especially will benefit from these activities.
- Teacher 5 Insights: Ways to help engage students in literacy. Making connections between all elements of literacy more effectively in the class. Translation to Action: Excellent! I have so many great leads to follow into my planning. Felling inspired :)
- Teacher 6 Insights: Putting spelling/ word work into meaningful contexts to help engagement. Translation to Action: Expanding vocabulary - thesaurus study etc, words to learn lists, Hink Pinks for creative writing.
- Teacher 7 Insights: Implementing word work into the reading and writing block, rather than a stand alone session. Translation to Action: Investigating more words and strategies as a class.
- Teacher 8 Insights: Reinforced what I am doing is right on track. Personal Word walls - vary these. New word work strategies - particularly Word-O and Hink Pinks. Translation to Action: Word Wall desk folders for Yr 2's, and similar but created as interesting words/phrases for Yr 3's in their writing. Set up Personal Word Walls.
- Teacher 9 Insights: Lots of different ideas/strategies to take into class. Translation to Action: As a TRT, lots of activities and ideas for when I have a class.
- Teacher 10 Insights: Meaningful context between spelling, writing and reading. Translation to Action: Incorporate more 'game' type learning to engage learners further in literacy learning.
- Teacher 11 Insights: I have learned some very engaging strategies. I loved the strategies: Word O, Hink Pinks, Word Theatre, High Frequency Word strategy. Translation to Action: I will incorporate the 'Word-O' strategy into my daily literacy rotation. I also hope to use Personal Word Walls. Hink Pinks.
- Teacher 12 Insights: Different strategies to introduce to students. Ways to teach word solving without a worksheet. Translation to Action: These activities can be used and altered for any year level during TRT days. Encourage learning in fun ways to keep students engaged with a new teacher.
- Teacher 13 Insights: Ways to make spelling engaging for all students. Translation to Action: Will be using the strategies such as Words-To-Learn list and the word games, e.g. Word-O
- Teacher 14 Insights: The curriculum continuum is really useful, thankyou. Helping my children make meaning of words. Practical, engaging tasks to develop spelling and vocabulary. Translation to Action: I will be making space in the room for the 'New and Interesting Words' and 'New and Interesting Phrases' this week.
- Teacher 15 Insights: Strategies to improve engagement and learning in terms of spelling, in connection with reading and writing. Translation to Action: As a TRT, I've got new ideas to fill in the gaps when lessons (by teachers) are finished ahead of time. Word-O and Hink Pink are good strategies to keep them engaged and develop their critical thinking skills.
- In General:
- This was a great PD.
- Thank you for a very informative morning.
- Continue to provide the great workshops that you have been.
- I'm going to access the Teachific website to find some of the resources.
- Keep it up.
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