Part 1: Teachers Celebrating Their Students' Writing
08/25/24 • 34 min
In this special episode of the podcast, Sharon welcomes guests Tamara Biddle and Hayley Allen from Mount Barker South Primary School to discuss their innovative approach to fostering writing skills among Foundation Year students. Tamara, a foundation teacher with a decade of experience in early childhood education, and Hayley, a student support officer with a diverse background, share their successful strategies for creating a vibrant writing culture in their classroom.
Tamara begins by recounting her journey from childcare to teaching, highlighting her focus on early years education. Hayley adds her unique perspective, detailing her transition from teaching swimming to becoming an SSO and the collaborative dynamic she shares with Tamara. Together, they illuminate their approach to embedding writing deeply into their classroom culture.
The conversation delves into their method of initiating writing experiences through a series of class books, starting with simple name books and expanding to a variety of themes such as “When I Grow Up” and “Caring for Country.” These books, created with the children’s input, not only boost their ownership but also enhance their reading engagement. The duo discusses how these books are used throughout the day, fostering a sense of community and individual authorship among the students.
Listeners learn about the practical aspects of their program, including the use of various writing tools and resources, and how students are encouraged to create their own books during free time. Tamara and Hayley emphasise the importance of blending reading and writing activities, showing how early literacy skills are supported through engaging and meaningful projects.
As the episode wraps up, Sharon and the guests reflect on the profound impact this approach has had on the students’ confidence and creativity, showcasing a successful model for integrating writing and reading in early education.
TEACHIFIC RESOURCES
JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!
- Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube
- Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
- Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
- Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
- Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
- Explore upcoming live or online webinar events
In this special episode of the podcast, Sharon welcomes guests Tamara Biddle and Hayley Allen from Mount Barker South Primary School to discuss their innovative approach to fostering writing skills among Foundation Year students. Tamara, a foundation teacher with a decade of experience in early childhood education, and Hayley, a student support officer with a diverse background, share their successful strategies for creating a vibrant writing culture in their classroom.
Tamara begins by recounting her journey from childcare to teaching, highlighting her focus on early years education. Hayley adds her unique perspective, detailing her transition from teaching swimming to becoming an SSO and the collaborative dynamic she shares with Tamara. Together, they illuminate their approach to embedding writing deeply into their classroom culture.
The conversation delves into their method of initiating writing experiences through a series of class books, starting with simple name books and expanding to a variety of themes such as “When I Grow Up” and “Caring for Country.” These books, created with the children’s input, not only boost their ownership but also enhance their reading engagement. The duo discusses how these books are used throughout the day, fostering a sense of community and individual authorship among the students.
Listeners learn about the practical aspects of their program, including the use of various writing tools and resources, and how students are encouraged to create their own books during free time. Tamara and Hayley emphasise the importance of blending reading and writing activities, showing how early literacy skills are supported through engaging and meaningful projects.
As the episode wraps up, Sharon and the guests reflect on the profound impact this approach has had on the students’ confidence and creativity, showcasing a successful model for integrating writing and reading in early education.
TEACHIFIC RESOURCES
JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!
- Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube
- Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
- Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
- Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
- Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
- Explore upcoming live or online webinar events
Previous Episode
Part 3: Education Great - Garth Boomer
In this third part of the "Education Great" podcast series, Garth Boomer delivers a powerful closing address titled "Making it Explicit, Making it Possible." Boomer opens with a stark reflection on the harsh realities of the world, cautioning educators against being swept away by the temporary excitement of conferences, and reminding them of the challenges that await in their everyday professional lives. He emphasises the importance of making the implicit explicit in education—ensuring that the hidden dynamics of power and influence in classrooms are brought to the forefront.
Boomer delves into the concept of power, challenging the notion that it can be handed over or shared by teachers with their students. Instead, he argues that power is a complex force that flows through interactions between people, institutions, and ideas. He warns that teachers who believe they can empower students may actually be reinforcing their own power, rather than genuinely liberating their students.
He further critiques the individualistic approach to education, advocating for a more socially interactive classroom environment where learning is seen as a collective endeavour. Boomer highlights the dangers of rigidly adhering to educational theories and methods, urging educators to remain adaptable and to re-theorise their practices in response to the dynamic nature of the classroom.
The address concludes with a call for teachers to recognise and navigate the cultural barriers that can exclude students, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. Boomer's narrative is a compelling reminder of the complexities of teaching and the need for educators to be both reflective and proactive in their approach to fostering an inclusive and empowering learning environment.
TEACHIFIC RESOURCES
- In Search of a Universal Literacy Program - by Garth Boomer
- Practical Steps to Take in the Literacy Classroom - based on the ideas of Garth Boomer
JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!
- Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube
- Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
- Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
- Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
- Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
- Explore upcoming live or online webinar events
Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at
Next Episode
Part 2: Teachers Celebrating Their Students’ Writing
In the second instalment of the podcast series "Teachers Celebrating Their Students’ Writing," Sharon, Phil, Tamara and Hayley dive into the process of how young Foundation learners transition from recognising words to actively using them in their writing. The episode explores the practical methods teachers employ to reinforce phonics, such as using digraphs like "CK" in words like "back," "duck," and "kick," integrating these into morning messages and playful, decodable sentences that students find amusing and memorable.
The discussion highlights the importance of connecting reading and writing in daily routines. The team describe how structured morning activities help students settle into learning, fostering a sense of accomplishment and readiness for the day's word work. By focusing on a specific sound each day, students practise reading, writing, and identifying these sounds in books, which not only reinforces their learning but also brings a sense of discovery and excitement into the classroom.
A key theme of the episode is the emphasis on student choice and creativity, particularly in writing. Teachers explain how allowing students to choose topics for nonfiction reports or create their own books, both in school and at home, empowers them to take ownership of their learning. This approach has even led to students creating books outside of class, with families contributing to their children's writing projects.
The narrative also touches on the inclusive nature of the classroom, where students of varying abilities are supported and encouraged to participate at their own level. Whether through drawing, tracing, or scribing, every child is recognised as a reader and writer, fostering a community where each student’s progress is celebrated.
This episode encapsulates the joy and growth experienced in a classroom where writing is not just an academic exercise but a vibrant, creative outlet for every student.
TEACHIFIC RESOURCES
JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!
- Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Tune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTube
- Read our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.
- Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.
- Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.
- Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook group
- Explore upcoming live or online webinar events
Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at
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