Jeanne and Fred Biddulph and family...take a bow!

How slow is this? 27 years after research proved that parents and children reading together improved whanau relationships and reading ability in children, Maori education in the ministry has picked up the well-researched and well-proven, programme, Jeanne Biddulph and family have made their life focus! "Thank God, they have", was my comment. At last, more families and whanau will get the opportunities to improve their `lot`! Particularly, here in Rotorua, NZ.
Can`t wait to get started. Even though I teach at a high decile rated school, there will be some very happy folk once we get the programme up and running. Brilliant!
Thankyou so much Biddulph`s, for having the good-old Kiwi, number-8 wire ethos and sticking with it, irrespective of what the ministry thought!!

Go, go, Toe by toe

Kids who have been working on Toe by toe, are moving in their ability to decode. Not accelerated in every case, but, moving noticeably. Congratulations to them for their hard work and also, to their Year 5 and 6 coaches who are enjoying the opportunity to improve their literacy knowledge in working with others.

Bravo 4D Dyslexia foundation

After spending 4 hours at a workshop on Dyslexia run by Britain`s Neil McKay, I am feeling grateful that I had the chance to attend. It was organised by the Dyslexia foundation of NZ - 4D who are getting on with it. Thank goodness.
He gave us some fantastic, usable techniques to work with all children, including those who have dyslexic-like characteristics and ways of thinking.
More to come later.

Go, go ERO

habits of mind, of behaviour, of thinking...

Becoming so entranced with habits of mind...and all that they hold... It`s a little funny though...just found some old school reports and in 1957 in P.4 (work that one out you youngies) I was given a 2 = above average in stability, 1=outstanding in co-operation, 2=independence and 2=perseverance. The following year in S.1 the personal qualities mentioned at the top of the report were, stability of character, co-operation with the group, independence of character, perseverance in the work, neatness and care in working. We got it right in some aspects back then huh?

Great start

I have just realised it`s a sunset!!!
Ha ha!

Back on board (so as to speak)

Just had a really good read of the solo taxonomies....fallen in love with the graphic organisers of Eric Fraggenhiem (spelling??).
Having a great time with learning with the kids about the diversities of these graphic organisers and how they can be used.
Blown away with the presentations of the gifted and talented year 4 students at present. They are working on life of NZders who have faced hard time, followed a passion, worked for others...habits of mind...brilliant.
Well, now i`ve found where to post something, i`ll do it more often.
Carpe diem
Wendy:)