Helen Maynard – Director of Studies K-6

Learning Eduspeak

I often wonder how parents interpret and handle the very specific language that we as educators use frequently. I fondly refer to this as Eduspeak. This article may help you interpret some of it. It has been some time since I have outlined the platforms that we utilise to ensure that we are a ‘thinking school’ that is constantly striving to create a culture where thinking is visible, valued and actively promoted.

There are a number of platforms from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, most significantly Teaching for Understanding, Creating a Culture of Thinking and Making Thinking Visible, that we draw from. These are based on significant research and therefore are tried and tested as pedagogically sound.

Below is some information on the key aspects of each of the platforms:

Making Thinking Visible

We strive to ensure that what is in students’ heads is visible as it provides us with valuable information about where to jump off in the learning journey, if there are any misconceptions and what needs to be addressed. This clip outlines the philosophy behind the thinking routines that teachers use on a regular basis in their classrooms: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKV_S5NpDdc&index=2&list=PLw02tZ1F4zEDxJTB9U64rFJcnqDgBAHMc 

Teaching for Understanding

“A mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimensions.” Oliver Wendell Holmes

Teaching for Understanding is the framework that teachers utilise for designing, conducting and reflecting on practices that promote student understanding. In the clip below David Perkins explains Teaching for Understanding: https://vimeo.com/37158826

Creating a Culture of Thinking

At Emanuel School we use the following quote as the basis for our decisions around learning for our students, staff and the wider community.

“Schools are places in which a group’s collective, as well as individual, thinking is valued, visible and actively promoted as part of the regular, day-to-day experience of all group members.” Ron Ritchhart and Mark Church

We are continuing our journey to prepare our students for the ever changing world and are focusing considerably on innovative and design thinking, fostering curiosity and skills for the future. Teachers are intentionally making time and space in their programs for students to demonstrate, discuss, reflect and practise dispositions that will hold them in good stead in the future. It may seem early to be thinking about this for Primary students from a parent’s perspective but the proverb “forewarned is forearmed” springs to mind. Below is the link to some interesting reading from research undertaken by the Foundation for Young Australians:

www.fya.org.au/2018/07/03/4-things-to-keep-in-mind-when-thinking-about-the-future-workforce/

Year 4 students

Avalon Gold and Phoebe Machlin learn to ride regularly at Moore Park Stables. They are passionate about riding and would spend every minute riding if they could. Recently they competed at the Shibumi in the Dressage and Showjumping events. They jumped 25cm and 45cm and competed in the Preliminary Dressage courses. Both girls did very well although they did not score a place.

Avalon Gold

Phoebe Machlin

Emanuel’s War On Waste

Australia is one of the highest producers of waste per head of population in the world. Our students are passionate about reversing this trend, starting with their own lunch boxes. Please join us on this important journey. You can begin by completing the following survey: https://goo.gl/forms/NIXySUyBVzC9nMYt1

Thank you
The Green Team