From The Head Of Teaching & Learning
Number Talks
At St Paul's we are committed to delivering quality learning for our students where every student can achieve success. When most of us were growing up it was essential to know times tables and number facts off by heart. We played class games where the fastest at these facts consistently won the honour of class champion.
The latest research around this practice has found that relying on route memory and rewarding only the fastest in Maths is damaging and reinforces the idea that some people are 'good' at Maths and others are not. Students need to build the confidence to 'play' with numbers. They need to develop the ability to use a range of strategies to solve problems (both simple and complex problems) and it is important for them to develop the confidence to apply their number sense in a range of situations to become competent Mathematicians. Jo Boaler, a Stanford University professor who is a world-leading expert in Mathematics Education stays that, "Number sense, critically important to students’ mathematical development, is inhibited by over-emphasis on the memorization of math facts in classrooms and homes. The more we emphasize memorization to students the less willing they become to think about numbers and their relations and to use and develop number sense." (Boaler, 2009).
So what is the solution? At St Paul's we have been having lots of fun with implementing Number Talks across the school. Teachers have been taking turns in our staff meetings to lead their peers and students have been engaging in these 5-10 minute talks in their class at regular intervals throughout their week. We have started to build the confidence and growth mindset of our students using dot talks to form our Number Talks and the class Number Talks will grow in complexity as the year goes on.
If you would like to learn more about what a dot talk looks like in practice, please visit this link: https://youcubed2stg.wpengine.com/resources/jo-teaching-visual-dot-card-number-talk/
So what is the solution? At St Paul's we have been having lots of fun with implementing Number Talks across the school. Teachers have been taking turns in our staff meetings to lead their peers and students have been engaging in these 5-10 minute talks in their class at regular intervals throughout their week. We have started to build the confidence and growth mindset of our students using dot talks to form our Number Talks and the class Number Talks will grow in complexity as the year goes on.
If you would like to learn more about what a dot talk looks like in practice, please visit this link: https://youcubed2stg.wpengine.com/resources/jo-teaching-visual-dot-card-number-talk/
Read Write Inc
Last week we began our Read Write Inc journey officially with our students. We have been planning for the start of this program since last year and have been practising our Read Write Inc routines as staff since January. It is so exciting to see this program come to life for our Prep, Year 1, Year 2 and half of our Year 3 students! If you would like to learn more about the program please see the two videos below for more information (please note these links expire on the 9th March):
- Understanding Phonics
https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/bTMYuP8P/vUtZ5sBe
How to Say the Sounds
https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/0v3mB3e1/MgW3giuN
Brainstorm Productions
On 28th March, BrainStorm production Productions will be presenting their student wellbeing performance 'The H Team'. ‘The H Team' is a live educational theatre performance that follows the story of Cal and Mindi, who are accidentally transported from the safety of the 'H Zone' and left without their positive mindsets. Peer pressure and social media make Mindi anxious, competitive and impulsive. Cal is being bullied and excluded at school. He becomes isolated and obsessed with junk food and video games. Cal and Mindi must learn to resist the lure of advertising and excessive screen time, stand up to bullying and make healthy decisions.
This exciting live theatre experience gives students the knowledge and confidence to cope with difficult emotions and critically evaluate negative messages from advertising and the media. They will learn practical strategies that can be used to build positive relationships, stay safe online and take care of their minds and bodies.
