Wodonga CRT Support Network July Meeting

Hey hey, look at this. I almost feel organised. Yes the date has been set and presenter booked. Brett (Sports/Music teacher from Baranduda Primary School) will be joining us to talk about music. Brett is an inspirational teacher and great to work with. He has lots of different ideas and lessons. He has also (in his teaching career) done some casual relief teaching so this session he will look at CRTing as a music teacher. Brett will be joining us on Thursday 23rd July from 4pm at Wodonga South Primary School in the music room (next door to where we had the "Inclusive Games" PD). It will be gold coin donation to help cover afternoon tea and resource sharing will be anything musical. If you don't have anything to share, please don't worry, that is what this session is for.

Please email Mel on beautifulwhiteangel@hotmail.com if you will be attending.

Wodonga CRT Support Network June Meeting Minutes

Thursday 4th June 2009
Held at Wodonga South Primary School
11 in attendance

General Discussion:

· Literacy P.D. for CRTs to be held at Myrtleford (see blog for details).
· VIT (Dawn) is perusing Wodonga CRT Blog site and may consider linking it to other CRT networks.
· Gifted and Talented Association offering a P.D. on “EQ in schools” (see blog for details).
· Tribes: Kim presented an interesting talk based on a course and book called “A new way of learning and being together”. However, the book can only be purchased by attending the 4 day course. Tribes - a classroom concept based on appreciation, no putdowns, the right to pass, mutual respect and attentive listening (see blog for more details).
· The Effect of the Physical Learning Environment on Teaching and Learning: Pam presented information on this topic and assisted with an informative group discussion (see blog for more details).
· Asthmas training for CRTs (see blog for details).
· Anaphylaxis training for CRTs (see blog for details).
· For First Aid Training – suggestion was made the Allen’s Training offer cheaper than normal courses.

Behaviour Management Suggestions & Classroom ideas:

· ‘Your It’ – last name on the board picks up the ‘x’ amount of papers. Each time a child breaks the class rules, etc their names replaces the last name written on the board.
· Child rocking on their chair – get them to kneel on the floor for a short period of time.
· Secret Spot. As the teacher, pick two spots around the room that are out of place and have the children clean up the room. Who ever cleans/tidies these two things gets a prize.
· Tell a story and put the (problem child in the story) as main character, this can defuse poor behaviour and can be very engaging if most children get their name mentioned.
· If children are seated in groups or large table setting and you don’t get to know their names. Give each table a number, write them on the board and let class know the worst table will get detention if they “muck” up and will have to stay in.
· Use a reward box for good behaviour.
· Letter – get child to write a letter to their teacher explaining their poor behaviour in their absence.
· DEAR – Drop Everything And Read.
· ‘FREE TIME’ written on the board. A letter is wiped off each time there is poor behaviour and a letter added for good behaviour.
· Make every effort to get to know the children’s names.
· ‘Class Vs Teacher’ – one point to the teacher each time kids don’t behave or one point to class if they do. Reward with a game or something.
· SQUIRT – Super Quiet Uninterrupted Interesting Reading Time. Every time someone talks or doesn’t read, the allocated reading time starts again.

I would just like to thank everyone who supports the Wodonga CRT Support Network. Without this support, the network would not be what it is today. So thankyou and hope to see you all again soon.

Thanks Jacqui for typing these minutes up for me (us).

New South Wales Association of Gifted and Talented Children

Mark this date in your diary! Tuesday 23rd June. The Albury/Wodonga Gifted and Talented Children's Group are having Maree (Assistant Principal) from Melrose Primary School attending the meeting to talk about "EQ in Schools". This will be a session not to be missed.

DETAILS
Date ~ Tuesday 23rd June (last week of Term 2)
Place ~ Felltimber Community Centre
Time ~ 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Cost ~ $3
Please bring something small (food wise) to share.

If you are looking at attending this even please email Mel (at least 2 days before) with your name and the number of people attending with you. Thank you and hope to see you there.

Mel
beautifulwhiteangel@hotmail.com
0417490720

Looking to complete your full registration!

VIT hold sessions to help those who are looking at completing their full registration. Wodonga has been mentioned in the long list of places the sessions will be held. These sessions are a great way to get lots of information about gaining full registration, get any questions answered directly from VIT, it also adds to your PD hours and the cost is nothing to attend.
Wodonga's PRT session is being held at the Blazing Stump Motel on 3 August.
I am unsure about how to go about requesting how to attend the session at the present but I am sure an email through to Dawn Colcott (at VIT) will get you in the door.
dawn.colcott@vit.vic.edu.au
Good luck.

Comprehension: I know what you mean!

The session is running in Albury at the Commerical Club. Comprehension: I know what you mean! is being put on by e:lit Primary English Teaching Association. I don't know much more about it.

Thank you to Ruth for forwarding this through to me.

Pam, what a discussion!

Another thank you goes out to Pam, who lead a fantastic discussion on The Effect of the Physical Learning Environment on Teaching and Learning. This discussion opened my eyes to the different things that we, as CRTs and teachers, handle in our everyday teachings without much thought. Lighting, heating, weather, table settings, outside influences, work program/activities, and noise level are just a few I can think of, that effect my teaching (and learning) and the student's learning. We also discussed the differences between primary and secondary schools. If you haven't read the article yet, please do. Thank you again to Pam for setting the scene and leading the hot questions on this subject.

TRIBES

I would like to say a big thank you to Kim who presented the philosophy behind the exciting EQ based program, Tribes, at the Wodonga CRT Support Network Meeting last week.

Since that afternoon, I have been researching Tribes a little deeper online and have found some interesting sites that may be of interest also to others.

Kim mentioned that Darwin schools have taken on Tribes as the whole school focus but only a minority of schools south of Darwin have done the same thing. This is the Australian website KidsMatter that outlines where Australia has used Tribes to benefit Australian schools and children.

Tribes is an American based program and most of the sites and training is in and from America. I would love to hear of any PD or courses that are presented in Australia and specifically in our area.

Here is the free email subscription that I mentioned.

First Aid Training

I have been asking around about First Aid Training in the area and have found out that we are able to do our Senior Level II certificate . Elite Medical Solutions (EMS) loated in Albury specialise in First Aid courses and more. They have two ways of delievering this Senior Level II course. Either 15 hours face-to-face time OR 5 hours face-to-face followed up by an online component to be completed around the time of the face-to-face session. I haven't been able to call them to find out prices but is sounds like it will cost about $140 each (rumour is groups are cheeper). I will get in touch with them next week and post the details for you.

CLaSS PD in Myrtleford

St. Mary's of Myrtleford has opened up their PD on Friday 12th June to CRTs. This PD will be looking at the CLaSS model and how well it runs in their school. CRTs would most benefit from the morning session starting at 9am in the school's library. This would be a great PD as most schools in Wodonga are taking Friday 12th June off for report writing or interviews. If you would like to attend this PD please email/call Mel by Wednesday 10th June so I am able to call through to St. Mary's with any extra numbers.