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What are Elkonin Boxes: Elkonin boxes or sound boxes are a teaching tool used to represent each sound or phoneme contained in a word (Elkonin, 1963). A series of connected boxes are used to represent each sound (not the letters) in a word. For example, three boxes are placed under the word ‘fish’ to represent […]

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We love getting feedback from users of our programs and learning the impact these programs can have in everyday classroom situations. We recently received the following email regarding our Developing Narrative Skills Program which we have shared with you today.

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The beginning of the school year is an incredibly busy time of the year. Despite the workload ahead of all of you, it is imperative that schools start their year well. With this in mind, we’ve developed the following Term 1 essential Back To School Checklist for teachers, school leaders and those new to PLD […]

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Recently, Diana Rigg was featured in her old high school’s alumni magazine. Read a full transcript of the article below. “Past Principal of Santa Maria College, Sr Sheila Sawle used to constantly tell Santa Maria girls, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” Thousands of girls took that inspirational advise with them […]

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While all children develop at different times, there is an expected sequence of developmental milestones children should be reaching. PLD has provided handy downloadable milestone guides for children aged 6 months through to 12 years.  Designed by speech pathologists, occupational therapists and educators, the comprehensive guides give an overview of the Oral Language, Literacy and […]

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This post relates to a discussion on a whole of school approach to spelling. The original poster is an existing user of PLD resources for stage 1, grade 1 and was required to assist the school with expanding the PLD across the entire school.

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Five From Five, AUSPELD and Learning Difficulties Australia have collaborated to create an evidence-based framework for schools which aims to dramatically reduce the number of children who finish primary school unable to read.  The pledge aims to ‘reduce to near zero the number of children who finish primary school unable to read by providing primary […]

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It is quite common for children to arrive into Foundation without a dominant hand. As teachers are not Occupational Therapists, how do you help establish a student’s dominant hand as left or right and why is it so valuable to do so?  Research suggests that while a majority of children show a preference by 3 […]

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Its great to know that you are having an impact, particularly on our new wave of teachers graduating each year. We were on forwarded this status update from the ECU M17 Class of 2010 – They saved the best for last! student Facebook group by the wonderful Dr Lorraine Hammond – Course Co-ordinator graduate diploma of education (primary), at the ECU school of education.

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Have you seen The King’s Speech? Oral Language is one of the skill sets required for literacy so I was particularly interested in seeing the film. Based on the true story of the Prince of Wales prior to becoming King George VI, the story is centred on the problem of the Prince’s severe stutter. (In the UK they apply the term ‘stammering’). If stuttering is not treated by the onset of puberty it will never be cured but only managed at best.

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The WA Department of Education schools focus for 2020 has just been released, have you had a chance to check it out? If not, you can view or download a copy here as a PDF: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/dl/1zxeed For 2020 Western Australian schools are, among others, focusing on: Support learners to make the best start with access […]

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In an era where young children are exposed to so much technology, it appears this trend has not always been beneficial to their  development. Research has shown that in Australia, despite increases in overall prosperity, the developmental outcomes for children appear to have worsened …

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Teachers and parents are bombarded with resources designed to improve the learning outcomes in a classroom or home environment. Unfortunately, being in possession of a great resource doesn’t always translate to great outcomes. While the people teaching our children must be commended for their dedication and hard work, they also need support from their teaching resource providers to ensure maximum benefit from their precious classroom time.

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Let us be calm when reading the 2019 PISA Testing Report and not point the blame solely at teachers. The report reminds us that there is much work to be done at the teacher training level, the curriculum level and also the classroom/school level.  Firstly, the recommendations from the Independent Review of the Teaching of […]

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Do you know how the National Curriculum affects preschool children? In a recent cover page article in the West Australian titled ‘Teaching three Rs urged for pre-school”, a case was made for teaching academic concepts to children before they reach primary school. Understandably, both parents and teachers are concerned about what this means for them and the children in their care.

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It’s clear there’s a broad gap between research findings being published and the application of the same findings in the classroom.

In a recent Weekend West Opinion article,”Read the signs – it’s time for a brave new teaching world”, by Alanna MacTiernan, a bold challenge is proposed to our education system as a whole. Failing a significant number of our students and adhering to outdated and unsupported research frameworks, it’s disturbing reading. I wish I could say I’m surprised but I’m not.

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Parent Education Nights are a key way for educators to share tips on how parents can prepare their children for school and what they will learn. Typically conducted on an annual basis, parent sessions give the school the chance to equip their community with the tools that will reinforce their school-based learning. PLD has developed specific handouts […]