Friday 30 January 2015

Challenging the Mindset

It's great to be part of #edchatnz in this new year, the conversation and challenging thinking is proof that there are a great many educators in New Zealand with a growth mindset. 

The idea of mindset was apparently discovered by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, although despite it being the current "rage" on the net, I don't believe it is anything new to education. It is what we aspire to instill in our students. It has also been the basis of most self-improvement teachings and the "inborn" qualities of some of the worlds greatest men and women. In the end it is about believing in ourselves, in persevering, in being learners, and caring about people around us; it is about being what we are meant to be, the best we can be as human beings.

And yes there are always those who get stuck in a rut, I've been there myself, but it doesn't mean we have to stay there. Life is a growth mindset, sometimes we falter and lose sight, lose faith, and get stuck in a fixed mindset, but like all things in life with a bit of help from our friends: this too shall pass.



Sunday 25 January 2015

The Book Whisperer

Voice Recorder >>
After my second reading of The Book Whisperer I recorded a short podcast of my thoughts about the concepts in the book and what I have taken from it as a teacher.

Have you read The Book Whisperer? Do you have any thoughts or suggestions to share?

My Nonfiction Bookshelf


My Fiction Bookshelf


Wednesday 21 January 2015

Online Reading & Listening for Kids

As I reader I have moved to reading mostly digital books and particularly listing to audio books, both of which make great stations or reading activities for the classroom. Below are the sites I have found that are free and suitable for children. Please let me know of any others and I'll update my list.
I have create a Symbaloo of all the suggestions from the NZ Teachers Primary Facebook group.

Online Books


Online Audio Books (with subtitles)

Online Audio Books
Non-fiction Reading Websites for Kids

News Websites for Kids