Noteworthy
The Newsletter of the Waikato Literacy Association
In this copy of Noteworthy
From the President
Meet the WLA team
Celebration Lunch
Books for Babes
2019 Conference
Literacy Landscapes - Marie Clay Early Career recipient report ' Heather Downing'
Jane van der Zeyden - Help with ELLP report
WLA 2019 Calendar
2019 Registration form
From the President...
Last term saw a lovely celebration lunch to honour two of our WLA members for special accolades. Wendy Carss and Joan Gibbons (more on this below).
In the past term break a few from our region attended The Literacy Landscapes Conference in Palmerston North, it was a great conference which cleverly created a broader landscape for all those who attended. More about this in a report from our Marie Clay Early Teacher award recipient - Heather Downing from Matangi School.
A key message for me from the conference was the importance of choice in reading, we often take it for granted. How do we create rich conversations in our classrooms around texts? What books influenced us as a reader? What trends are happening globally? All of these were answered at the conference and many open ended - as a challenge on how we can make a difference.
I was delighted to sit at the Presidents and Delegates Breakfast with the International Literacy Association President - Bernadette Dwyer from Ireland. She shared with the conference the International Rights to Read - a campaign worth sharing at school and pledging your support.
We have just had a great turnout to our Jane van der Zeyden event - HELP with ELLP! She shared her wealth of knowledge which will support many teachers using ELLP effectively. An event that really supported teachers. The team work really hard to provide you with relevant workshops, sorry we can't provide the softest of chairs when in a school environment.
The committee have been busy organising our 2019 events. These are exciting and we know there will be something for everyone! You can register as a member now and will be invoiced in the 2019 school year. Members will receive earlier notification of events which is advantageous in securing a spot.
Wishing you all a great term four and needless to say 'Happy Christmas'
Regards
Sandie
MEET THE TEAM - WLA COMMITTEE
We are all volunteers...
Sandie Haddock - President
Sandra Neil - Past President
Judith Woodham - Secretary and Honour Council co-ordinator
Mel Sargent - Treasurer and Membership
Todd Burton - NZLA Delegate
Wendy Carss - International Literacy Association Board Member
Jay Boyer
Kylie Te Arihi
Jocelyn Broom
Therese Cargo
Kerry Horan
Celebration Lunch
Hosted in the delightful Hamilton Gardens on a beautiful spring day we celebrated two very special WLA members: Joan Gibbons and Wendy Carss
JOAN GIBBONS
Joan received a Service Award that the WLA nominated her for and what a very worthy recipient. Joan has been an active part of the WLA for many years and first joined the Waikato Reading Association in 1971. She joined the WRA committee in 1984. She has been the editor for the Literacy Forum (NZLA journal) which she held for 12 years. Joan has just resigned from the Waikato Literacy Association committee this year in March 2018. This marks 47 years as a member of the association and 33 years on the committee.WENDY CARSS
We also acknowledged the recent appointment of Wendy to the International Literacy Association(ILA) Board of Directors. This is a huge honour and one of only three New Zealanders who have achieved this; one being the notable Dame Marie Clay. Heather Bell has also had the honour of being on the Board is from the Auckland Council and was able to join us for the luncheon.
We are thrilled to have Wendy continuing to support the WLA and directly share with us some of the global literacy issues.
PAST NZLA PRESIDENTS
From Left: Wendy Morgan, Heather Bell, Wendy Carss, Christine Jeffs, Sharon Ross, Glenice Andrews.
BOOKS FOR BABES - to celebrate World Literacy Day September 8th
NZLA Conference 2019 The Art of Literacy Christchurch
29th September - 2nd October 2019
NZLA Conference 2018 Literacy Landscapes
Marie Clay Early Career Award
I am blessed to have received the Marie Clay Early Career award, allowing me to attend the 2018 New Zealand Literacy Conference held in Palmerston North. This conference was amazing. I have been inspired, validated and encouraged throughout the NZLA conference and am I incredibly grateful. Peter Johnston’s presentation about engaged, self-extending literate communities caused my heart to flutter as I discovered through his work and research, reasons for a teaching style that I am naturally inclined to. This was a validating and powerful discovery, one that has opened my eyes to other kindred spirits with matched teaching practices and priorities to my own.
Throughout the three day conference I made connections with teachers from all over Aotearoa through sharing authentic stories of struggles and success; these moments have encouraged me.
I have been inspired by the many workshop presenters, keynote speakers and NZ authors. Waikato University lecturer, Sue Dymock; Auckland University’s, Janet Hawkins; and Australia's educator, Julie Bradley have provided practical advice about improving the writing experience and outcomes for students. Auckland University professor, Jan Gaffney, explained the importance of teachers taking ownership in selecting literacy intervention models and materials. Dublin professor, Bernadette Dwyer, revealed the many skills involved in deconstructing digital literacy and integrating literacy and technology into learning. Hearing from Auckland University lecturer, Rae Si’Ilata about enabling Pacifica bi-literacy success has reinforced my beliefs about bi-lingualism, emphasising that reading and writing float on a sea of talk. Auckland educator, Margaret Carter described the impact of inquiry learning as transforming wonder into knowledge. While another Auckland teacher, Jacqui Frost demonstrated ways to embed a culture of Growth Mindset and Mindfulness into literacy learning and classroom practice. The well spoken and incredibly knowledgeable Nathan Wallis informed me of the neurological development of literacy which fascinated me as well as challenged my thinking.
The NZLA conference has significantly added to my kete of knowledge and introduced me to fabulous thinkers and warm-hearted teachers. I am truly thankful for the learning opportunities that the Marie Clay scholarship provided me with through this Literacy Conference. I count myself privileged to have spent three days among incredible educators.
Heather Downing
Nathan Wallis
Donovan book signing with Wendy C
Donovan Bixley
Click on the keynote speaker to link to their associated website
Donovan Bixley
Suzie Johnson
Jan Van Der Zeyden
These are some of the gems from Jane
- each stage takes at least two years to progress through for an English language learner and that teachers must remember that stages do not match curriculum levels.
- don't be fooled by competent social speakers. It takes 5-7 years to gain proficiency with academic language
- try and take only 10 minutes per child to assess the matrices
- have the green or blue books with you when you are filling in the matrices
- vocabulary learning is the key - plan for vocab to be introduced alongside current areas of inquiry
- alignment tables can be helpful
She also reminded us about the many wonderful resources available from the MInistry of Education, and in particular, the pages in the blue and green books that highlight "where to next in writing " ; after all teaching is what we need to be focusing on once we've made an assessment judgement.
Thanks Jane for sharing your wisdom with us. All the best filling in the matrices!
Sandra Neil
2019 Calendar of Events
Keep up to date with the WLA
Email: waikatoliteracy@nzla.org.nz
Website: www.nzla.org.nz
Phone: .
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Waikato-Literacy-Association-113503435763362/