Recent posts from Sharon Callen
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The 5 Pillars of Effective Writing Instruction - Part 1
Pillar 1: Purposeful Planning The Teacher's Toolkit for Literacy Podcast — 2026 Series When two Year 6 teachers at a small regional school in Collie, Western Australia sat down to name what made their writing instruction work, they started where they always start: with planning. Danielle Monique and De Ludlum...
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The Wonder of Teaching Vocabulary with Freddy Hiebert
How Teachers Can Transform Vocabulary Learning Revolutionary insights from literacy expert Dr Freddy Hiebert reveal why traditional methods aren't working—and what to do instead Australian educators are discovering what Dr Freddy Hiebert has known for years: flashcards and word lists aren't just ineffective—they're actively hindering student progress. The literacy researcher...
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Part 6: Celebrating Growth in Literacy
Team Teaching Success at Mt Barker South Primary School What happens when two passionate Year 5/6 teachers join forces to create a truly integrated literacy programme? At Mt Barker South Primary School in South Australia, Renee Saldhana and Ra Te Whare have discovered the transformative power of collaborative teaching that...
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Building Literacy Foundations: Essential Strategies for the Modern Classroom
Transformative approaches for creating vibrant literacy environments that empower students and foster lifelong learning habits As teachers, we understand the importance of setting the tone for a productive, inspiring school year. Creating a literacy-rich environment isn't just about the aesthetics of your classroom—it's about equipping students with the strategies and...
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The Heart of Mathematics: Proficiencies in Action
A deep dive into Rob Vingerhoets' approach to mathematical proficiencies and how they can transform your classroom Beyond the Basics: Understanding Mathematical Proficiencies When mathematics consultant Rob Vingerhoets describes mathematical proficiencies as "the thing" in mathematics education, he's highlighting a fundamental shift in how we should approach teaching maths. In...