Language Learning Intervention workshop

Earlier this week I completed the LLI (Language Learning Intervention) workshop. This was run by the SLT who works with the students at our school.
I am using a core board for a new student in my class and the amount of progress I have seen in her confidence and ability to communicate with not only me but everybody she encounters at school has been amazing!

At the workshop we looked at examples of different students language and learning experiences and were asked to make the link to our student. I found this very easy to not only identify my special needs learner, but also many students in my class. This reaffirmed my idea that all students in my class can benefit from these directed acts of teaching and specific feedback in relation to oral language.
My big takeaway from this session was the importance of specific feedback. I always try to give specific feedback and I think I am particularly good at doing this in regards to behaviour management. My goal for this week is to give specific feedback in regards to oral language for ALL my students. For example if I am reading a book with a student and they say "ball" I could reply with "yes that is a pink ball." This is developing their language by building on from what they have said and modelling a correct sentence structure.

A great start to 2016!!

This year is already progressing so quickly! This year I have moved into a new classroom and am teaching a year group lower, the lowest primary level in fact, new entrants. I have already had a steep learning curve after having to readjust my thinking, planning and expectations after day 1!
I had taken time to plan out my first week, filled with activities I was sure would be appropriate. It took me about 10 minutes to realise that majority of my planning would not be suitable for the 5 children that had turned up. 



We are now starting week 3 and my roll has grown to 11 students. They have already progressed so much. I have found at this level I am excited for all the small achievements such as, knowing where to put their school bag, cutting open food packets independently and recognising the word I. 


I have had an amazing start to the year and have enjoyed meeting all the new students and whanau. This year I am going to focus on all these little achievements and continue to celebrate them!