Episodes

  • Part 2: The Heart of Mathematics: Proficiencies in Action, with Rob Vingerhoets

    Part 2: The Heart of Mathematics: Proficiencies in Action, with Rob Vingerhoets
    Apr 13 2025
    Continuing their exploration of mathematical proficiencies, Rob and Phil discuss how these elements can transform classroom practice. Rob expresses concern about approaches that block proficiency development, particularly rigid "explicit teaching" models that begin with teacher lectures. He argues that lecturing is an ineffective teaching method that disengages students and fails to acknowledge their existing knowledge.The conversation shifts to implementation strategies for schools wanting to embrace proficiency-based mathematics teaching. Rob acknowledges that change is challenging but notes encouraging developments in South Australia's educational approach. He advises schools to audit their current practices against the proficiencies and seek out quality resources for rich, engaging tasks. Rob emphasises that many excellent materials are readily available online and through publications, offering his own resources as options for teachers seeking alternatives to worksheet-heavy approaches.Rob and Phil discuss how the proficiencies connect to assessment practices, noting that rich tasks naturally generate meaningful evidence of student learning. They contrast this with standardised testing like NAPLAN, which provides limited insight into students' mathematical thinking. Rob suggests that integrating proficiency-focused questions into standardised tests might help raise awareness of their importance.The conversation highlights how mathematical proficiencies prepare students for future employment, where employers value communication, problem-solving, logical thinking, collaboration, and creativity—all skills developed through proficiency-focused mathematics education. Rob notes these capabilities are far more valuable than test scores in the workforce.The podcast concludes with information about Rob's series of webinars focusing on each proficiency, offering teachers practical strategies for implementation. Throughout the conversation, Rob maintains his conviction that mathematical proficiencies should be central to mathematics education rather than peripheral considerations, encouraging teachers to embrace tasks that naturally develop these essential capabilities.RESOURCESRead the blog: Proficiencies: The Main Game in Mathematics TeachingRob Vingerhoet's website: Maths is FunJOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.FURTHER INFORMATIONTune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTubeRead our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook groupExplore upcoming live or online webinar eventsHave questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at admin@cuelearning.com.au
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    27 mins
  • Part 1: The Heart of Mathematics: Proficiencies in Action, with Rob Vingerhoets

    Part 1: The Heart of Mathematics: Proficiencies in Action, with Rob Vingerhoets
    Apr 6 2025
    In this insightful podcast, Phil interviews expert maths consultant Rob Vingerhoets about the four mathematical proficiencies that form the foundation of effective mathematics education in Australia. Rob explains that these proficiencies—fluency, reasoning, understanding, and problem solving—are often misunderstood or overlooked despite being fundamental to the Australian Curriculum.Rob passionately argues that these proficiencies are "the thing" in mathematics education, not just supplementary elements. He clarifies that fluency extends beyond knowing multiplication tables to include number sense and articulating mathematical thinking. Reasoning involves justifying and explaining mathematical approaches, while understanding requires grasping concepts rather than rote memorisation. Problem solving is the application of mathematical knowledge to varied situations.Rob mentions a potential fifth proficiency some educators discuss: productive disposition, which relates to student motivation and engagement with mathematics. He emphasises that high-quality mathematical tasks should incorporate multiple proficiencies simultaneously, creating rich learning experiences that engage students.The conversation highlights how teachers can audit their lessons against these proficiencies. Rob suggests that open-ended tasks naturally accommodate different proficiency levels and allow for differentiation. He provides an example of transforming a closed question (12 + 13 = 25) into an open one (what two numbers add to 25?), demonstrating how this simple shift creates opportunities for deeper learning.Rob shares his experience in a Prep-2 classroom using the "three cookie challenge," where young children naturally engage with division and fractions through a meaningful context. This illustrates that even very young students can reason mathematically when presented with appropriate tasks, challenging the notion that certain mathematical concepts should be reserved for older students.Throughout the conversation, Rob emphasises that worksheet-based approaches and excessive PowerPoint use often fail to develop these essential proficiencies, advocating instead for rich, engaging tasks that promote authentic mathematical thinking.RESOURCESRead the blog: Proficiencies: The Main Game in Mathematics TeachingRob Vingerhoet's website: Maths is FunJOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.FURTHER INFORMATIONTune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTubeRead our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook groupExplore upcoming live or online webinar eventsHave questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at admin@cuelearning.com.au
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    26 mins
  • Part 4: Getting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6

    Part 4: Getting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6
    Mar 30 2025
    Part 4: Implementing Conferring in the ClassroomSharon briefly mentions two Year 4 students who struggle with punctuation, affecting both their fluency and comprehension. She explains how the protocol's fluency rubric provides specific language to identify and address these issues, such as "not adhering to punctuation, stress and intonation." During conferring, Sharon models proper phrasing and has students practise immediately with their own books, creating strategy goals they can continue independently.The conversation shifts to practical implementation in classrooms. Sharon reassures teachers that conferring doesn't require perfection and encourages them to start with just one aspect of the protocol, such as fluency. She emphasises that even brief, focused conferences can make significant differences in students' reading development.Phil and Sharon discuss how these short conferences inform whole-class instruction. When teachers notice similar issues across multiple students, they can develop targeted mini-lessons addressing these common needs. The conferring process mirrors the structure of effective mini-lessons: observe, model, teach, practise, and reflect.They highlight the broader impact of conferring beyond specific reading strategies. Students learn a process for identifying problems, applying strategies, and self-regulating their reading. The conferences make thinking visible and concrete, especially when strategy goals are recorded on Reading Calendars or Anchor Charts where students can reference them daily.Sharon concludes by emphasising how conferring contributes to developing strategic readers who continually grow in their abilities. The Year 3-6 period represents an enormous time of reading growth, and effective conferring ensures students develop the tools they need for increasingly complex texts, building readers who know which strategies to apply in different situations.RESOURCESThe Listening to Reading Watching While Writing Protocol Duke, Ward, & KlingelhoferThe Reading Strategies Book 2.0 by Jennifer SerravalloBLOGGetting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6 JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.FURTHER INFORMATIONTune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTubeRead our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook groupExplore upcoming live or online webinar eventsHave questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at admin@cuelearning.com.au
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    29 mins
  • Part 3: Getting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6

    Part 3: Getting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6
    Mar 23 2025
    Part 3: Addressing Diverse Reading ChallengesSharon shifts focus to a Year 5 girl who, like the first boy, immediately expresses difficulty remembering what she reads in chapter books. When examining her reading, Sharon notices the girl has strong decoding skills but struggles with comprehension. Using the same "keep your eyes and mind in the book" strategy, Sharon guides her through reading paragraph by paragraph.The breakthrough comes when the girl connects this strategy to visualising. She explains that while she's been taught visualisation techniques, she never knew how to apply them effectively. By focusing her mind on the text paragraph by paragraph, she can now create mental images that accurately reflect the author's words rather than going off on tangents with personal connections. The girl develops her own strategy of writing one-sentence summaries at logical breaks in the text.Sharon then discusses a Year 5 student who has been reading only graphic novels and wants to abandon her first attempt at a regular novel because "the author jumps all over the place." Through careful observation, Sharon identifies that the girl reads continuously without pausing for punctuation, paragraphs, or other text organisation features. When questioned about how graphic novels organise information versus novels, the girl reveals her misconception that novels "just write everything all mixed up together."This leads to a teaching moment about text structure and organisation—how novels use paragraphs, punctuation, and white space to organise information that graphic novels convey through illustrations and speech bubbles. The teacher later connects this to the student's writing, realising she never uses paragraphs because she doesn't understand how they function in text.RESOURCESThe Listening to Reading Watching While Writing Protocol Duke, Ward, & KlingelhoferThe Reading Strategies Book 2.0 by Jennifer SerravalloBLOGGetting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6 JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.FURTHER INFORMATIONTune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTubeRead our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook groupExplore upcoming live or online webinar eventsHave questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at admin@cuelearning.com.au
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    28 mins
  • Part 2: Getting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6

    Part 2: Getting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6
    Mar 16 2025
    Part 2: Strategic Reading InterventionsThe conversation continues as Sharon and Phil discuss the importance of giving students space to develop their own strategies after receiving initial guidance. Sharon emphasises how the boy's Post-It note idea emerged because she asked him how the strategy helped and gave him time to reflect. She notes this technique would be temporary but highly effective as he transitions to chapter books.Sharon then shares her experience with a second Year 3 student reading a more complex chapter book. This boy demonstrates good decoding skills but makes mistakes he doesn't correct. Sharon records words he reads correctly and incorrectly, noting that he seems aware when he misreads but lacks strategies to fix errors. When she points this out, he confirms: "I don't know what else to do."Returning to the misread words, Sharon introduces the strategy "try a different sound" without specifying which letter to focus on. Remarkably, the boy immediately corrects all four misread words, including "kindy" and "manage." This success transforms his reading experience, making previously difficult text accessible. The strategy is recorded on his reading calendar with a specific date, creating accountability and a reference point for future reading sessions.Sharon explains how these conferences build a comprehensive picture of students as readers, far more detailed than multiple-choice assessments could provide. She stresses that conferring should happen with books that challenge students appropriately—not too easy, as Tim Shanahan has advocated. Teachers need to equip students with strategies to access increasingly complex texts, especially as they progress through upper primary years.RESOURCESThe Listening to Reading Watching While Writing Protocol Duke, Ward, & KlingelhoferThe Reading Strategies Book 2.0 by Jennifer SerravalloBLOGGetting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6 JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.FURTHER INFORMATIONTune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTubeRead our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook groupExplore upcoming live or online webinar eventsHave questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at admin@cuelearning.com.au
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    28 mins
  • Part 1: Getting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6

    Part 1: Getting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6
    Mar 10 2025
    Part 1: Understanding the Conferring ProcessIn this insightful podcast, Phil and Sharon Callen explore the art of conferring with students in Years 3-6. Sharon begins by explaining that conferring is a powerful tool for both learning about students and helping them develop as readers. She emphasises that the key shift in her conferring practice came when she realised these sessions should provide immediate learning opportunities rather than just collecting information to use later.Sharon introduces the "Listening to Reading, Watching While Writing Protocol," a freely available tool developed by Duke Ward and Klingelhoffer. This protocol aligns with the Active View of Reading developed by Duke and Cartwright, covering word recognition, comprehension, and the bridging processes between them. The protocol guides teachers on what to observe during conferring and helps them make informed decisions about what to teach.The focus of these conferences is to identify what strategies students are currently using effectively or ineffectively and to provide targeted instruction. Sharon explains that these short, five-minute conferences allow teachers to observe students reading from their current books and help them develop a specific strategy they can practice immediately and apply independently.Sharon shares her first story about conferring with a Year 3 boy reading an early chapter book. The student immediately reveals his struggle: "I find it difficult to remember what I'm reading." As he reads, Sharon notices he keeps his eyes on the page while decoding but struggles with comprehension. When asked to recall what he read, he can remember the first two paragraphs but not the third, longer one. Sharon teaches him the strategy of keeping not just his eyes but also his mind in the book. When he practises this strategy, he experiences immediate success and even suggests using Post-It notes to track his understanding page by page.RESOURCESThe Listening to Reading Watching While Writing Protocol Duke, Ward, & KlingelhoferThe Reading Strategies Book 2.0 by Jennifer SerravalloBLOGGetting Better at Conferring, Years 3-6 JOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.FURTHER INFORMATIONTune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTubeRead our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook groupExplore upcoming live or online webinar eventsHave questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at admin@cuelearning.com.au
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    28 mins
  • Part 2: The Essential Classroom Setup in 2025

    Part 2: The Essential Classroom Setup in 2025
    Dec 8 2024
    In this engaging episode of The Teacher's Toolkit for Literacy, Sharon Callen explores how to establish a thriving literacy environment for the year ahead. With her hallmark blend of enthusiasm and expertise, Sharon shares actionable insights to help teachers create purposeful, connected, and engaging spaces for students to learn and grow.Sharon begins by emphasising the importance of seamless literacy routines, offering a roadmap for integrating key tools like the writer’s notebook, reading journal, classroom library, and word walls. She highlights the Teachific platform, showcasing its curated resources, including grade-specific literacy units designed to launch reading and writing workshops with ease. Sharon illustrates how these routines can evolve into meaningful learning experiences, emphasising the natural connection between reading and writing to foster deeper engagement.The conversation dives into practical resources, including sample spelling planners and a comprehensive spelling scope and sequence, ensuring teachers have the scaffolding needed for consistent word work. Sharon underscores the value of linking spelling to the processes of reading and writing, empowering students to transfer word knowledge across contexts.The episode also celebrates the art of the read-aloud, a daily ritual Sharon champions for its role in teaching reading strategies, expanding vocabulary, and nurturing comprehension. From selecting the perfect chapter books for younger readers to spotlighting captivating texts like The Fox and the Ghost King by Michael Morpurgo, Sharon shares tips for building a library that excites and inspires.Finally, Sharon explores transformative assessment strategies, including conferring and the groundbreaking Listening to Reading, Watching While Writing Protocol. This episode is a treasure trove for educators seeking a confident, connected start to the literacy year. Tune in for tools, inspiration, and a wealth of practical advice!READ THE BLOG HEREJOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.FURTHER INFORMATIONTune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTubeRead our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook groupExplore upcoming live or online webinar eventsHave questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at admin@cuelearning.com.au
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    29 mins
  • Part 1: The Essential Classroom Setup in 2025

    Part 1: The Essential Classroom Setup in 2025
    Dec 1 2024
    In this engaging podcast episode, Sharon Callen delves into the essential tools every teacher needs to kickstart a literacy-rich classroom for a successful year. She emphasises that creating a learning environment isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about equipping students with tools that inspire curiosity, agency, and growth. Sharon introduces five transformative strategies: Classroom Libraries, Reading Journals, Quick Writes, Writer’s Notebooks, and Word Walls, highlighting their practical impact on fostering lifelong reading and writing habits.The Power of Classroom LibrariesA vibrant classroom library is more than a collection of books—it’s the heartbeat of literacy learning. With research showing that students in classrooms with libraries read 50% more, Sharon discusses how a diverse and inviting library fuels a love for reading. She provides tips on curating “tantalising texts” and designing cosy spaces that encourage exploration.Reading Journals: Documenting GrowthSharon describes Reading Journals as personal spaces for students to reflect on their reading journeys. From tracking books to responding creatively to literature, these journals build ownership and motivation. Tailored for different ages, they are also a treasure trove of insights for teachers into students’ preferences and progress.Quick Writes: Unleashing CreativityQuick Writes offer students the freedom to write without fear, boosting fluency and creativity in just 5–10 minutes. Sharon explains how playful prompts and low-pressure environments transform reluctant writers into confident ones, helping them generate ideas for future writing projects.Writer’s Notebooks: A Home for WritingA Writer’s Notebook becomes a sanctuary for student writing, fostering revision and experimentation. Sharon encourages frequent publishing and demonstrates how tools like margins and dual-page setups help students refine their craft over time.Word Walls: Anchoring VocabularyFor younger learners, alphabetical Word Walls offer accessible vocabulary support, while Personal Word Walls empower older students to curate meaningful words. Sharon shares tips for integrating Word Walls seamlessly into classroom routines.Each strategy is a cornerstone of a supportive literacy classroom, cultivating a culture of joy and purpose. Sharon encourages teachers to implement these tools early, ensuring 2025 is a year filled with growth and creativity for all learners. Stay tuned for four more strategies in Part 2.READ THE BLOG HEREJOIN TEACHIFIC NOW AND SAVE!Join Teachific today. Access thousands of resources and a growing number of 'anytime' courses within your membership.FURTHER INFORMATIONTune in to "Teacher's Tool Kit For Literacy," a free podcast where accomplished literacy educator Sharon Callen and her team share valuable insights and tips. With over 30 years of experience, they provide strategic learning solutions to empower teachers and leaders worldwide. Subscribe on your favourite platform for exclusive literacy learning content. Apple, Spotify, Google, YouTubeRead our insightful blogs, which make valuable connections between resources, podcasts and courses.Visit our Cue Learning website and sign up for the Teacher's Toolkit Weekly newsletter to stay updated on resources, events and discover how Cue can support you and your school.Explore Teachific, our vast collection of PDF resources, to enhance your teaching toolkit. And get even more support from our growing number of 'anytime' online courses.Connect with the latest news and other educators by joining our Teacher's Toolkit Facebook groupExplore upcoming live or online webinar eventsHave questions or feedback? Reach out to us directly at admin@cuelearning.com.au
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    32 mins