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3 Tips For Completing Your AITSL Teaching Standards Portfolio

aussiestarresourcesau · Jun 30, 2018 · Leave a Comment

What’s your Super Power? Mine would have to be procrastination. Yes, the force is strong in this one. I can find a million other things to do before completing tasks that need to be done. This blog post is the perfect example. Here I am on a Sunday morning, there’s washing that needs to be hung out, school uniforms that need ironing, dishes that need to be done and a four year old somewhere in the house still in his PJs. BUT because they are not very appealing tasks I’ve decided that writing a blog post is FAR more important so here I am. Could the blog post have waited? Probably but that’s the power of procrastination, it clouds your judgement, why fight it?

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Are you procrastinating when it comes to your AITSL Teaching Standards Portfolio? I bet you are, everyone does! When it comes up in the staff room you can hear the groans for a 1km radius as teachers bemoan the AITSL Portfolio. Collating your teaching experience into one folder is HARD, reminding yourself to record details, take pictures and enter them in to your portfolio is easy to push down the list of priorities. Unfortunately, this usually means that we end up putting something together in a rush when a deadline such as a review is hanging over our heads. Here are a few tips and ideas to help you stay on top of your portfolio, update it regularly and ease your workload in the process.

Hold a Portfolio Party!

You won’t be the only staff member who is dragging their feet on your portfolio. Set aside time each month (or fortnight if you can manage) to come together with your colleagues to collate your evidence. You could meet at a local café, order in coffee and nibbles or bring afternoon tea to share. This kind of collaboration will allow you to bounce ideas off each other, gain clarification on the Standards and share stories and inspiration. It will also help set up a regular time for you to work on your portfolio.

Take photos and videos

I really wish I had done more of this in the classroom and organised it better. If your school permits it, use your phone to quickly snap examples of student work and activities, classroom displays and your planning. Save these in a separate album called Portfolio or AITSL so you know where they are for your Portfolio Party. If you are unable to use your phone keep a small digital camera on your desk charged and ready to whip out during a lesson or when you’re marking to take pics. Save these to a specific folder so you know where they are when you’re collating your evidence. If you have older students you could even ask them to remind you take photos – they love to have their work photographed and reminding the teacher to do something is an added bonus.

If you’re looking for an online portfolio that’s quick and easy to use check out our AITSL Teacher Standards Portfolio.

So that’s three ideas to help get you started. Oooh! One more! Factor your portfolio in to your planning, so that when you’re writing your plans you identify those lesson and activities that will meet a Standard and make a note of it in your planning to help you remember to document the lesson and add evidence to your portfolio.

I could add more but I think three (plus a bonus) is a good number to get you started and I’m sure you’ve already thought of some more while reading this post.

Good luck with your portfolio! I’d love to know if you have a Portfolio Part at your school or if you have helpful ideas and tips for collating your portfolio. Feel free to comment below.

Happy teaching

Amy

3 Essential Resources for Casual Relief Teachers

aussiestarresourcesau · Jun 24, 2018 · Leave a Comment

3 Essential Resources for Relief Teachers

Previously I picked the brain of Nikki Tester from Oceanview Resources to find out the best ways to get started relief teaching and some hints and tips to manage behaviour and tricky situations. Now we're ready to get set up with a relief teaching kit that will ensure we're armed and ready to take on a day of teaching at short notice.

What’s in your CRT kit? What are the top 5 items in your kit and why are they so essential?

I look like I am running away from home when I go relief teaching lol I have a craft bag on wheels which I find easy to manage. I have spare pencils, paper etc, and try to be as self sufficient as is realistic in this regard. I have 4 thumb drives- one for kinder, stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3. Stickers (I am not a bit fan of reward boxes-I think the expense is not worth the result to be honest), award cards, notes for the teacher (I have pre-prepared ones in a folder)

This YouTube video I made recently may be helpful.

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I like to plan my units of work (if nothing is left) around a theme, and picture books. Eg if I am looking at the Ocean for stage 1, I have a collection of great books eg Whale And A Snail, One Is A Snail Ten Is A Crab, Tiddler The Story Telling Fish, and I link all of my daily or weekly activities around that theme. It really is easy to do. In a SMART Notebook presentation I have all the links to great websites on the theme hyperlinked so that I just need to click and go. Any worksheets I have that relate are kept in a folder to go with those books so at any time I have up to a month if need be.

My thumb drives are great, and keeping them organised is vitally important too. I have backups of everything on my Dropbox account just in case!. There's nothing worse than losing all of that hard work

My personal care items are also included in my kit.

water
Panadol
food
tea
tissues
sunscreen
hat
whistle
anything that I may need but the school is unable to provide.

I keep my thumb drives and my whistle on my lanyard.

Do you have any funny or poignant stories about relief teaching?

Hundreds of them!!! But one of the funniest (although not funny at the time) was when I planned an excursion to the beach…….but didn’t check the tide chart. Unfortunately it was a king tide and there was very little beach when we arrived. To make things worse there was a wave surge and we sat and watched as about 4 back packs got taken out to sea!! Luckily the bus driver was a legend and dived into action and rescued them all!!!! Note to self…..always check the tide chart!!!.

Promo time – tell us about your resources for Relief Teachers!

I have created 3 major teacher reference books for teachers as well as a wide range of resources that are aimed at supporting teachers to create units of work with minimum effort and maximum results

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My Survival Kit for Casual Relief Teachers is over 100 pages of links to websites across all subject areas as well as a range of activities that you can implement easily as I have endeavoured to include as many no prep ideas as I can- the images are all hyperlinked to some of the most amazing websites for teachers, which again I have chosen non-subscription wherever possible

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My Substitute Teacher Bundle - Planner Binder and Ultimate Sub Pack has been my biggest passion project/ resource taking over 6 months of constant work to compile and publish. It includes over 300 pages of printable master sheets you can use in the classroom for a variety of reasons from feedback, planning, number games and a whole host of ideas. I have also collaborated with some fantastic resource makers to compile this resource and they have generously allowed some free resources to be included in the kit. The remaining 270 pages are website links across ALL aspects of teaching from report writing, resume writing, finding resources and all subject areas. I have included everything I thought that an elementary/primary teacher might need as a basis for building a relief teaching kit.

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Have you bookmarked, pinned and saved hundreds of links?
Do you promise that one day you will sort them out?

This fabulous Relief Teacher Website Reference Guide may be the answer to your organisational dreams. It is designed to be an easy to use, interactive resource. It has been sorted into categories with links to provide answers and help for frequently asked questions posed in posts on Facebook and other social group forums.
400 hyper-linked web pages and PDFs! This small investment will save you hours of your precious planning time and money. By investigating the comprehensive list of websites and links to free resources you can inexpensively build on your vital pool of resources. It is estimated teachers spend $2000 annually on resources. Let this book help to keep some of this money in your pocket

I'd like to thank Nikki for sharing her wisdom with me and providing invaluable help to relief teachers to make it a little less daunting and a whole lot easier. You can follow Nikki's TPT store by clicking here and you can click here to follow her on Pinterest where she has even more helpful ideas.

Happy Teaching

Amy

Geography: Helping your students understand the Gallipoli Landing

aussiestarresourcesau · Apr 19, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Improve your students' understanding of the landing at Anzac Cove by exploring the geography of Gallipoli

While Anzac Day is not explicitly mentioned in the Australian Curriculum there is a place for it in our HASS lessons and the opportunity for it to be integrated with other subjects. In this series of posts we will explore the teaching points, curriculum links and learning opportunities that can come from commemorating Anzac Day with your upper primary students.

We are now within a mile of the shore and the din has increased . . . the whole side of the mountains seems to be sending forth tongues of flame and the bullets fairly rain upon us . . . the water is churned up from rifle fire, machine-guns, Maxims, shrapnel and common shells . . . seven of the boys in our boat are killed and God knows how many in the others.
Anonymous soldier, the 3rd Brigade

World War One is a topic that requires a large amount to time to teach thoroughly and is most suited to older students. I can remember reading All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque in Year 11 History and finding it very confronting. This doesn’t mean that Anzac Day and the horror of the landing at Gallipoli shouldn’t be taught – it just requires a softer touch. It is easier, therefore, to focus on the “nuts and bolts” of Gallipoli – dates, statistics and the history of the event rather than the brutality faced by the ANZAC soldiers. Here are some points that are worth speaking to your students about so that they not only understand the date, the dawn service and the traditions attached to Anzac Day but also the reason and the consequences of the landing at Gallipoli.

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Why Gallipoli?

The battle for Gallipoli was all about Geography! Turkey had control of the Dardanelles strait, the narrow entry into the Black Sea which prevented supplies to and from Russia. Army leaders believed that if the Allies could take Istanbul (then called Constantinople) then Turkey would surrender. By gaining control of Turkey it would open access to the Black Sea via the Mediterranean Sea through the Dardanelles Strait.

Unfortunately, previous attempts to take the Dardanelles by the British and French had failed and so another plan of attack was needed. It was decided that the Australian and New Zealand troops would participate in an invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula. The theory was that the Allied troops would land simultaneously on all sides of the Gallipoli peninsula and then move inland securing more ground. This would be achieved by sending 4000 soldiers in two waves. They were to travel in boats that would land on the beach in the darkness, at what is now called Anzac Cove, and secure the beach and high ground so that more soldiers could be sent to move inland.

You can see in the image below the kind of terrain the troops needed to tackle to achieve their goal. I wonder if they had any idea what it was really like before they got there?

Image Credit: National Archives of Australia

Class discussion and teaching points

Upper primary students have the advantage that they can participate in class discussion and consider multiple views and opinions. Improving this skill is a requirement of the Australian Curriculum.

Ask students to consider several ‘What If’ scenarios to generate discussion and deeper thinking about the Gallipoli campaign, its impact on the war effort, its impact on the Australian character and culture and its significance to Australians now.

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Image Credit: National Archives of Australia

What if the Allies hadn't tried to seize the Gallipoli Peninsula?
What if they had checked the terrain and location before sending troops to land on the beach?
What if the Allies had succeeded in the Gallipoli Campaign?

What if the ANZAC Troops hadn't been part of the Gallipoli campaign?
What if Russia and the Allies had attacked from the Black Sea?
What if the Allies had been able to use more covert tactics?

Study the geography of the Gallipoli landing. Mapping skills are an important concept within the Geography curriculum and studying the location of the Gallipoli Peninsular and its location in relation to other countries and access points will help build their understanding of the Gallipoli campaign and its purpose.

It is also important that students consider the terrain of Gallipoli, particularly for the ANZACs, and how they were placed at a terrifying disadvantage landing on the beach at Anzac cove faced with cliffs that hid Turkish soldiers firing down on them. There are many photographs available on the National Archives of Australia Virtual Reading Room website (Vrroom). The Australian War Memorial website is another great source of quotes, images and stories.

Expert tips to make life easier as a Casual Relief Teacher

aussiestarresourcesau · Feb 25, 2018 · 1 Comment

As a Casual Relief Teacher you have to be ready for anything! Your phone could ring at 6am and you're suddenly venturing in to the unknown - that's OK - it's the life of a CRT. The trick is to manage the uncertainty of relief work by being super organised and having some great behaviour management ideas and resources up your sleeve...well, in your kit actually. In this post we continue our interview with Nikki Tester of Oceanview Resources about Casual Relief Teaching and how to make it work for you.

Casual Relief Teacher time and behaviour management

Being a Casual Relief Teacher can be a bit daunting when you first start, what are your top 3 tips for making it less stressful?

It certainly can be daunting so my top 3 tips would be

1. Be organised and flexible…..My car boot is my office, and if there are any last minute changes, I can easily grab any resources I may need. When you are booked, if possible ask if you will have access to a computer and an IWB. If the answer is no then you will have to take in resources that require no internet or IWB - they can be very tough days!!! It is worth asking if you are able to take in your own device (but it would need to have the software downloaded on it and ready to connect)

Casual Relief Teacher time and behaviour management tips

2. Establish those routines and agreements from the word go!! Be consistent, calm and fair. You must be able to follow through with any punishments or rewards, and be like a swan…..calm and in control on the surface even though under the water your feet are paddling madly to keep you afloat!!! Fairness is a universal currency with students….give them no opportunities to argue with you. Distance yourself from any conflict as it can escalate very quickly if you engage with a student on that level.

3. Make sure that you have all the food and water that you need to get you through the day. Staying hydrated is so vitally important as headaches can creep in towards the end of the day if you have not eaten or drunk enough water throughout the day.

Behaviour management is a huge part of CRT, especially if you haven’t taught in the school or class before, can you share with us some ideas and strategies for behaviour management as a Casual Relief Teacher? Do you have any stories or examples?

Never be afraid to ask questions or to ask for help….get the executive on side, if you need to have support for any reason (and behaviour management is usually the biggest one) then you need to be able to follow through confidently with the school management plan, and not feel like you have ‘failed’ by not being able to deal with a situation.

If you visit the schools website you may find a copy of their code of conduct or behaviour management plan which is always helpful.
Look for the casual folder in the classroom you are working in (hopefully there is one) It will have behaviour management plans, medication needs etc, and if the school doesn’t have these, then politely suggest that they implement them as a strategy to support relief teachers.
Stick with the classrooms reward system if you can….many schools use ClassDojo, so it is in your best interest to visit that site and familiarise yourself with how it works.
I highly recommend all teachers visit Bob Brandis website for behaviour management…..he has all bases covered, some wonderful tips, resources and his podcasts are really helpful. He is incredibly user friendly and I love his sense of humour!!! https://www.reliefteaching.com/

Coming up next:

Nikki gives us her top tips for creating the ultimate resource kit and some helpful links to resources that will make your life as a Casual Relief Teacher a whole lot easier. .

You can find Nikki's great range of resources for CRTs at her website www.oceanviewlearningcentre.com and on Teachers Pay Teachers

Essential hints and tips for successful Casual Relief Teaching

aussiestarresourcesau · Feb 13, 2018 · 2 Comments

Are you a casual relief teacher or starting out as one this term? It can be a bit nerve wracking to get going but never fear Nikki Tester from Oceanview Resources has some amazing hints and tips to get you started. Nikki is such a wealth of information that I have broken up her interview into three separate posts. Here is part one.

Hi Nikki! Thanks for taking the time to share your wisdom and experience with us. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself so we can get to know you and your experience in education and as a casual relief teacher?

Hi Amy, thank you so much for inviting me to share my insights and ideas.
A little about me….

I began teaching back in 1976 when classrooms looked incredibly different than they do today. Spirit duplicators and some fancy chalkboard work were about the extent of our resources. We worked mostly out of workbooks and lots of chalk and talk where students copied down pages of notes from the board. My how things have changed!!!! Photocopiers were the first big change to schools, and overhead projectors (I know I am really showing my age here). I really am blessed though, because I have been a lifelong learner thanks to teaching and for that I will always be eternally thankful. I have taught permanently for over 20 years, and been fortunate to have job shared in permanent positions while my children were growing up and became casual when we re-located in 2000.

For readers who are just starting out as a casual relief teacher (CRT) What are the best ways to get work? Should teachers contact schools directly or contact the department? And what kind of documentation do you suggest they take with them in their kit?

At the start of my casual teaching I began to work voluntarily at the school my daughter attended, and that was a foot in the door for me. I was recommended to other schools in our area, and my career as a casual began. I was fortunate to have had block work which really ingrained me into the school community and I was treated the same as other full time members. As this was a coastal area, the chances of obtaining permanency were pretty remote, but I was grateful to have become the preferred casual.

I would suggest that when starting out, volunteering is a great way to go, it gives you a feel for the culture and routine of the schools you would like to work in, and the more familiar your face, the more likely you are to be offered work.

The start of any term, but particularly term 1 is quite crazy! With new staff, new enrollments and often new principals, I would not suggest that the first few weeks of school are great to go visiting. By all means, send an email, or make a call to arrange a time that will be suitable for you to drop in your resume and perhaps meet with the staff member who is responsible for bookings. When you do drop in your resume you will need to include all of your relevant documentation, tax declarations, approval numbers, working with children, CPR, anaphylaxis etc, as well as a brief documentation of your experience. 2 pages maximum!!!!

The biggest tip I can offer is to be incredibly friendly to the staff in the office. They are often the first point of call in any school, and the Principal really values their first impressions so it is best to make them good ones. Dress appropriately, make a positive comment about something at the school you have noted and a little flattery will also go a long way!!!!

What about the new apps or automated services that are available to book relief teachers? Should casual relief teachers sign up?

I definitely recommend joining Class Cover, Tracer (Qld) or other booking agencies in your state/region as this is the current trend, which I think sadly is depersonalizing the process and making it incredibly challenging for Relief staff to get work. If you are registered take that phone off silent, and take it with you everywhere in the morning!! You don’t want to miss a call.

Start each day as if you are going to work, have some lunch organized, your clothes ready and your resource kits all set to go.

Coming up next:

Nikki shares her top three tips for making casual relief teaching less stressful and five ways to manage behaviour as CRT.

You can find Nikki's great range of resources for CRTs at her website www.oceanviewlearningcentre.com and on Teachers Pay Teachers

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3 Essential Resources for Relief Teachers

Improve your students' understanding of the landing at Anzac Cove by exploring the geography of Gallipoli

Why Gallipoli?

Class discussion and teaching points

Coming up next:

​​​​​​​​Hi Nikki! Thanks for taking the time to share your wisdom and experience with us. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself so we can get to know you and your experience in education and as a casual relief teacher?

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Hi Nikki! Thanks for taking the time to share your wisdom and experience with us. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself so we can get to know you and your experience in education and as a casual relief teacher?