TA TALK

Issue 32

June 2018

It’s been a hectic six months for schools, and we know you are looking forward to a well-deserved break. This is also a great time to catch up on some professional development, and we love the fact that many of you use this time to update your skills. Even better, you can view our PD library from the comfort of home in your PJs, if you so choose, and a hot cuppa in hand!

Our focus so far this year has been on literacy and numeracy, a key area of teacher aide support. We know there has also been an increased focus on literacy and numeracy in schools, with the introduction of the National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions and, for this reason, we have added many new literacy and numeracy resources to our already extensive PD library.

Our new literacy programs on reading and writing, are practical and include some great handouts and resource links. They include Strategies to Support Reading – Before, During and After, presented by Rebecca Glynn from the Reading Centre in Queensland, and Big Write and VCOP in the Middle Years, presented by Samantha Taylor from Andrell Education. In July we will present another literacy focused webinar, Working with Students with Learning Differences, with guest presenter, Marion McMahon from SPELD.

On Tuesday we had a huge turnout for our webinar, Supporting Students with Mental Computation Strategies, presented by Dr. Judy Hartnett. We recently offered two other math webinars, exclusive to members, on number sense and mental computation for multiplication and division.

As we wrap up for another term, we would like to welcome our new schools and training organisations from around Australia. Our initiative this year of introducing a member orientation means that we have had the privilege to ‘meet’ all of you in person. We look forward to keeping in touch and hearing about the wonderful ways you support your education support staff.

With warm regards

Stella and Mandy

Does your school or training organisation have an ATA membership?

To access our complete professional development library, exclusive live webinars and other great member benefits, all you need to do is link to your organisation's membership account.

MEMBER WEBINAR: Mathematics - Helping Students Develop Mental Computation Strategies

During primary school, students learn a range of mental computation strategies to work out and estimate answers to mathematical calculations, which become essential for secondary mathematics. In this webinar, we identify the sequence of learning mental computation strategies in primary school, and explore some practical activities and games that teacher aides can use to help students develop their mental computation skills in multiplication and division.

COMMUNITY WEBINAR: Supporting Students With Mental Computation Strategies

We continue the conversation about mental computation with guest presenter, Dr. Judy Hartnett of Making Maths Reason-able. Judy presents a way of thinking that makes this area of math easier for students to understand, and easier for those supporting the learning of strategies to explain. We absolutely love Judy's activities and games, and we are sure you will too.

MEMBER WEBINAR: The 4 Goals of Mistaken Behaviour

- Tuesday 10th July 2018 @ 4:15pm

Did you know that the feelings triggered by inappropriate behaviour can hold important clues to the way you respond to the behaviour? In this webinar you will learn why a student’s behaviour might cause you to feel annoyed, angry, hurt or helpless, and we will explore how your responses can either reinforce the inappropriate behaviour, or empower the student to learn more appropriate ways to have their needs met.

COMMUNITY WEBINAR: Working with Students with Learning Differences

- Tuesday 24th July 2018 @ 4:15pm 

Do you know what a learning difference is and how to assist a student in your class if they have one? Join us, and guest presenter Marion McMahon from SPELD QLD, for this very practical, fast paced webinar where you will learn
- some tips to identify these students,
- tips on what to do once you think they may have a learning difference, and then
- some very practical strategies to implement immediately.

TA TOOLBOX - Literacy and Numeracy

The National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions provide a roadmap of the sequence of children’s literacy and numeracy development from early childhood through to high school. Teachers can use this tool to identify students’ current level of development, and provide targeted support to address the individual needs of students.

How fabulous is your team?

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Thanks for the amazing response and feedback to this post. It seems there are many successful and collaborative teaching teams in Australian schools. 

Need to spice up your workwear?

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Recently, in our member Facebook group, a few of our teacher aides posted a photo of their latest purchase, showing undeniable commitment to their profession! Could this become the new standard in footwear for teacher aides?

WELCOME TO ATA!

Waverley Christian College

Koolkan Aurukun State School

Biboohra State School

Georges River College Oatley

Tully State High School Inclusive Learning Precinct Redcliffe State High School

Glenala State High School

Middlemount Community School

Eimeo Road State School

Deniliquin South Public School

Wodonga Institute of TAFE

Capricornia School of Distance Education

Whitsunday Christian College

Park Ridge State High School

Wyndham Central College

St Macartan's Parish Primary School

Hilliard State School

Cronulla High School

Pine Rivers Special School

Longwarry Primary School

St Brigid's Catholic Primary School

Singleton Heights Public School

Bardon State School

St Mary of the Angels Primary School Guyra