Sharp Reading and Sport Canterbury PD

Last week I was fortunate enough to be apart of two different professional development opportunities. I attended a Sharp Reading course presented by Hilton Avery focusing on comprehension for young readers and a Sport Canterbury course based on how to best implement the SportStart tool kit. I felt as though both days were incredibly valuable in my development as a BT as I take onboard new learning and adapt my teaching to best suit the needs of the children within my class. Below are some of the key points I came away with...

Sharp Reading- Comprehension Strategies

•  Roadblocks - getting to the end of the text and asking students to identify any 'roadblocks', these are words that they are unsure of the meaning of and need defined. First you give the other students within the group the chance to clear them and if not successful then you go ahead and clear them. 
• ITTM: ''I think this means..'' - this phrase is used by selected students to unpack a sentence and for them to turn it into their own wording. Students take turns at this and teachers can mark them on their level of understanding after each attempt.  
• Info Bytes & Story Bytes can be used to aid this strategy but they can also be implemented in daily reading books selected. 
• Sharp Reading can be used in small guided reading groups and then trialled as a whole class reading lesson starter in replacement of the big book. The routine differs slightly for whole class, including peer sharing and other inclusive strategies to encourage the children to be constantly thinking. 

I found these strategies really successful as concentration levels were high as everyone was involved and constantly thinking and sharing ideas.

Sport Canterbury - SportStart

• There are two SportStart kits, SportStart which is red and SportStart 2 which is blue. We have two copies of both of these within the school located in the blue block. 
• The blue copy of SportStarts intended use is for the start of the unit and the end, this kit has the specific games in them. The red copy of the SportStart kit has games which incorporate the skills needed for the games and is used throughout the middle of the unit.
• All the games within the kit are inclusive of all students and there is minimal waiting around and exclusion due to ability levels. 
• Adapting an activity using STEP- Space, Task, Equipment, People.
• Having skill based games which aren't specific to a certain sport which encourages primary children in their 'golden years' to experience a range of skills and sports and not to become specialised in just one sport. This also encourages children who may be exposed to a certain sport to also join in. 
• Here is a link to of extra resources to compliment the tool kits : http://www.sportcanterbury.org.nz/new-zealand/teachers-sport-start/

I really enjoyed the Sport Canterbury session, taking part in the games and activities reminded me of the importance of inclusion at all times along with extending and supporting those that need it. I feel more confident in planning a P.E. unit knowing now I will be using both SportStart kits as they were intended to be used.