Understanding the Language of Learning
When we work together, we can achieve the best outcomes for 'our' children. This page contains information about the language of learning we use at St John's, such as Cultures of Thinking, Growth Mindset, Mathematical Thinking. We have included Tips for Developing your Child's Reading Comprehension skills. When you understand these concepts you will be able to help your children with their school work. This knowledge will support you through your child's education journey from Kindergarten to year 12.
Cultures of Thinking
Where does 'Cultures of Thinking' come from?
Ron Ritchhart, from Project Zero at Harvard, has been researching visible thinking and the creation of a culture that encourages students to engage, explore, be curious, find connections, and delve deeper into their thinking and their collaboration with each other.
He explains how parents and schools can work together to create a Culture of Thinking in this parent presentation (approx 7mins).
St John's has been a part of the project since 2019, but a lot of the foundations to developing a thinking culture have already been in place with our focus on developing growth mindsets, encourage student talk, and through the question prompts our teachers use (and encourage the students to use!).
What can we do at home to support this?
Check out the '9 apps for parents' (below) as a way you can engage with your child and their learning. Ron Ritchhart explains each of these in this parent presentation (approx 9mins).
In 2019 we introduced Cultures of Thinking to our parent community. For an overview of how you can support your child's thinking at home, have a read through the notes here: p_f_parent_session_-_cultures_of_thinking_-_feb_26_2019.pdf
Ron Ritchhart, from Project Zero at Harvard, has been researching visible thinking and the creation of a culture that encourages students to engage, explore, be curious, find connections, and delve deeper into their thinking and their collaboration with each other.
He explains how parents and schools can work together to create a Culture of Thinking in this parent presentation (approx 7mins).
St John's has been a part of the project since 2019, but a lot of the foundations to developing a thinking culture have already been in place with our focus on developing growth mindsets, encourage student talk, and through the question prompts our teachers use (and encourage the students to use!).
What can we do at home to support this?
Check out the '9 apps for parents' (below) as a way you can engage with your child and their learning. Ron Ritchhart explains each of these in this parent presentation (approx 9mins).
In 2019 we introduced Cultures of Thinking to our parent community. For an overview of how you can support your child's thinking at home, have a read through the notes here: p_f_parent_session_-_cultures_of_thinking_-_feb_26_2019.pdf
Making Thinking Visible!
Growth Mindset
What is a growth mindset?
Our focus on children developing a growth mindset links clearly with children developing as thinkers! It's about the power of the word yet!
- Growth Mindset video: Growth Mindset Animation - YouTube
- Stories to read with your child to encourage a growth mindset: Growth Mindset and Reading | Storytime Magazine
- More parent information on how to develop a growth mindset: Why Kids with a Growth Mindset become high achievers
Our focus on children developing a growth mindset links clearly with children developing as thinkers! It's about the power of the word yet!
- Yet means I might not get it right this time, but it doesn't mean I never will.
- Yet means I learn from my mistakes and get better every time.
- Yet means I don't give up at the first hurdle, I have another go.
- Growth Mindset video: Growth Mindset Animation - YouTube
- Stories to read with your child to encourage a growth mindset: Growth Mindset and Reading | Storytime Magazine
- More parent information on how to develop a growth mindset: Why Kids with a Growth Mindset become high achievers
Mathematical Thinking
Some adults shy away from maths because they had a negative experience learning maths at school themselves. Education practices have changed since you went to school. You can find out more about developing the right mindset for maths and the importance of not passing on your own negative experiences with maths to your children:
"No such thing as a Maths person" - watch 4 min video here
More resources for parents here
You can use the following posters to help you talk to your kids about maths.
Developing your child's reading comprehension skills
It is important to maintain daily reading at home. Your child can read TO YOU, you and your child can read TOGETHER, and you can read TO YOUR CHILD.
You can support them in building their understanding and comprehension through the types of questions and discussions you have with your child.
See more at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/practical-help-for-parents-and-carers/learning-resources/english/english-a-to-z/english-help-pages/comprehension-strategies-to-use-at-home
You can support them in building their understanding and comprehension through the types of questions and discussions you have with your child.
- Activating Prior Knowledge - "What do I already know about this topic?"
- Self-monitoring - "Hang on, this doesn't make sense..."
- Predicting - "I predict the book will be about...because..." "What do you think will happen next?"
- Questioning - "I wonder…" Why? When? What? Will? How….?
- Making Connections - "I know what that feels like because…" "This reminds me of…" "Does the story, situation, or characters remind you of another book, movie or something from your own life?"
- Visualising - "The picture in my mind is..." "I can see…" "I imagine..." "What picture do you get in your mind of that?"
- Inferring- "What do you think the author is trying to tell you…" "What is hidden in this text?" "What does it make you think..."
- Summarising - "The main idea of the story is..." "What is it all about?"
- Synthesising - "After reading this book what do you now think about…" "Have any of your feelings and thoughts changed about..." "What would you like to find out…" "What did this book made you feel and think….?"
See more at https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/practical-help-for-parents-and-carers/learning-resources/english/english-a-to-z/english-help-pages/comprehension-strategies-to-use-at-home