Virtual Learning Network

Hi there people. I'm looking for a bilingual school/ class/ teacher who would be willing to connect with my class to teach us Te Reo via video conference. We are a school on the West Coast and I'm looking to provide my students with an...

Hi everyone,  Last year my Y8s started a book chat on twitter because they wanted to get recommendations for our 40 Book Challenge from other kids around NZ. My class this year are really keen to continue this as they found it so...

Dear colleagues, Just to let you know about a new page from Services to Schools, National Library, on motivating and engaging your pre-teen readers. Content includes the characteristics of children during these years, causes of the upper primary...

Hello and welcome to everyone that has been joining the group. I am keen to hear what everyone's interests are and what we could discuss here.  I thought we could all do a bit of an introduction too! I'm Suzie Vesper and I currently work two...

It's that time of year when thoughts swing back to school. Over the holidays, I've been doing some reading in preparation for a difficult student I will be having this year. This led me to reading 'Whole brain teaching for challenging...

Hi all, Wow - where did this year go? Can't believe that we in the fourth term. I imagine that we are all in the thick of report writing. We've just run some asttle tests using the online portal. Generally, I think this is helpful...

We are currently using the GLOSS testing as a part of our snapshots for assessment. However, as we work in the Modern Learning Environment we feel that the this testing method isn't always the best format . We like the fact that it is normed but...

I thought that maybe we could share some resources we've found useful with each other using this platform. I've added the option for 'Group Resources' in the menu. When you click on this, you can search available resources or upload resources to...

I provided modules of work including units, games, video lectures and graphic organisers.  Get in touch if you are interested.

I am in a Year 5/6 class as the release teacher and both myself and the class teacher are very aware of the girls and the issues they  can bring to school and the effect of these and their social skills on their learning.  Has anyone...

Hey, I'm just wondering what sort of spelling programmes you all have in place for your Year 5 - 8s. What are the benefits and pitfalls of these. Our Junior School uses Joy Alcock but this doesn't meet the needs of many of our senior students.

Cross posted from Blended eLearning Literacy discussion  Year 7 and 8 Creative Writers

I'm going to be working with the top maths kids in the team who are all working at level 7/8 in maths. I'm looking for ideas on how to extend these kids. I'm thinking of using a problem solving approach with support from some of these...

Hi everyone I work in an MLE , with 3 classes, 3 teachers. We are looking for some more ideas for independent reading activities - we have done a number of Blooms /Thinking tools activities which have been highly successful, but we need to provide...

Hi, Lovely people. I am hoping some of you may be able to help me. I am super experienced with major behavioural problems and learning difficulties but I have a child in my class who I am stumped over and feel that I need help. This boy is Year 8...

I am looking for ideas to set up new planning systems for this year. I have followed some older threads but wonder if there is anyone out there using google sheets/docs/calendar to plan ??? I have developed serious thumb problems and would...

Hi all, I know we've been pretty quiet with the end of year madness and then a well deserved break. I hope everyone is having a lovely holiday! I'm making the move from Year 7/8 to Year 5/6 this year so, as the group admin, I've rebranded this...

Hi I joined the VLN about 2 years ago and have done very little one the site. This year I would like to come on here a little more and see what is going on, share some of my resources and see what other teachers are doing. This year I am teaching...

Hi there, I have one particularly gifted Year 8 writer in my Yr 7/8 class and I am looking to create a writers' group of similar students to have discussions around their writing via Skype or FaceTime or even a Google Hangout. I'm thinking that it...

Hi, I was wondering if anyone is willing to share an inquiry planning template as I am not happy with the one we have at school.  Was just wondering what others use and how effective it is.   Kristen