October Workshop: Full of Energy and Learning!

Both the morning and afternoon workshops were full of eager "soon to be" teaching professionals as well as experienced teachers currently working as relief teachers who were looking to gain more insights in to the unique world of relief teaching. The workshop contained many interactive strategies designed to demonstrate the teaching ideas that appeal to all styles of learning. It is always my pleasure to lead these workshops in the knowledge that I am supporting fellow teachers as well as the many students in their care.

Feedback allows me to continue to refine and craft the "Relief Insight" workshops to be both relevant and purposeful for the special teachers who attend. If you are not able to attend in person, know the workshop book forms the backbone of the day. Purchasing the book via the blog site gives you access to many of the strategies and insights that I bring to life on the day of the workshop. I have tried to write in a conversational style and many people say it is just as if I am having a chat with them! So long as the resource is user- friendly I am pleased. I love hearing the success stories and the many ways people then use the "Relief Insight" strategies.

If you are reading this and have been to one of my workshops ...please leave a comment and let others know what worked for you.

Meanwhile I will sign off with a few of the feedback comments....

• "Carmel, your warmth and passion for teaching really shone through. Thank you for sharing your valuable insights!" (Erin)
• Thank you for sharing with us so much of yourself. The session was wonderfully informative, engaging and realistic. I am so very excited to implement these in my classroom. Very inspiring. " (Jo)
• "Variety of strategies that I can't wait to use. Exactly what I needed before internship."(Ellen)
• "This is a good presentation for trainee teachers. Experienced teachers can also benefit greatly from your expertise.Thanks you Carmel. I had a great morning. " (Shelagh)
• "Content very creative and original. Explanation/links to how and why activities are done will be very handy in my application. " (Josh)
• "I appreciated all the content given as it was very appropriate to my queries I had for relief teaching. " (Rebecca)
• "Presentation matched the quality and professionalism of the content." (Therese)

Live, laugh and learn,

Carmel

Next Workshops 1st October 2011 : AM &PM

Thanks to all the enquiries about the next workshop. Finally secured a date and time with the Chermside Library and due to your overwhelming response I have manage to book the room for the whole day.(Saturday 1st october) This means I am able to offer two workshops (morning and afternoon) and keep the numbers at comfortable level. As always be ready for a workshop fullof fun and learning...I know I do!

Live,love and laugh,
Carmel


“Relief Insight”
Relief/ Supply Teacher Workshop for Primary School Teachers
Presented by: Carmel Kuhr (Dip of T, B.Ed)

• Want to learn more about what it really means to be a relief teacher
in today’s school environment and reflect on quality teaching practices in this role?
• How to get started? What to get organised?
• Want to be inspired by behavior management and organisational strategies
that really deliver results?

No matter whether you are an experienced classroom teacher or student teacher, this workshop will give you an insight into establishing classroom strategies that build relationships and make the classroom environment a place of productivity, fun and learning.
MORNING WORKSHOP:
Venue: Chermside Public Library, 375 Hamilton Rd, Chermside.
Time: 8:45am for a 9:00am sharp start until 1:00 pm
Professional Hours: 3 ½ hours ( QCT Certificate of Participation supplied)
Date: Saturday 1st October, 2011
Cost: $50 pp (includes comprehensive resource handbook)

AFTERNOON WORKSHOP:
Venue: Chermside Public Library, 375 Hamilton Rd, Chermside.
Time: 1:15pm for a 1:30pm sharp start until 5:00 pm
Professional Hours: 3 ½ hours ( QCT Certificate of Participation supplied)
Date: Saturday 1st October, 2011
Cost: $50 pp (includes comprehensive resource handbook)




RSVP: Essential ASAP. Please leave your name, current teaching status & contact details via email. Accurate numbers essential for booking the venue. Limited numbers due to available room size. I will confirm the workshop numbers and viability with a reply email on Wed 28th Sept.

Mobile: 0409 034 189 (Carmel)
Blog: http://relief-insight.blogspot.com
Email: carmelkuhr@internode.on.net

Addresses QCT Standards :
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10
   - - -  -  

This invitation is open to all teaching professionals.
Please spread the word!

"Relief Insight" ...The Next Workshop

Relief/ Supply Teacher Workshop for Primary School Teachers
Presented by: Carmel Kuhr (Dip of T, B.Ed)

1. Want to learn more about what it really means to be a relief teacher
in today’s school environment and reflect on quality teaching practices in this role?

2. How to get started? What to get organised?

3. Want to be inspired by behavior management and organisational strategies
that really deliver results?

No matter whether you are an experienced classroom teacher or student teacher, this workshop will give you an insight into establishing classroom strategies that build relationships and make the classroom environment a place of productivity, fun and learning.

Venue: Chermside Public Library, 375 Hamilton Rd, Chermside.
Time: 9:15am for a 9:30am sharp start until 1:30 pm
Professional Hours: 3 ½ hours ( QCT Certificate of Participation supplied)
Date: Saturday 23th July, 2011
Cost: $50 pp (includes comprehensive resource handbook)

RSVP: Essential ASAP. Please leave your name, current teaching status & contact details via email. Accurate numbers essential for booking the venue. Limited numbers due to available room size. I will confirm the workshop numbers and viability with a reply email on Wed 20th July.

Blog: http://relief-insight.blogspot.com
Email: carmelkuhr@internode.on.net

Fabulous Workshop March 26th

I am always so impressed by the integrity and capabilities of the people who attend my workshops. It is always a pleasure to sharing and giving back to the profession I love. Meeting up with so many lovely colleagues all at different stages and points in their journey is both refreshing and humbling.

We are all life long learners and in Relief Insight workshops this fact is so apparent! While we have lots of fun and learning "unpacking" my workbook I am acutely aware that little time is left for sharing and questioning.

Time is both our enemy and our friend. Using it wisely in a professional world like teaching is one of the most challenging skills! However from the feedback that I have received both from this workshop and many previously it is time to extend the opportunity into MORE RELIEF INSIGHT!

At the moment I am thinking this will be run on a Saturday morning in the same way as the Relief Insight one is currently. However if the participant has already been through the first workshop we have a perfect opportunity to .....

1. Review how the strategies from the original workshop

have been working in the classroom,

2. Reflect: Reflect on shared strategies from the group that are willingly added to the pool of ideas. Develop a more strategies from the workbook on a "I see, I do, I understand" level.

3. Respond: By allowing much more time for Q&As and the sharing of experiences and your collected wisdom.

A workshop of this nature would also be run by the Professional Standards QCT and therefore additional PD hours for your registration needs. Last workshop I extended the hours by 30 minutes. It would appear that most people need to finishing by 12:30 with 1pm being the latest so 3 hours PD would be gained. Unfortunately evening hours are difficult as are full Saturday workshops draining on family and other working commitments. If you have any other suggestions please write and let me know. The Chermside rooms may be available on a Sunday?

What are your thoughts? I would LOVE to hear them.

Meanwhile,

Live,laugh and learn....

Carmel

Starting the Day Right!

We all appreciate that knowing what comes before us is both reassuring and work efficient ; not only for us as the educator but also for the students. I am sure that there are some anxious students who breathe a sigh of relief when they see an agenda for the day....."She does know what she is doing! "

I also know that depending on the circumstances you may not know what is happening for the whole day due to a whole lot of reasons that are beyond your control. When this happens I just plan the time through to the next break with the children. This way we both have control over the pacing as well as the content that will be covered. It also gives you time to get organized after the next break!

Older children enjoy a vertical display of the sequence of the day on the whiteboard with or without times. I often plan this with the class, letting them know that this is the work expectation and asking if there is any other finishing work they would like time to work on or any other activity I have not included. This is their learning space and I am working with them to make it the best it can be for the day. This atmosphere of collaboration usually brings out leadership skills in the older children as you show them respect and in return you would like to be shown respect. This is also when I use the magnetic clock face. I often place a tick in the box as you finish that activity as a visual display of the day’s achievements too. It helps to keep everyone on task. I am sure they enjoy knowing what is coming up next as well as seeing what has been achieved for the day.

For younger children I record the day in simple pictures or words. A child colours the star beside the item as we work through the day . This can also act as a reward for a hard working child at the end of that activity to colour the star on the whiteboard. Little ones like the visual structure too.

So whether you do a vertical or a horizontal agenda it is easy to add any reminder notes into the visual representation of the time. I make constant use of a magnetic clock face I always carry too. I display the time that rotation or activity will finish. Children are able to cross compare the clock face on their classroom clock to the static clock face to know how much time is left. I also use the static clock face as a visual reminder to a child who may be anxious about an appointment time eg dental appointment is at 2:30pm. By putting the time on the clock face the child feels calmer and I am reminded of the appointment as well!

Sometimes all these little things add up to be big things that make your day run smoother and the children feel that atmosphere too. If you liked this tip please leave a comment or if you have some others to share please feel free to leave a comment also. Our profession is a sharing profession.

So live,laugh and learn,

Happy days.

Carmel

Upcoming Workshop 26th March 2011

“Relief Insight”

Teacher Workshop for Primary School Teachers

Presented by: Carmel Kuhr (Dip of T, B.Ed)

• Want to learn more about what it really means to be a relief teacher

in today’s school environment?

• How to get started?
• What to get organised?
• Want to be inspired by behavior management and organisational strategies

that really deliver results?

No matter whether you are an experienced classroom teacher or student teacher, this workshop will give you an insight into establishing classroom strategies that build relationships and make the classroom environment a place of fun and learning.

Addresses QCT Standards :

1.	2.	3.	4.	5.	6.	7.	8.	9.	10
P	P	P	-	-	-	P	-	P	P

VENUE: Chermside Public Library, 375 Hamilton Rd, Chermside.

TIME: 8:45am for a 9:00am sharp start until 1pm

PROFESSIONAL HOURS: Four (QCT Approved)

DATE: Saturday 26^th March, 2011

COST: $40 pp (includes comprehensive resource handbook)

RSVP: Essential ASAP. Please leave your name & contact details via email. Accurate numbers essential for booking the venue. This is not a business but rather a service! Certain numbers are required to cover the associated costs.

I will confirm the workshop numbers and viability with a reply email on Wednesday before.

Mobile: 0409 034 189 (Carmel)

Blog: http://relief-insight.blogspot.com

Email: carmelkuhr@internode.on.net

This invitation is open to all teaching professionals.

Welcome to the new year of 2011.

What a beginning to the new year we have had. Here is Brisbane we thought we had seen the worst of the weather and the best in human nature. Poor Christchurch saw Mother nature's fury on a whole other level. How our souls cry for their loss. Our actions speak louder than words in times like this!

So please forgive me, dear readers, as I have been otherwise occupied along with these major world events. No, my family was not directly impacted by the Brissie floods but extended family and support has been exhausting and time consuming. All the wheels of life had to still grind back into to gear and yes the new school year still sprang back into life. It is amazing what we can achieve in what is really is very little time when we all work together and share. I guess this is why I put my "Relief Insight" knowledge out there for you to share too...so you can go and be more for the good of the next generation.

As for me 2011 is looking full of the usual challenges of life and life balances. I am really thrilled to doing a part time teacher librarian role as well as part time year 2 contract. This still allows me to run the Relief Insight workshops and speak at the universities as invited. The wonderful school that I call home this year also needs me to do relief work so I am never too far for the "front line. "

In closing, here is a bit of annual spring clean I do each start of the new school year...a bit late I know but better late than never!

My top ten tips......

• Re-sort all my resources into class appropriate sections.
• Cull any resources you really know you may never use!
• File resources and add to my log of usefull ideas I have gathered throughout the year.
• Set up an digitial file of interesting resources for each year level. (Good way to clear the paper clutter and always have a permanent record. I keep one USB for each year level to take to school with me for the just in case moments.)
• Update my knowledge re current kids movies, music etc by reading latest D-Mag or the like. ( I only have to sneak a look at my youngest son's collection!!)
• Up -date and refine great websites that you find really useful.
• Re-fill the paper copies of the daily agenda and notes sheets you use to document your day's work for the class teacher.
• Critically review my resources eg certificates etc and evaluate their worth.
• Take time to reflect on the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY of your previous year. What did I learn? What will I do differently in the future? Seek answers to your questions otherwise you will be bound to repeat the past.
• Set my professional goals, time frame and work towards achieving them. Seek out professional development that suits these end goals.

All the best for 2011.

Live,laugh and learn,

Carmel