http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.learningmatters.co.nz en-us Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:41:55 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/post/161224/learning-is-learning-what-it-really-takes-to-shift-the-dial-in-classrooms-schools-and-intervention/ As we enter our tenth year of Learning MATTERS, it is both exciting and grounding to look back and see how far we have come. A decade ago, much of our work was about developing awareness, translating the research into practice, building community, and advocating for an evidence-based system. Essentially, our work was centred on cultivating the literacy landscape. We were focused on challenging ineffective practices and helping schools reorient around structured literacy and explicit in... Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:02:34 +1300 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/#post161224 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/post/160421/three-lanes-on-the-teaching-highway-and-the-on-ramp-that-is-explicit-instruction/ Teaching is complex.At any given moment, teachers are managing content, lesson structure, and live instruction. At the same time, they are responding to students in real time and ensuring that delicate balance between too much and too little cognitive load. The challenge is not doing more, but doing specific things well, based on what we know about how learning actually happens,  without overwhelming working memory.... Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:14:46 +1300 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/#post160421 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/post/159440/the-calm-before-the-consistency/ As a new school year begins, the language of “new year, new beginnings” often finds its way into our thinking. In our personal lives, New Year’s resolutions can come with pressure to overhaul, reinvent, or start again. We have been reflecting on how well that thinking serves us, in a professional sense.There is no room for “brand new” in effective literacy implementation. Rather than starting from scratch, we can build on what's already working. Many if not most schools ... Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:32:46 +1300 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/#post159440 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/post/155880/beyond-politics/ Recently I attended my second  Australian School Improvement Summit, hosted by Elena Pasquini Douglas and her inspiring team at The Knowledge Society. What stood out to me most was the shift we are seeing in education, not just in New Zealand but in Australia too. The conversation is evolving, broadening, and becoming more ... courageous.Lately it feels to me like education here in New Zealand has become weighed down in the politics of it all.  I think that we have to keep remindi... Fri, 07 Nov 2025 10:11:49 +1300 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/#post155880 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/post/153895/adolescent-writing-and-the-writing-rope-framework/ What a privilege it has been to listen to Joan Sedita, whose session powerfully bridged research and practice through the lens of her Writing Rope framework. She reminded us that writing is a complex, interconnected process that requires explicit, systematic teaching across multiple strands if we are to develop proficient and confident writers.Joan unpacked three essential strands: Critical Thinking, Text Structure, and Syntax, each explored through a practical, evidence-based lens that reinforc... Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/#post153895 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/post/153846/rocking-your-literacy-block-insights-from-lindsay-kemeny/ There is so much going on at The Reading League Conference and I have been racing around to make sure I don't miss anything.  One of the stand-outs has been the session with Lindsay Kemeny. I knew this one would be a goodie, the entire session was centred around practical ways to bring the Science of Reading to life in your literacy block.Lindsay walked us through her literacy block step by step, sharing not just what she does but why she does it. One of her key messages was that there is n... Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:31:25 +1300 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/#post153846 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/post/153782/deepening-knowledge-strengthening-practice/ The Summit on the Science of Reading in Higher Education concluded with something truly special. It was an opportunity to connect personally with authors whose work is shaping teacher preparation and professional learning around the world.Lindsay Kemeny, Joan Sedita, Molly Ness, Sarah Brown, Stephanie Stollar, Nancy Hennessy, Elsa Cardenas-Hagan, Lyn Stone, Jan Hasbrouck, and Anita Archer each brought insight, humility, and conviction about how their work can be used to deepen understanding and ... Thu, 09 Oct 2025 11:25:05 +1300 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/#post153782 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/post/152603/learning-memory-and-creativity/ At the Teaching Matters Summit in Hobart, Dr Nathaniel Swain’s keynote was an absolute standout. It was insightful, energising and full of practical wisdom about how learning and memory work. Nathaniel began by revisiting Sir Ken Robinson’s famous claim that schools kill creativity. He explained why that argument is not supported by evidence. Rather than stifling imagination, explicit teaching lays the groundwork for it. When students master the basics through clear, well sequenced inst... Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/#post152603 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/post/152601/bold-change-and-celebrating-real-classrooms/ It was great to attend the Teaching Matters Summit in Hobart and to see a small Kiwi contingent there. As we continue to move forward with Structured Literacy and broader reform here in Aotearoa, I have developed a genuine passion for all things reform. I enjoy going deep in my own learning about what truly successful and impactful change takes.   ... Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:29:55 +1200 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/#post152601 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/post/151414/instructional-routines-and-scripting-of-lessons-friend-or-foe/ For many years, myself included, we have known what to teach. The curriculum sets that out clearly. The real challenge, where the rubber hits the road, is how we teach it. Each time a curriculum change arrives, and there have been many, teachers are left asking: How do I teach this? What do I say, and when? How do I keep students actively involved? How do I notice, respond, and adjust in the moment, while still keeping the lesson on track? It is a lot to hold in mind. Instructional routines... Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.learningmatters.co.nz/blog/#post151414