Visit to West Dunbartonshire February 22, 2008
Posted by jmacaulay in : Active Learning, Classroom Organisation, Resources , trackbackMonday, 18th February - an early and chilly start for the members of the Early Years Strategy Group as we headed through to West Dunbartonshire for the day! The aim of the visit was to look at examples of good practise within the authority and to “pick the brains” of the people there who were involved in developing literacy packs for use in schools throughout West Dunbartonshire.
Our first stop was St Peter’s Nursery. It was interesting to see the way that this nursery was organised and how the staff there had resourced the three very different rooms. Because outdoor learning was limited, the first room was set up as a place for the children to move around and take part in creative activities. The second room was a busy place with spaces for imaginative play, construction, music and ICT. The snack tables and kitchen area were also located in this room. However, we were all impressed with the resourceful way that the third room had been transformed into a calm, quiet area. There were lots of textures, fabrics, natural resources and dens for the children to explore as well as a space for the children to come together. The staff were each allocated a group of children, which interestingly were a mix of three and four year olds - in West Dunbartonshire, both age groups are taught together, where there are opportunities for peer learning.
Next we went to join the Primary One class at St Peter’s Primary. The authority have invested in Early Intervention Teachers who are allocated to schools with the specific purpose of developing literacy. We observed a group of Primary one and two children having great fun building words in shaving foam with the EI Teacher, then followed them back into the classroom. It was reassuring to see that the set up and organisation of the class was similar to the model some of our own infant teachers in East Lothian are developing.
After lunch, we then heard from Linda Booth, a QI for the authority, about how the Listening and Talking, and writing packs were developed and rolled out onto schools. The main focus of these packs was on the delivery of the learning and teaching, ensuring active engagement, learning and attainment for all. This was particularly helpful, as this is the kind of thing the group has been working towards back in Haddington. West Dunbartonshire are currently in the process of developing a similar pack for reading.
With a lot to think about and even more to discuss, we headed back home.
Thanks to everyone in West Dunbartonshire who ferried us around, let us observe, chatted to us and made us feel very welcome!
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