This document summarizes reflections on dispositions for 21st century learning from Emily, Fiona, Simone and Stav at Yarraville West Primary School in September 2011. It discusses how incorporating dispositions like guided inquiry, metacognition, community engagement, and multilitteracies has enhanced learning and teaching. Various class projects involving active citizenship and international mindedness are described. The importance of consistent school-wide frameworks and involving community members like parents is also emphasized.

1. Reflections on Dispositions for 21st Century Learning… By Emily, Fiona, Simone and Stav Yarraville West Primary School September 2011

3. QUESTIONS If an inquiry only has one answer, it was probably not a good question.

4. GUIDED INQUIRY The teacher still needs to guide the inquiry and have guided questions.

5. As teachers, we do more than address a VELS outcome. If you’re teaching a unit because of a progression point, you are doing the BARE minimum.

6. In inquiry, key knowledge and skills have to be explicit. We do the same for literacy and numeracy.

7. Put up the map so that kids can see where they’re going. e.g. put up a rubric.

8. It’s the conversation that we have with the student that confirms how much learning has taken place – and not the piece of work they’ve just completed.

9. We have to teach students how to think. It’s a skill that’s transferable.

10. Whatever you practise becomes permanent, but not all habits are positive. – Need a consistent view across the school of what makes an effective learner and practise those habits.

11. You don’t forget, but you fail to remember. You have to do something to remember.

12. Can’t do it yet. Improvement takes place when it’s ‘just right’

13. IQ can change. It’s an ongoing process, it can be taught.

14. Intelligent behaviour is knowing what to do when you don’t know what to do…

15. How has ‘Dispositions for 21st Century Learning’ enhanced the learning and teaching at Yarraville West?

16. ACTION (Active Citizenship)

17. The Preps held a board meeting with Carole to make some suggestions about improving the playground

18. The Grade 1/2s researched the effects of palm oil and adopted a chimpanzee

20. The 3/4s held a cupcake stall to raise money for the RSPCA

22. The Grade 5/6s raised money for the Red Cross - Japan

25. INTERNATIONAL MINDEDNESS

32. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

33. Mud Monsters…

34. A word from Nick (the ‘Mud Monsters’ Dad) It meant that I got to know all of my son’s year last year… It also means that I can interact with the teachers. It brings everyone together. It doesn’t take much time but it makes a big difference.

35. Parents coming in to talk to the Grade 1 and 2 students about design

36. Open Afternoon during Education Week

37. Grade 4 students worked with an artist to create sculptures for our garden

38. Grade 5 and 6 students at the Community Centre during Refugee Week

40. We know that meaningful engagement, from our families, members of our school and wider community ensures we are providing the important positive factors that will work to increase student achievement and wellbeing at Yarraville West Primary School. (Kellie Walker – Art Teacher YWPS)

41. METACOGNITION

49. MULTILITERACIES

56. Where to next?

57. ASSESSMENT

59. WHOLE SCHOOL FRAMEWORK

63. PLANNING TEMPLATE

66. Thank you!