NAPLAN
After abandoning teaching fads and adopting old style ‘direct instruction’ a cluster of Catholic schools (56 schools) in the ACT and Goulburn have shot to the top of NAPLAN this year. Catholic schools that have underperformed for years were directed in 2020 by the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn to adopt explicit teaching methods.
Explicit teaching requires the teacher to
1. Introduce a new concept,
2. Children practice or repeat concept,
3. The teacher tests for success, and
4. Reteaches where necessary.
Image Pixabay
Within four years the schools have delivered their best ever NAPLAN outcomes. These schools are recognised by ACARA ( Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority) as making a difference in the ACT. ACARA compares schools where students come from households with similar incomes, education and occupations.
Based on an article written by Natasha Bita, 04/12/2024 the australian.com.au
making a gate wreath
I want to freshen up our Christmas decorations this year, but don’t have a lot of time to spare. I found a bag of Christmas bits and pieces in a cupboard when I was looking for something else and knew I could incorporate them on a very plain wreath I already had but hadn’t used in the past. The wreath had clusters of red berries and little lights run off batteries and could easily be attached to our front gate.
Arranged the decorations on the wreath and contemplated how I would secure them. The wreath had a wire frame and the decorations had wire stems, so I decided to twist the decorations onto the frame. Went to work on it. Poked the clusters in place, did a bit of rearranging and a lot of twisting and the decorations were secure. Finished. Added batteries to see if the lights worked. All good.
end of year yoga
I’ve been going to the same yoga class for about six years, although the sessions were patchy and sometimes on Zoom during the pandemic. We end each year with a Christmas party. Our class is made up of an eclectic group of people, some with dietary restrictions, so I took curried egg sandwiches to the first party. They disappeared in no time. Now, I am reminded frequently before the party each year that I’m expected to take curried egg sandwiches. So easy! And a lovely morning, too.
herbs
I frequently use herbs in cooking. Years ago I used to buy them from the supermarket or the green grocer but preparing food for two people meant there was a lot of waste. They either went limp in the fridge or slimy in a glass of water. Either outcome meant they were thrown out.
The solution was obvious! I needed to grow my own. Made a list of the herbs I commonly used and either planted seeds, or in the case of the mint and parsley, got some from my Mother. I grew spring onions from the cut off white bit on the end with roots attached and they have been providing us with fresh spring onions for about 20 years.
Image Pixabay
I also grow chives (from seed) and basil, also from seeds collected at the end of the season. I have shallots, grown from seed, as I use them in a great David Lebovitz dressing, (not including the recipe as I’ve tweaked it to suit us but you can see similar by searching his name and FRENCH VINAGRETTE), plus perennial spinach. The spinach isn’t a herb but adds a dash of green and lovely flavour added to so many things. I have three plants which feed two people regularly.
The other flavours I rely on regularly are lemons and limes. The juice or zest adds to both sweet and savoury dishes. I have a lime tree in the courtyard at the front and lemons out the back. I really like passionfruit, too, but the vines never thrived and I eventually pulled them out. Disappointing.