August 2024 Update

Kia ora tatou

Here we are, right into the third term of 2024.  Hope everything is going well for you and that you have managed to avoid most of the winter ills.  I’ve been good though realised how tired I was when the July break started.  I think many of us felt the same.  I led two Teacher Only Days at the beginning of the break (one in Auckland for Learning Network; one at Morrinsville Intermediate for their kahui ako) and the rest of the break was ‘feet up’.  

Incidentally, I’m very appreciative of feedback from a beginning teacher who attended the Auckland day (I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the introductory session that I attended at the Waipuna Conference Centre today…. with you and 80+ other incredibly lucky teachers.  It was informative, thought-provoking and really made me think about different teaching approaches I can utilise in my classroom next term.  Thank you) and the leader of the Morrinsville kahui ako who told me that feedback has been amazing since your time with us across all schools. 

Thanks guys.  That’s what I do my job for – to engage teachers and make a difference for students.   

Below are two photos from the Morrinsville day.

Over the last four years, I’ve been busy creating an Online Resource for teachers, with around 100 videos of me launching writing lessons, undertaking shared writing and writing workshops with students, and leading professional discussions around instructional writing. 

As I move around the country observing teacher practice, I see some fabulous lessons which I think need to be captured on video and shared with others.  I’ve decided I would like to invite others to put forward their material.  So here is an opportunity to capture and share your work with the wider community.  

This is not to say that I will no longer create work for the resource, but I would like to take a step back and encourage you to contribute!  I’ve already tapped 3 excellent teachers of writing on the shoulder to create work for us.  Look out for it soon!

Would You Like To Contribute?

Are you  willing to put yourself out there?  Or do you know someone who you think should?  We offer a payment for your work, full editing and writing support and more!  Just get in touch, and we’ll set up the time to discuss possible ideas. 

There are several advantages for anyone who would like to contribute to the Online Resource:

• Have fun sharing your lesson to a wide audience.
• Support other teachers with new ideas and resources.  And we all love that.
• You would promote your profile as a teacher of literacy which could be an excellent career move for you.
• Get paid: I would offer a payment of $300 for each accepted piece of work.

What Equipment and Technical Skills Do I need?

We would be supportive and provide you with help and guidance. To find out more and get all the info visit our information page via the button below.

I’ve produced a little talk about all of this and you can watch it here.  And because I won’t necessarily be the centre of attention of the resource, we intend to adjust the price for subscribers from near the beginning of 2025.  More on this early next year.  

The Future of The Subscription Resource 

We are very excited and look forward to welcoming and sharing new content from new contributors.

The 60+ launch videos (Video Lessons), the 18 shared writing and writing workshop videos (Working With Students) and the 21 professional discussion videos (Murray Talks) already produced, will continue to be available for all existing or new subscribers.

For those of you who are still looking forward to new material from me, I’m planning to continue to read picture books and present video lessons that are new to me, and to discuss their instructional writing potential from time to time.  An example is the new video posted below about the kitten called Murray.

As we move forwards, I won’t necessarily be the centre of attention.  A price adjustment for subscribers will likely happen in 2025.  More on this early next year.  

A New Video Addition

Earlier in the year, I discovered a delightful book about a homeless kitten that I couldn’t resist for obvious reasons – Murray by Barb Berwin – and I have used it very successfully with students (especially Years 2-4) throughout the year.  See what you think, the video can be found here.

My Book

Sales of my book Building Young Writers: Engaging and Motivating Year 4-8 Students in Writing continue to do well and I continue to get great feedback on it.  If you or your school have not bought copies yet, remember that you can order it through Learning Network NZ

I continue to do launches of it around the country and, in fact, did a great launch in Christchurch (followed by a day’s workshop) just last week.  Thanks so much to Joy Hawke and her team from the Canterbury Literacy Association for organising this and to Tricia Carroll and her team at Banks Avenue School for hosting us.  Below is a photo of us doing some learning and having a few laughs. 

Approximately 100 teachers attended and I was thrilled to get this message (via the Literacy Association) from Cindy Neilsen, principal of Te Rohutu Whio School in Rolleston: Nga mihi for a lovely workshop.  My kaiako haven’t stopped talking about it, and we have a whole lot of vegetable writing happening in their spaces.  We loved hearing Murray speak so nga mihi nui for making that happen for us.  My literacy leaders are super excited to be drivers of change here.

Next stop is Hawke’s Bay (29-30 August).  Be great to see some of you there. 

Upcoming Events

Beside the book launch mentioned above, I’m presenting a Teacher Only Day for Queenstown teachers on 26 September.

I’m also leading three literacy-related workshops at the North Otago Teaching and Learning Conference 27-28 September. 

This will be a lovely way to segue into the October break.  Most other days of the term are filled in with classroom sessions.  And I’m already starting to think about 2025….

I do hope I get the pleasure of meeting and working with some of you at some of the above sessions.

Cheers, 
Murray

PS. Don’t forget to check out my latest Arts blog now online, in which I discuss some great fiction I’ve read over the past few months as well some excellent theatre and streamed series.