Ready for a deeper look into Walker Learning? This 3-day intensive takes a closer look at Walker Learning in action with the second day focussing on setting up Environments and the core elements of Walker Learning. On the final day, we look at Planning and Documentation and enhancing literacy and numeracy connections during Investigations.
Live online events
Tues 21st, Wed 22nd & Thurs 23rd Jan 2025
10.30am - 4.30pm AEDT
10.00am - 4.00pm SA & NT
9.30am - 3.30pm QLD
7.30am - 1.30pm WA
Ready for a deeper look into Walker Learning? This 3-day intensive takes a closer look at Walker Learning in action with the second day focussing on setting up Environments and the core elements of Walker Learning. Complete 18 hours (excluding breaks) of PD.
We are excited to announce that Professor Pasi Sahlberg will be our keynote speaker on Day 2 of our January 2025 Intensives! As a renowned Finnish educator and author, Pasi will share insights from his latest book, Let the Children Play: How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Our Children Thrive.
In his words, “Play is how children explore, discover, fail, succeed, socialise, and flourish.” This fundamental aspect of childhood is crucial for developing the skills children need to succeed. Pasi Sahlberg advocates for a balanced approach where literacy and numeracy skills are nurtured through engaging, play-based, and developmentally appropriate methods, ensuring that education fosters both academic and holistic growth.
Pasi’s presentation will shed light on the current state of play in Australia and advocate for more play in our educational systems to help children thrive both in and out of school.
This is an incredible opportunity to hear from one of the world’s leading advocates for play-based education! Join us and be part of the conversation that could reshape the future of our children’s learning.
Day 1 (full day): Walker Learning Virtual Study Tour (Preschool to Year 2)
The Virtual Tour takes you to a school where you will observe students and teachers in action, demonstrating the Walker Learning Approach. You will observe: tuning in, reflection, the learning environment, focus children and reporter and photographer. Further professional learning by our consultant follows, including unpacking the core elements of the pedagogy and using a virtual showcase of the core elements from Walker Learning classrooms across Australia.
Day 2 AM: Play Matters - A Walker Learning Overview
This session is an introductory presentation of the key elements of Walker Learning in the early years (ages 5 - 8). This session includes an overview of the following; the research and philosophy of Walker Learning, how to set up inspiring learning environments, the investigation session, how to authentically link literacy and numeracy into Investigations, implementation strategies for teams and schools and an introduction to Walker Learning documentation which links to the existing curriculum framework.
Completing Play Matters - A Walker Learning Overview will contribute 3 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Delivery and assessment of NSW Curriculum/Early Years Learning Framework addressing standard descriptors 1.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
Day 2 PM: Creating Engaging & Intentional Learning Environments
How do we create engaging and meaningful environments that promote and sustain children’s learning through play?
This session explores the importance of creating spaces that nurture and inspire whilst facilitating learning.
You will also see examples of how to add and use everyday materials within a realistic budget to assist children in their learning, engagement, and exploration both indoors and outdoors.
Completing Creating Engaging and Intentional Learning Environments will contribute 3 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Delivery and assessment of NSW Curriculum/Early Years Learning Framework addressing standard descriptors 1.1.2, 2.5.2 & 3.3.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
Day 3 AM: Walker Learning Planning and Documentation
This session provides a deeper understanding of Walker Learning documentation. We review Walker Learning documentation that streamlines and enhances planning, observations, assessment and reporting, including Planning Templates, Daily/Weekly record sheets and Individual Observation Records. We look at the variety of ways curriculum areas can be strengthened and deepened during investigations and formal teaching. It reviews planning and reporting, providing time-efficient and streamlined documentation.
Day 3 PM: Linking Literacy, Numeracy, and Subject Areas to Investigations and Learning Environments
Join us online for this extension workshop-style PD which explores through the use of presentation slides, expert discussion and audience Q&A a range of practical strategies and ideas to assist teachers in providing additional and meaningful literacy and numeracy into the school day.
The session will focus on the variety of ways literacy, numeracy and subject areas can be strengthened and enhanced during Investigation time. We examine how literacy and numeracy links are made through planning, documentation and conversation, and how explicit instruction continues during formal teaching throughout the day.
In addition, we review the importance of creating open-ended learning spaces that nurture and inspire whilst facilitating learning and linking to the curriculum framework.
Completing Linking Literacy, Numeracy, and Subject Areas to Investigations and Learning Environment will contribute 3 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Accredited PD in the priority area of Delivery and assessment of NSW Curriculum/Early Years Learning Framework addressing standard descriptors 2.5.2 & 3.3.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
Australian Professional Teaching Standards: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.5, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 5.4, 6.2, 6.3
Ideally suited for educators who are new to or early in their Walker Learning journey and working with children from 3 to 8 years.
The Walker Learning Pathway
The Walker Learning Approach is a journey and is best implemented through a pathway of PD modules which can be attended online or delivered as customised sessions to your school.