In 1886, a guide book for the teaching of elementary (Primary) English, was published in New York. Beginning with the basic learning symbols – the English alphabet – and ending with proofreading marks – the symbols used to edit manuscripts…
Month: July 2018
Are you smarter than a 12-year-old?
How well do you know the Australian Constitution? According to the Australian Curriculum (AC), Year 7 students (12-year-olds) who reach the Achievement Standard are able to ‘explain features of Australia’s Constitution, including the process for constitutional change’. They can also…
Discrimination: Discerning Difference
Discrimination – the capacity to recognise a distinction or to differentiate – is a remarkable innate trait without which we could not survive. Babies are hard-wired to discriminate – to identify their mothers’ features among those of other women. We…
Handwriting: Gone With The Wind
A bundle of letters from a ‘pen pal’ – my best friend at primary school. A collection of Christmas cards from students I taught 30 years ago. Birthday cards from loved ones, some now deceased. They have no material value,…
Reality: Yours, mine, ours!
Cast your mind back to 2001, to one of the most heartbreaking events of recent times – the attacks of September 11. Where were you when you heard the news? How did it affect you? I was in New York that…