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christchurch library kid lit page with stories, author interviews, plus kids can comment! some activities as well. great for nz writers

resources for teachers - nz books & writers

updated tki for new NZ curriculum (english secondary section). 

nz teachers sharing their use of google apps

new software for schools. in the try it stage now. oz/nz schools only.

Blog being used as main school website in NZ

terrific tool that allows parents to educate themselves. nifty interface.

can search for written work via thesis, book, conference paper, etc. (new zealand)

great site for teacher resources - i particularly like the game-type novel study activities.  reasonable prices (to me here in nz), and shipping.

online spelling game for learning and competing.  uk site, so good for nz spelling.

online spelling bee. i experienced significant loading time with our slow nz broadband.

The NZ Key Competencies - What this means for teachers and for schools

this isn't a hymn usually heard here in NZ - but it's a great arrangement featuring school choirs

some resources available here, as well as ncea comments for level 1 and 3.

Is a lack of PD a barrier? Professional development is a barrier, although I think they can teach themselves much of what teachers need to be learning to be able to modernise their classrooms. The worst thing a teacher can say is: "who's going to teach me how to do that?" Teachers are teachers and should be able to teach themselves what they need to know. If they can't then they probably shouldn't be teaching. You want a teacher who can keep up. There are networks of other educators out there that can connect you with new skills. Professional development doesn't have to be something that is done to teachers - it can be just ongoing conversations they're having with other professionals that they're learning from every day.

finally, 1/2 year into new NCEA requirements, comes a resource kit for teachers.