• Orange vests, t-shirts and highlighting difference – something to reflect on?

    I was out walking recently in Brisbane and came across a group of primary children on a school trip.  There was a lot of happy noise as the children and their teachers enjoyed a…

  • Lessons on Vulnerability

    Life has given me the same lesson in three different ways this week. It all started with Brene Brown’s book Daring Greatly.  She talks about our need for connection with…

  • Fireworks and other sparks to my learning

    I love the way my thinking is continually influenced by varied experiences and conversations with others.  Yet new learning sometimes hurts as much as it helps, and the way…

  • Open to Learning

    I learned something from my friend yesterday.  We were attending a conference on higher education in Auckland.  You know me by now; you can picture the workshops I would want to…

  • iPads as tools of change

    What is an iPad school? Are iPads the answer to differentiating the curriculum for all? Can iPads contribute meaningfully to a Universal Design for Learning?  Two different…

  • A thank you and a poem.

    Today I have someone to thank.  I do not even know her name, but perhaps I will print out this blog post and slip it under her office door. Walking into the doctor’s office…

  • Language of Sign

    I think Autumn is my favourite season. And the signs of change are all around with the leaves turning from green to beautiful  oranges, browns and reds. Different colours signal…

  • Imagine the poss-abilities!

    Photographer Takes a Boy with Muscular Dystrophy on an Imaginary Adventure Click here to read about a photographer who lives out kids dreams with them!

  • Deep Thoughts for Wellness Wednesday

  • Wordles Galore!!

    The task was “Create your own wordle to share with us which illustrates some of the terminology used in your practice!” Look at what some of our creative students came…

  • Inclusion the ‘in’ thing at Ranui School

    The New Zealand Education Gazette recently shared an inspiring success story about inclusive education. Ranui School was one of the few primary schools in New Zealand that still…

  • The power of language

    My friend sent me the most beautiful artwork yesterday.  Ever since, I have been thinking about the power of the language we use to shape our lives and, specifically, our…

  • The Rosie Project

    I get excited when my in-box includes a message titled, “your bookcrossing alert” – this tells me that one of our books has been released, travelling to new…

  • Accessible burgers!

    As I was reading the new blogs on the food for thought page it reminded me of a video I use to help highlight the importance of accessible formats for people who are blind or have…

    Flying high

    I’ve been travelling on long haul international flights recently, and, naturally, when one has many hours on a plane, some contemplation occurs! As I tossed up…

    Ingenious Jean

    Ingenious Jean is a children’s book written by Susan Chandler and illustrated by Kate Leake. It was released in our book crossing earlier this year, and…

    Difference

    If issues around difference … and identity and acceptance and love  interest you – then you must watch Andrew Solomon’s TedTalk  about his interviews with parent…

    Allies

    In my work as a researcher, some of the most powerful messages about what makes our schools inclusive come from children and young people. My last…

    Holidays and Inclusion

    Over the past week, I have been reflecting on holidays and inclusion.  Since childhood, I have always preferred the holidays where everyone was celebrated.  Christmas and…

    Mixing It Up!

    A recent media report of a study on ‘streaming’ suggested that this practice should be abandoned. Although the researchers did find some positive benefits for gifted learners…

    Problem Sharing

    A friend emailed this photograph of a mysterious vegetable to me and another mate the other day, asking if we knew its identity. She had bought…