Learning stories

Ata: Resource collection 

This activity is part of the Ata collection of resources. See the resource carousel below for more.

Read background information

View collection

Learners will 

• Notice, describe, and reflect on their learning. 
• Develop a self-led approach to goal setting. 
• Identify and explore strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. 
• Describe where they are at in their learning and identify what their needs and strategies are. 
• Become empowered and resourceful in their learning strategies. 
• Develop a voice and contribute to an individual or collective learning pathway. 

Ways to use the resource 

• Use outcomes from the Developing strategies, Approaching challenges, and Check-in activities as a precursor to this exercise. 
• Work individually or in groups to identify, record, and discuss focus areas. 
• Capture outputs in a format of your choice. 
• Use blank Ata cards to capture new contexts. 
• As a teacher, reflect on the chosen focus areas and compare the perspectives. 

Instructions 

What you will need 

• Element and Context cards 
• Learning stories activity sheets: One per person or group

Activity 

• Preparation
  Although it is not essential, it can be helpful if learners have completed the Elements puzzle and Developing strategies activities at least once. 
• Prepare activity sheets
  You’ll need to print or photocopy one Learning stories activity sheet for each student or group. There are two formats of the activity sheet: two focus areas and four focus areas. Choose the format that suits your learners best. 
• Choose a focus area
  Choose which element(s) you want to focus on. 
• Choose a context
  Choose context(s) where you will focus them. 
• Plan and capture
  Ahead of your learning conversation, explore how you might approach this focus area in your chosen context. Capture ideas in the form of keywords or prompts that you could use when presenting your learning stories. Record these prompts in the provided space on the activity sheet.
  Use ideas from the Developing Strategies activity to help, if completed.
• Present
  Using the Learning Stories activity sheet, and your chosen Element and Context cards, present your learning stories, describing your approach and what you hope to achieve. 
• Customise
  Use group discussion and blank Ata cards, make your own Context cards that are relevant to your chosen element or focus area. 

Downloads 

See Materials that come with this resource to download:

• Ata blank cards (.pdf)
  Blank Ata cards in an A3-size printable format. Use for capturing ideas and customising the resource. 
• Ata Learning Stories activity sheets (.pdf)
  The A3-size Ata Learning Stories activity sheets in pdf format. 
• Ata Learning Stories teacher support material (.pdf)
  Teacher support material for the Ata Learning stories activity. 

Next steps 

• Use insights to design or modify future lesson plans and areas of learning inquiry. 
• Use the focus areas and contexts explored in this activity as reference points for future check-ins. 
• Repeat the process over time to notice and respond to ongoing changes.