Inspiration

The last few weeks I have started thinking about each lesson as a challenge for the students. I pose the question in my mind how canI actively engage the student in this assignment. How can I make this task real, fun and interesting to them. I haven't found the magic question yet I am still dealing with the issues of the gr.5 being very young and having been taught quite differently than I teach. I am blogging now so that means things are moving forward and I am starting to win them over. I have a few students that are starting to drive their education. I have many students 1wanting to blog events on the school student blog site. The writing they are doing is beautiful. I do very little editing. They are taking great pride in doing a good job and I support them with giving them lots of time and trust.

Sir Ken Robinson once again has inspired me with one of his TED talks also one of my co-workers. A new person came on staff and immediately I felt judged negatively by him for what others were saying about me and what he perceived was excellence in teaching. He came to me the other day after sending me the link on the TED talk and made a complimentary statement about now seeing what I was trying to do with the children. He recognized that I was trying to inspire them to be independent learners and to be creative in their representation of their learning. His comments have inspired me further to not give up, it has been a hard fall trying to facilitate the children's learning when they want to be spoon fed.

I don't need a lot of affirmation but some helps!

The Fall was HARD!

Well I am back!  Back to blogging back to tweeting and maybe back to that great inquiry classroom of last June.  I haven't been able to get back into the groove!  Lots of reasons mainly - new class, still young, don't know my ways or my expectations.  I am starting to see the light.  It is Tuesday no parents in  and time to tweet and catch up.

November was a great month!  I did a workshop for the district on Flipping the class.  Ended up with about 15 people and the Superintendent (he stayed for the whole thing) and lots of discussion. I made a video so I kind of flipped the workshop.  The video made the workshop very easy for me because I hardly talked just answered questions. The course was set up on the moodle with lots of links examples and such. http://youtu.be/vvkn9LWWI-k   

The math coordinator came into my class to watch the follow up to a flipped video.  The children were wonderful about 13 of them actually watched the video she it was good for her to see how I handled the situation.  This is exactly what I get too. http://youtu.be/6rCA_LNo0m8

Yesterday I did another workshop on Using the internet for a local school staff.  Went very well with lots of questions and engagement.  It was all set up through a course on the Moodle and organized so the staff can access it as a resource.  http://www.mindmeister.com/91990859/the-day

August 22nd Thinking about the new school year!

Here I sit, the class is ready, the computers and ipads are all charged and ready to go.  Now the hard part starts-how do I get that feeling of inquiry teaching back.  Last May and June were fantastic.  The children were engaged and having fun and so was I.  They were in charge of their education and learning efficiently.  I do remember how important using this blog was it kept my mind on what I was doing and made me think about each day and the great things that were happening.  I also remember how important staying in touch with my social media friends were.  They had great articles and wonderful suggestions and encouragement.

My mind is a whirl about the start up and the new students!

I do remember that last year and all summer I have thought about being more kind!  To do this I must take care of myself - sleep is the most important!  I get lots of exercise, good food and lots of love so to focus on the one thing shouldn't be hard!

Session 4 thoughts keeping students engaged

In high school they are talking about Self- esteem important by having students succeed at what they are doing. In elem. it maybe because of the lack of success. As mentioned in an earlier blog keeping curiosity alive in the classroom keeps studnet involved. Success valuing students and relationships. Community look at which child needs and make sure that need is filled. A student who is very difficult to engage try to customize his learning following his interest bikes. Design a bike store, sales profit gear ratios evolution of the sport, metallurgy. Reading, science, math, socials, HCE, test rides evaluation Break the tribes with drama games separating friends.

Day 1 from Calgary

Design for thinking  - brainstorming  what makes students engaged - picture for principal from delta.  give voice to students to help engage them.

all to help engagement and curiosity

Plan for the difficult to engage student in class?