"It's not about the bean bag!"

I attended a great professional learning day run by Daniel Birch, Lisa Squire and Sharyn Afu from Hobsonville Point Primary School during the recent school holiday. We learnt about 'why' MLE and MLP is important and 'how' to make this happen in a class.

There was also time for discussions.... 

Reflection:

Much was around inquiring into our own practice and thinking about what learning should be like. The school vision and values and how we unpack them is equally important.

It was good to hear that some of the '19th Century' stuff is still important, but that the context needs to be different.

My conclusion:

Transformation is so important and change happens when we strive to improve what we are doing. By considering new ideas and different ways of 'doing' things, we would be able to provide our students with the very best we can.

My Storify:

~ "First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination." - Napoleon Hill ~

Half year reflection

At the start of the year there was a buzz on twitter about choosing one word for the year to focus on. I really liked the idea as I have my own opinion around Goals or Resolutions (as can be seen in my blog post in 2014).

The word I chose was 'open' and I listed numerous points to 'guide' me throughout the year.

Reflection:

• experiences that I would normally stay clear from -> (I got involved in the Excel Rotorua initiative and am part of the pedagogy development team. Huge challenge ahead!)
• transformation, by renewing my mind with new knowledge/learning -> (I am continuing my reading and wrote a reflection on 'Revisiting transformation & teaching practice') 
• accept new challenges and [maybe] changes -> (A project in progress...)
• develop and advance in my position as a leader -> (Started this journey in a whole school PL&D Workshop)
• have a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset 
• be mindful about little things to appreciate every day  
• work towards achieving a work-life balance -> (Argghh! Why do I still struggle with this one?!)
• the fact that 'not perfect' is o.k. - making mistakes is how we learn -> (Hard for a 'perfectionist', but I believe I am getting better at this)

~ Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." - Winston Churchill ~

Revisiting transformation & teaching practice

As Term 2 is about to conclude, I feel that I should reflect once more on my teaching practice.

I have made my students the focus, placed them in the centre and built on prior knowledge. I made a huge effort to individualize (but not personalize) the learning for each student.

Last year, during eFellow Master class sessions, we had numerous discussions about transformation. Therefore, I have revisited my reading on the 'Keys to transformation', a blog post by Derek.

Reflection time:
Have I used 'the three keys to unlock transformation potential'?

Firstly - My students were provided with choices and they had the ability to act on those choices. However, I feel that I should guide my students [even] more when making good and appropriate choices and assist them to act on them in their learning.

Secondly - In using my class wiki for several years now, I believe I found a way of embracing the wide range of contexts in which learning occurs. I acknowledge that learning is not confined to the classroom's four walls and students have an individual learning plan which they can access anytime, anywhere.

Thirdly - I feel that knowledge building is supported through the SOLO Inquiry model and Learning Buddy (Tuakana/Teina) system I use in class. My students also have the opportunity to interact and make connections with other students and classes through the weekly KidsedChatNZ twitter chat.

Next steps:

- Personalize the learning experience for all students (using progressions in 'kid-speak')
- To recognise my students as active participants at all levels of their learning.

~ "Learning and innovation go hand in hand. The arrogance of success is to think that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow." - William Pollard ~

Reading - not a challenge at home anymore

In collaboration with a colleague, I have [again] presented the Reading Together Programme to parents. A highlight for students were when the mobile library to came to our school as they now have their own library cards.

What I like about this programme is that families/whānau are involved and supported on how to help their child's reading at home more effectively. I feel that with offering this programme we not only improve the relationship between home and school, but we are helping our students to become keen and competent readers. 

One of the feedback highlights was when a parent said that her involvement in this programme [with her child] motivated her to become a reader herself again!

The overall outcome was extremely successful as improvement in reading levels of students whose parent's attended was evident.

~ "A book is a dream that you hold in your hand." - Neil Gaiman ~

Modern Learning Practice - edchatNZ

"What great timing" I thought, seeing this week's edchatNZ topic, as this has been discussed at last weekend's Educamp in Hawkes Bay.

Due to me facilitating a blogging session on the Saturday, I was unable to attend the session around Modern Learning Practice and I was rightly exited to learn more.

My eFellowship inquiry last year, focused on Modern Learning Pedagogy and when following the chat, it was clear that many educators are starting to focus more on this.

However, I think that [at times] too many emphasis are being placed on the 'environments' rather than the practice.  

In my opinion, UDL (Universal Design for Learning) could be incorporated into this context. I am looking forward to learning more in due course. 

My Storify:

~ "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm Z

Sharing and Learning at EduCampHB

I thoroughly enjoyed my road trip to this year's EducampHB.  One of the highlights was meeting many of the people in my PLN. I cherish this moments where I have a chance to have a 'real life' conversation with them.  The learning conversations and ideas shared were endless.

Meet and greet opportunity

Contributing to the Smackdown presentation
on Blogging and TeachMeetNZ

One of the sessions that people choose to learn more about was around blogging.  I was happy to facilitate the session and answered questions around this wonderful tool 

My Storify of the day:

~ "Creative thinking inspires ideas. Ideas inspire change" - Barbara Januszkiewicz ~

'Mentoring and Coaching: The relationships that make a difference'

After having PD around coaching and mentoring earlier this year, I really enjoyed reading the discussion around this topic.

If you want to learn more about effective 'Mentoring and Coaching, this Storify by Rob McTaggard would be worthwhile to have a look at.

~ "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" - Winston Churchill ~