Challenge Week Two

1. Write a blog post about an education question/ challenge/wondering that you have or are facing. You don’t need to have the answer/solution.

My question: How can I use SOLO more effectively to enhance development of the Key Competencies within my curriculum areas and beyond ... I use SOLO in my junior (Y9/10) classroom with each unit, and do relate it to these areas for the students.

Source

For this term, I have created/adapted a variety of SOLO templates to come up with this for our Habitat Hero's unit.

Relating To Others
Share ideas and listens	I need help to recognise and use listening skills	I sometimes listen to what others are saying	I listen to others most of the time and can respond to what they’ve said and may share a personal viewpoint.	I listen to others without interrupting and notice different points of view.  I can respond in appropriately (right time/context/situation)	I reflect on what I listen to and am prepared to change my own opinions.
Co-operating with and accepting others	I need help to interact with and accept others.	I can sometimes interact with others and accept other people’s differences.	I recognise and accept everyone is different and can work with others to produce an end result.	I make an effort to accept and co-operate with others.  I am aware how my words and actions will affect others.	I can reflect on how successfully I interact with my peers and adults.  I can effectively co-operate with others, accepting our differences.
Language Symbols And Text (LETTERS/REPORTS/SUBMISSIONS)
Uses technologies to access and provide information	I need help with digital technologies	I sometimes use digital technologies	I use technologies in appropriate situations	I effectively use a range of digital technologies to enhance my learning.	I can decide which digital technology will enhance my learning and I can use it confidently.
Selects appropriate LST to communicate verbally	I need help with speaking	I speak in class when asked, but reluctantly.	I can express ideas verbally in an appropriate manner with some confidence.	I can confidently express relevant ideas in a class situation   and can explain how they relate to a variety of situations.	I can confidently express my ideas in both classroom and wider situations.
Uses appropriate LST in written work	I need help with written work.	I can write sentences and paragraphs.	I can express ideas in my chosen written with some confidence and accuracy.	I can express relevant and connected ideas in an appropriate written format with confidence and accuracy, linking a variety of forms together if and when needed.	I can confidently and effectively express connected ideas in an appropriate written format.

I am not sure if this is exactly SOLO to the letter, but it is a starting point for me and my students.  

Please share what you are doing and helpful pointers cheerfully accepted :-)

Wordless

I will get back to the #EdblogNZ challenge posts - but for now, our wee community needs your thoughts and prayers.  An amazing colleague has lost her husband in a tragic accident - so for now, it's rallying around her and all that that entails.

Back when I can.

Take Two ...

I had grand intentions of blogging last night - but family came first!  My biggest boy turned eight.  I am not quite sure how, but somehow eight years have past since this tiny bundle of baby surprised us four weeks early.  I had finished teaching at the end of Term 3 on a high - my students had given me a "surprise" baby shower.  I was going to relax and had five weeks to finish the nursery and knitting.  Six days later we welcomed our first son!   It's been an up and down journey - I'm pretty sure I haven't got the parenting thing down pat, but eight years and five kids later - I am in love with the journey.

The outfit we had picked out for him to come home in ... it was too big for a 6lb preemie.

Yesterday's actual journey took us from Twizel to Oamaru - about two hours.  I hadn't been down that way before, so my husband pointed out all the landmarks along the way.  I am keen to do the trip again and stop at the Maori Rock Art and have a slow explore of the museums without little people.  We did get to explore the Bontanic Gardens which were so beautiful.  Daffodils, tulips, magnolias, camillas, and cherry blossoms were all out in bloom - I could have just sat in the sun and drunk it in for hours.  However, little people wanted to explore, so we roamed around and took over the playground for awhile.

Blossoms! - photo credit DH

 Path to run on!  Photo credit: DH

Homeward bound we frequented our local enjoying the $20 steak night for us adults and fried goodness as a birthday treat for the kids.  Dessert was waiting for us at home, rich chocolate cake with cream cheese chocolate frosting and eight coloured candles.

So - how does this relate to my journey as an educator.

 I think having my own babies has made me value and appreciate my students' parents.  As my kids entered the primary system, I again realised and recognised how much and how important it is to communicate with parents - every parents wants to know how their child is going - they want to know the good, the bad and the ugly.  A wise fellow teacher once told me that the parent teacher conference shouldn't be the first time a parent hears their child is struggling.  I have taken this on board and it has made me more confident about connecting with parents from the first instance.  I am keen to get more connected next year as well, using some form of e-portfolios and more regular class blogs/emails.  We have one teacher at our school with a Wiki, and I know many parents who enjoy this form of interaction.  I'm not sure what platform I will use - but it is a goal!