One Word Reflections

Back in January I wrote:

In my plot for cultivation are:

• Professional connections, especially via Twitter and other educational foundations.
• Growth mindset in all my students.
• Writing more about the professional reading that I do - creating a Google Doc with responses or highlighted aspects for other staff members.  I started this last year, but it has been slow to take off.
• Academic connections for my students.  I am going to look at using connections such as #NZreadaloud and Skype for providing more authentic and meaningful reading and writing.

So - how have I gone.

Professional connections - very happy with this at the moment.  I feel I have made further connections especially via #BFC630NZ which I miss greatly if my morning routine changes.  I have found Twitter to be an amazing source of provocation and also resources.  The British English teachers are amazing with their willingness to share especially critical theory work for literary texts and this has enabled me to further develop ways to share this knowledge with my Y12 & 13 students.

Growth mindset for my students.  Well, it is still growing.  My Y10 students sat an end of year wrap up assessment (aka exam, I know, probably old school) and they all gave it 100%.  Compared to the  beginning of the year where we had people not even attempting to write, they gave it a great shot!  I think at least 80% of the class are now comfortable with going somewhat out of their comfort zone.  Seniors are still working on being happy 'out' of the safety net, and in terms of this, we have discussed how we don't NEED 28 credits - but next year we will choose a theme (in Y12 it is Outsiders & Displacement) and work out which assessments fit in best, aiming for about 18-20 and working towards knowing what we need for Merit grades.

Professional Readings:  Yip - this.  Over the year it turned out I need to put more focus on the academic readings related to my Y13 course.  So - all in all, not a fail, but still cultivating.  I am taking part (with a colleague) in the Interlead Emerging Leader's programme.  This programme has given us an extensive reading list and we have purchased several in hard copy for our staff book self.  I intend to take these home over the summer and attack with sticky notes and a notebook.

Academic Connections for students:  This was (mostly) a success.  Over the first two terms we took part in the #NZReadaloud - first short stories, then a novel and then as a class following on we read another novel outloud.  This was the highlight of the year for me.  The students, especially the reluctant readers loved the final text we read, The Bone Tiki, by David Hair a NZ author.  Many students choose to still write about one of these texts in their final assessment, showing retained memory and engagement.   I am aiming to participate in the readaloud again in T1 & T2 of 2017.   We did not take part in Term 3 or 4 due to other school commitments - and I am not sure how the last two terms of 2017 would pan out.  Students found using Edmodo a positive platform, although I believe we still have much room for growth in using this technology.  I found it useful to be able to share lesson planning with other T's and see how we all created a wide variety of tasks and options for our students.    When doing this again I will be recommending we perhaps use a Google sites/page platform - not sure though.  More thinking and planning to do with the organizer here.


So ... as the 2016 school year heads towards it's ending - with one week of classes then EOTC for a week for my M3 group - I feel reflection is important.  It enables me to question what has been the best for my students, both in terms of personal and academic growth.  It enables me to look at how I have grown and where in the following year I should focus my energies.  It gives me energy now as I realize we have done well together!