Loud & Hot

First Post in #29daysofwriting - so therefore, 29 minutes (or thereabouts) of writing/posting for 29 days ... today very much train of thought narrative.

My first day back was loud.  Loud and hot.

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It is still loud - my own wee tribe are chilling and winding down before they head into bed.  It was a warm day here; and I think it needs to cool down alightly before I insist they attempt to sleep.  I love that I can hear happy chatter and giggles from three (bigger) kids who had an amazing first day back at school and even louder giggles from a nearly school boy and kindy girl.

 I loved that I got to have a quick cuddle with my middle miss at lunchtime as I checked out her new classroom.  She has a new teacher this year - a wonderful young woman who I am going to team up with for a tuakana/teina relationship between our classes.

This relationship is probably one of the things I am most looking forward to developing this year ... one idea we will implement (starting tomorrow) are a pair of my 'big kids' (Y10s) going into the Y1 class during DEAR time and reading a couple of books aloud to smaller groups.  I have some reluctant readers, and I am hoping (and have a hunch) that being able to read 'fun' books to younger students may encourage them to pick up a book again.    We are both taking part in the #NZreadaloud this year - another thing I am putting into my arsenal to build the literacy skills of my class.

Literacy skills are going to be a large focus for my inquiry, how to build not only competence, but also confidence.  I believe the confidence will come with the students learning about, understanding and applying the growth mindset we hope to cultivate in the classroom this year.

If you have some free time, here is the link to the GROWTH MINDSET TD talk that I watched with them this morning - we will look at several more tomorrow and make some class and personal growth goals.

Excited!

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I'm pretty sure I am not the only teacher who will be in this camp - first 'proper' day back with a TOD for all things admin and I am up before the sparrows fart; brain racing and ready to leap into it.

With a kitten and a  7yr old who has never slept past 6.30am at the latest, my mornings usually start around 5.45am on a weekday.   It was a tad earlier this morning - but that is just the way it is.  Since sleep wasn't coming back I took the time to just read through some #edblognz links - what an amazing community we have!

This is a thank-you to all those who inspire us.  Thank-you for taking the time to write, taking the time to reflect, taking the time to be the best you can be for your students and whanau!  Best wishes as we move forward into the year!

#oneword2016

Cultivate

cul·ti·vate

  (kŭl′tə-vāt′)

tr.v. cul·ti·vat·ed, cul·ti·vat·ing, cul·ti·vates

4. To encourage or foster: cultivate a respect for the law. See Synonyms at nurture.

5. To acquire, develop, or refine, as by education: cultivating a posh accent.

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[Medieval Latin cultīvāre, cultīvāt-, from cultīvus, tilled, from Latin cultus, past participle of colere, to till; seek^wel- in Indo-European roots.]

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cul′ti·vat′a·ble adj.

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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.

Source: Google Images - labelled for reuse.

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.

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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 :-)