Rekohu

We started our unit titled "NZ: Past and Present Culture & Identity" - students started by brainstorming what they thought this meant and any topics or words that they associated with that phrase.

After a bit of discussion we ended up at the topic of the Moriori - and the direction of the unit was planned.  We (as a group) figured that we were very Prestructural (not knowing anything) about this part of NZ history, with a few students being Unistructural (knowing one or two basic facts - teacher included).  Students then created a very basic question list of what they wanted to find out.

We found an amazing old map of Rekohu and students practised the skill of free sketching the island into their books.  They then compared the 19th century map with a 21st century map of the island and labelled key aspects of the island.   Google earth provided us with a ten minute tour around the island - I would really recommend this technology for any teacher who is studying specific places.  It was AMAZING!!!  The bell rang all to soon!

I had a non-contact next, and did a quick visit to the school library.  I now have a great book to read over the weekend!

Looking forward to working WITH my students to develop a greater understanding about this part of our culture and heritage.

Day Two

Oops, forgot to push the buttons to schedule things - still working on the Technology side of things ..

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One of the best things for my learning this year has been the #BFC630NZ chats.  It has helped me to  become more confident with using Twitter, more confident in articulating my thoughts and feelings (you need to with only 140 characters) and more confident to connect with other educators.

If you haven't tried out Twitter or if you are on Twitter, I would highly recommend it.  This other chat thread that I follow regularly (and aim to contribute to) is the #EdBlogNZ, which you can also find here.

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.