I started my first Blog in Edublogs. I then set this one up but it annoys me to keep copying and pasting, so I am going to make a link to the original
Well, don't know what happened..or more to the point, didn't happen!!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
11 03 2009
Think, Talk, Show
was the big message (for me at least) from yesterdays Numeracy PD with Shona Burrough. I took hand written notes…now I have to produce them digitally for this…double handling, but really probably a good way of reflecting on the learning.
We were mostly hands on, problem solving and visually producing one maths example in many different ways. l have always loved maths, both learning it and teaching it (altough university algebra really started to challenge me almost a bit too much!!!) I am so ingrained in the methods that I learnt way back when..that trying new methods, (or rather alternative to what I personally find fastest and successful) gets me thinking… which is of course exactly what we want the kids to do. Of course ‘way back when’ we learnt the “Laws” (associative, commutative, distributive) which we still teach (different jargon now) and I learnt to apply them appropriately…which is what we do now but of course with much more practical, hands on, problem solving methods rather than the chalk and text book methods of the 60’s and 70’s.
Shona had some great examples of how to prepare lots of practice work. Once the kids know what would be expected (after good teaching of course) then the process could be very successful. I need to adapt the examples down to year1/2 levels and have a go in my maths teaching.
Think, Talk, Show
was the big message (for me at least) from yesterdays Numeracy PD with Shona Burrough. I took hand written notes…now I have to produce them digitally for this…double handling, but really probably a good way of reflecting on the learning.
We were mostly hands on, problem solving and visually producing one maths example in many different ways. l have always loved maths, both learning it and teaching it (altough university algebra really started to challenge me almost a bit too much!!!) I am so ingrained in the methods that I learnt way back when..that trying new methods, (or rather alternative to what I personally find fastest and successful) gets me thinking… which is of course exactly what we want the kids to do. Of course ‘way back when’ we learnt the “Laws” (associative, commutative, distributive) which we still teach (different jargon now) and I learnt to apply them appropriately…which is what we do now but of course with much more practical, hands on, problem solving methods rather than the chalk and text book methods of the 60’s and 70’s.
Shona had some great examples of how to prepare lots of practice work. Once the kids know what would be expected (after good teaching of course) then the process could be very successful. I need to adapt the examples down to year1/2 levels and have a go in my maths teaching.
06/03/09
Nothing would work today One of THOSE days today! First, the power cord wouldn’t work…I did think at first that it was the actual battery pack, as the power pack is onlt a month old. But on checking by using someone else’s i isolated the problem to one part of the cord. Then, the data projector wouldn’t do what i wanted to, even though I had no problems with it yesterday. Luckily I only had a group of 4 so the laptop screen was enough. But then the kids couldn’t use clip art. So now I need to downloadaselection for them to use. A VERY FRUSTRATING day with unreliable technology!!
Nothing would work today One of THOSE days today! First, the power cord wouldn’t work…I did think at first that it was the actual battery pack, as the power pack is onlt a month old. But on checking by using someone else’s i isolated the problem to one part of the cord. Then, the data projector wouldn’t do what i wanted to, even though I had no problems with it yesterday. Luckily I only had a group of 4 so the laptop screen was enough. But then the kids couldn’t use clip art. So now I need to downloadaselection for them to use. A VERY FRUSTRATING day with unreliable technology!!
02/03/09
Wow!!Last week was the Learning @School conference in Rotorua. I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to go to these conferences. The keynote speakers were all good with interesting messages shared. However, (apart from the freebies!!) the highlight has to be ALL of my breakouts. Every single one was loaded to the brim with practical and inspiring ideas. The hands on opportunities were especially great. The first one I attended was “Meaning on the Menu” with Innes Kennard. Way back in the 80’s when I was in Pahiatua, I was first introduced to computers by Innes. (on apple 2e’s if my memory serves me right) Going to any workshops run by Innes is an opportunity not to be missed. Only 5 people attended the breakout…we were lucky!! The hour and a half went too fast but I came away with so many ideas for infusing literacy and ICT. Poetry jigsaws (the concept also suiting recipes/instructions) prompted disussions as to why the poet may have written the poem in such a way. Building up digital text and image libraries is such a sensible idea and I intend getting started on them soon. Ways for children to think about punctuation, grammar, synonyms, use a thesaurus/dictionary. Using the ‘track changes’ tool in Word (I didn’t even know such a thing existed) to support children in editing their written language makes so much sense. I had a good chat with Layton today about it and he is really keen to look at it more closely. I’d really like to introduce it to the Senior Team teachers as well. I can envisage working alongside them maybe to get it going, whether it be in small groups or on a whole class basis. I think sharing it at one of thier team meetings would be the way to go. Other suggestions like having ‘fingerwriting’ (keyboard skills) as an integral part of a handwriting programme also makes sense and that is what I started the conversation with Layton about today as I knew he would see it as a practical way of infusing the learning. (Got that word in!!) Its another tip I need to share with the whole staff.
I think setting up regular staff development sessions is the next essential step otherwise all the ideas will just float away into cyberspace.
Wow!!Last week was the Learning @School conference in Rotorua. I feel very privileged to have the opportunity to go to these conferences. The keynote speakers were all good with interesting messages shared. However, (apart from the freebies!!) the highlight has to be ALL of my breakouts. Every single one was loaded to the brim with practical and inspiring ideas. The hands on opportunities were especially great. The first one I attended was “Meaning on the Menu” with Innes Kennard. Way back in the 80’s when I was in Pahiatua, I was first introduced to computers by Innes. (on apple 2e’s if my memory serves me right) Going to any workshops run by Innes is an opportunity not to be missed. Only 5 people attended the breakout…we were lucky!! The hour and a half went too fast but I came away with so many ideas for infusing literacy and ICT. Poetry jigsaws (the concept also suiting recipes/instructions) prompted disussions as to why the poet may have written the poem in such a way. Building up digital text and image libraries is such a sensible idea and I intend getting started on them soon. Ways for children to think about punctuation, grammar, synonyms, use a thesaurus/dictionary. Using the ‘track changes’ tool in Word (I didn’t even know such a thing existed) to support children in editing their written language makes so much sense. I had a good chat with Layton today about it and he is really keen to look at it more closely. I’d really like to introduce it to the Senior Team teachers as well. I can envisage working alongside them maybe to get it going, whether it be in small groups or on a whole class basis. I think sharing it at one of thier team meetings would be the way to go. Other suggestions like having ‘fingerwriting’ (keyboard skills) as an integral part of a handwriting programme also makes sense and that is what I started the conversation with Layton about today as I knew he would see it as a practical way of infusing the learning. (Got that word in!!) Its another tip I need to share with the whole staff.
I think setting up regular staff development sessions is the next essential step otherwise all the ideas will just float away into cyberspace.
19 02 2009
2nd postI’m going to have to make myself post!! Mind you, Ange is visiting again tomorrow…she’ll probably ask so I can say yes!! Actually the prompt was when I was looking for a web address and the dropdown menu showed the link.
Yesterday was our Cluster management meeting. It went well as usual. I’m really looking forward to the L@S conference next week. Lots of exciting stands/products to see, lots of inspiring speakers and breakouts…one of which is about blogging (with Yr 4 children) Its also great to spend quality time with other attendees and toss ideas around. It will be so motivating
Today Louise (SENCO) and I spent an hour and a half brainstorming ideas for this years extension programmes. Most had an ICT component. Next step is to prioritise these and fit them into a plan to address the needs of the children. We’re going to talk about it with others at the conference next week to get input from those who may have “been there - done that”
Earlier in the week I took the skills overview that Ange (cluster facilitator) and I worked on during our last session together to the Senior Management meeting. It was very well accepted and we made a few modifications to make it more practical. Still in discussing things with Louise today I noticed some omissions. It will be a working document in progress, that will change as our expectations and experiences change.
On another note, I’m about to set up our new Manchester Media Mob for 2009. Last year the ‘Mob” developed from my first extension group. This year I decided that the children could apply to be part of the MMM. Yesterday 35 children turned up!!!! Today about 6 showed up to begin working on their examples to support their applications. (That has shown me already who is keen and likely to make a commitment) Although I forgot to put a reminder in the day book. I will tomorrow!! From the level of interest shown, I am also going to look at setting up a computer/ICT club so have asked the children for ideas about this. Hopefully this will meet the interests of those who don’t make it into the Media Mob.
My next learning steps: How to back up and transfer to a new computer (yep..new laptop on order)
How to update the school website
2nd postI’m going to have to make myself post!! Mind you, Ange is visiting again tomorrow…she’ll probably ask so I can say yes!! Actually the prompt was when I was looking for a web address and the dropdown menu showed the link.
Yesterday was our Cluster management meeting. It went well as usual. I’m really looking forward to the L@S conference next week. Lots of exciting stands/products to see, lots of inspiring speakers and breakouts…one of which is about blogging (with Yr 4 children) Its also great to spend quality time with other attendees and toss ideas around. It will be so motivating
Today Louise (SENCO) and I spent an hour and a half brainstorming ideas for this years extension programmes. Most had an ICT component. Next step is to prioritise these and fit them into a plan to address the needs of the children. We’re going to talk about it with others at the conference next week to get input from those who may have “been there - done that”
Earlier in the week I took the skills overview that Ange (cluster facilitator) and I worked on during our last session together to the Senior Management meeting. It was very well accepted and we made a few modifications to make it more practical. Still in discussing things with Louise today I noticed some omissions. It will be a working document in progress, that will change as our expectations and experiences change.
On another note, I’m about to set up our new Manchester Media Mob for 2009. Last year the ‘Mob” developed from my first extension group. This year I decided that the children could apply to be part of the MMM. Yesterday 35 children turned up!!!! Today about 6 showed up to begin working on their examples to support their applications. (That has shown me already who is keen and likely to make a commitment) Although I forgot to put a reminder in the day book. I will tomorrow!! From the level of interest shown, I am also going to look at setting up a computer/ICT club so have asked the children for ideas about this. Hopefully this will meet the interests of those who don’t make it into the Media Mob.
My next learning steps: How to back up and transfer to a new computer (yep..new laptop on order)
How to update the school website
12th Feb (copied from original blog)
This is the first time I have blogged. I’m not really one for keeping a diary but know that blogging is a flexible tool for communicating with others in all sorts of situations. I do follow some blogs and enjoy keeping up with what others are up to.
So, today, I got going with my own. I will endeavour to keep regular reflections of my ICT /Teaching journey.
Part of my job this year is to lead the ICT development within our school … I can hardly suggest to others what to do without trying things out for myself. Got to try and keep a few clicks at least ahead. So thanks Ange for a great day and nudging me into getting this going.
This is the first time I have blogged. I’m not really one for keeping a diary but know that blogging is a flexible tool for communicating with others in all sorts of situations. I do follow some blogs and enjoy keeping up with what others are up to.
So, today, I got going with my own. I will endeavour to keep regular reflections of my ICT /Teaching journey.
Part of my job this year is to lead the ICT development within our school … I can hardly suggest to others what to do without trying things out for myself. Got to try and keep a few clicks at least ahead. So thanks Ange for a great day and nudging me into getting this going.
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