Monday 28 January 2019

Getting my 'Creative' working ...

My planning time without having to visit classes is rapidly running out, so my mind is swirling on  that 'creative' side enabling me to plan lessons for the purposes of learning. I'm really needing to bring in that creative element as many of the classes I'll be working  with have been on devices for several years now and I don't need that complacency element creeping in.

It's such a great opportunity for me to search other blogs, lessons, posts etc and work on getting that 'aha' moment happening. In saying that I also need to provide just enough information to allow the students to want to search for more, and to use their own creativity to produce a quality pice of work. All very thought provoking and challenging at the same time.


Wednesday 23 January 2019

And I'm still REWINDING ...

As I make my way through the list of things I need to do to ensure the students have a smooth transition into 2019, I keep finding myself going back to look at what I learnt last year (which was an awful lot as it always is when you start a new job). The fact that Manaiakalani have set up a Learning Site that I can access to find answers to my questions is the real example of rewindable learning. This is why it is so important that teachers have their Learning Sites up and running prior to starting the year, enabling their students immediate access to the learning that will be taking place, so they can revisit the lessons, or rewind their learning.

I read with interest Robin Sutton's blog on Rewindable learning and it really rang true for my schooling days. This particular paragraph could have been written about me;

"Do you ever remember a time when someone had just explained something to you, and you walked away thinking 'what was that she just said?' Remember that feeling of inadequacy? That feeling that you missed just about everything the explainer/teacher said? I certainly do, and the wish that I could push the 'rewind' button, that I could just have the 'teacher' run that past me again, in my own time, and at my own speed. That's what we call 'rewindable learning."

I was a conscientious student but sometimes I just didn't understand the task at hand and got confused, yes, and felt inadequate. To be able to access a learning Site and revisit what was taught is invaluable, and something I do all the time now. So, teachers if you need a hand with your learning Site, don't hesitate to ask.

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Monday 21 January 2019

Rewindable Learning ...



Today's been a 'rewindable' day for me. Last year I was on a huge learning journey of using Explain Everything on the iPad. I was just getting a bit creative when the year ended, and I confess that the holidays were exactly that - a holiday!! So, meeting up with two of the teachers I will be working on iPads with this year, brought me back to reality

I was able to answer their questions and point them in the right directions, but I left with a list of things to do to get me back up to scratch. I came home feeling so mentally tired.

So, I grabbed a coffee, took a walk around the garden (and visited the new additions to our yard - 4 lovely lambs), felt revived and got back into it, surprising even myself.

                 It reminded me of this Banksy quote ...  


Friday 18 January 2019

Where did that week go?

First week back at work for 2019 and boy did it fly! It's a wonderful opportunity to catch up with stress free teachers and hear their enthusiasm for this year. I've also found it a nice lead in to the year, using the time to do all those things I didn't get to last year and having the time to read those summer readings and answer emails in my office, rather than in the car while grabbing a bite to eat between schools.  Sadly my list of jobs is growing as fast as I tick things off,  but I'm going to enjoy the weekend before I get back into the swing next week and catch up with more of those amazing teachers.




Blog you later ... 

Wednesday 16 January 2019

From boredom to creativeness.






Sadly, Mum is back to work and my baby is still in holiday mode ... the age old question in the morning "What are we going to do today?" with the answer of "Sorry love, but I'm back at work now" was met with the usual groan and comment " So it's going to be boring then!" I choose to ignore these protests, because there are other people who live in my house and I'm sure they can survive without me. I'd treated myself to a new lounge suite which just happened to arrive shortly after this conversation and you guessed it, it was packaged in bubble wrap and two very large boxes ... I guess the feeling of 'bored' was surpassed by fun and creativity as the bubble wrap was laid out in a line on my kitchen floor and the father and her jumped and popped till they met in the middle. Then the boxes were moved out to the deck where an eco house was constructed (although I'm not sure the power cord fitted the bill!!) This construction had all the mod cons, a chair, a table, a bed, a hole in the roof to check out the stars and was where she ate, entertained herself and even slept in it.

Creativeness at it's best ...



Tuesday 15 January 2019

Into the second year with Manaiakalani ...


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This year is going to be even better than the last as I expand my knowledge into three more schools based in the Greymouth area.  It is always exciting meeting new colleagues and sharing new ideas with them.

I continue to work on my Inquiry into the use of iPads in the junior classroom, and plan to share it as I go on my blog this year.

Have a great year & Happy Blogging ...




2018 Achievements