Conference Ch-ch 08 was great. The previous conferences and visits to other schools introduced the concept of a whole year investigation, breaking the theme into Social, Science, local and perhaps international avenues for further investigation. GREAT, and I got some ideas what it might look like.
One of the developing moments for me was that the presenters are now not only introducing ideas, but many seem to be further down the road than I thought. Yes, there are those on a similar journey to us and we can match them, but there are others who have come through the tunnel, who are well prepared for not only for what they are doing but also future changes. We all knew we are on an educational escalator but thought that we would stop and pause when we reached the next level, however things happen quicker than that. When you reach the ‘next level’ your head is tilted up to the next level yet again, IT DOESN’T STOP!!!! And neither should it??!!
“Don’t look for pause, look for passion!!” Thomson 2008.
We have all heard how our students will be re-training through out their employment life lines, then I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that retraining-rethinking must happen even in our own profession. Even if we stay in the teaching profession we will still need to re-train/rethink what we are doing and who we are doing it for.
Finally one of the most poignant moments for me was the comment….
“…forget about the NZ dragging achievement tail. We should be focussing on the under- achievement of our students.” Hattie
I like this, not only because it’s true, but because it is more encompassing!!!
It includes the STA level 5 student who should be on level 7+, or, heaven forbid the stanine 7 student who should be level 9 but who are off the ‘radar’ because s/he is doing well anyway.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Term Four - SHOWTIME!!!!!!
The staff at Oroua Downs have really impressed me with their dedication to change. We have definitely hit the ground running and everyone is willing to try something new and take the experience as part of our journey with inquiry.
This term we have decided to have an inquiry theme “Showtime!” with a focus question of ‘what does it take to put on an entertaining show?’
When I first took this idea to the staff, there was definitely a few nerves about how all this was going to happen. But after a few discussions – we were all on the same page and really looking forward to this terms inquiry.
As part of my goals form my last meeting with Jan, it was decided to create a support booklet to be used along side the model. This is slightly different at this stage. As part of developing a new (fifth trial now – hehe) unit planner, I decided to combine the booklet with this. The planning is now more organised into stages, and has full explanation at each stage as to what is required. As we are still getting to grips with inquiry, I didn’t want to give another pile of paper to be filed, I do think that with this format, it would be more useful. Information that is needed for each stage is right there, next to the planning, so instead of having to search for another booklet, it is right there where we need it. This doesn’t mean that the booklet wont be compiled, but as we are still in trial, as a staff we can compose that together, when we reflect on our journey this year, in preparation for next year.
So….. let’s get back to showtime!
As our immersion stage, we have given the children three different live performances to evaluate. “What makes a good show?” – so not only have they had great experiences, those experiences are very relevant to out topic – the children saw two last term and one this term – they are constantly reflecting on what they have seen and making the connections to what they are required to do in this inquiry. The children are developing their critical thinking skills and are already generating ownership!
As a staff we made a list of the magnitude of jobs that we do towards a production. We then decided that we will direct our classes to specific areas to investigate. This left a list of 3-4 events to inquire about for the production. We also decided that a senior and junior class could focus on the same things so the support will be there and also a varying degree of knowledge gathered. We are having a report back session as a whole school where each class will present their findings to the school. So exposure to much information and ideas will be had by all and specific in depth details about one area for each person.
So far, it has been really exciting, we have groups going to theatres to interview people, creating surveys, designing questionnaires, taking videos, going to Manawatu College and working with the drama and media departments and the list goes on!
Creative thinking has definitely developed, we are thinking outside the box as to how we can help this inquiry, very impressive! From initial apprehension from the staff about this topic, there is now an excited buzz.
Children are going to run this production – that is our action – the motivation is already there, the children are already thinking ahead, making plans, designing ideas, really taking ownership!
I do think breaking it down into manageable chunks has really helped the promotion of change – we have developed so much already and it is really exciting to think about where we are off to next.
This term we have decided to have an inquiry theme “Showtime!” with a focus question of ‘what does it take to put on an entertaining show?’
When I first took this idea to the staff, there was definitely a few nerves about how all this was going to happen. But after a few discussions – we were all on the same page and really looking forward to this terms inquiry.
As part of my goals form my last meeting with Jan, it was decided to create a support booklet to be used along side the model. This is slightly different at this stage. As part of developing a new (fifth trial now – hehe) unit planner, I decided to combine the booklet with this. The planning is now more organised into stages, and has full explanation at each stage as to what is required. As we are still getting to grips with inquiry, I didn’t want to give another pile of paper to be filed, I do think that with this format, it would be more useful. Information that is needed for each stage is right there, next to the planning, so instead of having to search for another booklet, it is right there where we need it. This doesn’t mean that the booklet wont be compiled, but as we are still in trial, as a staff we can compose that together, when we reflect on our journey this year, in preparation for next year.
So….. let’s get back to showtime!
As our immersion stage, we have given the children three different live performances to evaluate. “What makes a good show?” – so not only have they had great experiences, those experiences are very relevant to out topic – the children saw two last term and one this term – they are constantly reflecting on what they have seen and making the connections to what they are required to do in this inquiry. The children are developing their critical thinking skills and are already generating ownership!
As a staff we made a list of the magnitude of jobs that we do towards a production. We then decided that we will direct our classes to specific areas to investigate. This left a list of 3-4 events to inquire about for the production. We also decided that a senior and junior class could focus on the same things so the support will be there and also a varying degree of knowledge gathered. We are having a report back session as a whole school where each class will present their findings to the school. So exposure to much information and ideas will be had by all and specific in depth details about one area for each person.
So far, it has been really exciting, we have groups going to theatres to interview people, creating surveys, designing questionnaires, taking videos, going to Manawatu College and working with the drama and media departments and the list goes on!
Creative thinking has definitely developed, we are thinking outside the box as to how we can help this inquiry, very impressive! From initial apprehension from the staff about this topic, there is now an excited buzz.
Children are going to run this production – that is our action – the motivation is already there, the children are already thinking ahead, making plans, designing ideas, really taking ownership!
I do think breaking it down into manageable chunks has really helped the promotion of change – we have developed so much already and it is really exciting to think about where we are off to next.
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