EduCampWhakatane

So yesterday Shelley Forster and I attended our first EduCamp here in Whakatane.  It was a great day!

Here are my thoughts about the day ...

• NZ teachers are amazing - we are definitely extremely passionate and highly motivated to provide the best teaching possible to increase the learning outcomes for our students!  I was blown away by the level of enthusiasm, commitment, collaboration, knowledge and awhi that all the presenters displayed today. Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa nga Kaiako ngakau pono!
• So many choices - Smackdown - wow the wealth of knowledge and possibilities is mind blowing! (see presentation below).  After listening to the 5min intros by each presenter I had to rethink - what is going to be most valuable for me right now?  So I chose to attend the Google Sites, Hapara and Bitstrips breakouts.  I found Google sites interesting perhaps not as valuable as I thought it would be purely because I have already 'self-taught' myself and set up my own class google site by 'tutuing' and using models of sites from several blogs and e-learning teachers that I am following - mainly Pt England School in Auckland and a few others from EdblogNZ.  It was interesting to see how other teachers use their sites and what they include in it as well.  Hapara - this I was very interested in as I've heard mixed comments about it.  The teacher that presented was very enthusiastic about it especially as she came on board at the same time that the latest updates did - namely 'interact' and 'workspace'.  Perhaps it was the speed of the presentation or because I started with Google Classroom but I'm not entirely convinced yet to give it a go.  I'm sure if I had more time to tutu with it I'd have a better understanding of its' pros and cons.  I have a few links to look at to help in this area.  I was the only one interested in Bitstrips so that was not presented but I will have a tutu with it sometime soon.  Shelley and I decided to work together to get our google sites up and running.  I was able to assist Shelley as best I could to get her site looking the way she wanted.
• Twitter - so I have steered clear of twitter thus far but today I was inspired to join up and became a tweep!  Anne-Marie Hyde @mrs_hyde  and Alex Le Long @ariaporo22 - a formidable pair shared their passion for Twitter.  How could I not give it a go!  Unfortunately the wifi was blocking twitter so I wasn't able to get started until I got home - needless to say but here's where I'm at now from 0-18 followers!  Very exciting!
  

The next challenge is to see if I can use it in class - Is Twitter excluded on our network?????  Here's hoping it's not because I'm keen to get involved in ...

So my buckets' filled with inspiration and possibilities - now my brain is fizzing with ideas - ooooh, What e-learning can we blend in to enhance our learning journey next term in Ti Kouka?

Here's the Smackdown presentation.  I will definitely be revisiting this presentation a lot to guide my planning and teaching for next term and to share with my other colleagues back at school.

E.R.O

So for the past few weeks we have been preparing for our Education Review Office visit this week.  All of our hard working Kaiako and Management team have been working even harder to ensure we showcase the amazing learning and teaching that happens here at James Street School everyday!

The thought of E.R.O visiting, without a doubt, causes stress - it's a given really however this visit was extremely positive.  This time round I had an added perspective of the process as a staff trustee on the B.O.T.

I was able to contribute my own korero and knowledge of our kura at the BOT meeting with the ERO team.  This was a great start to the review week.  As a trustee I was able to confidently answer and elaborate upon the questions and queries presented to us.  It was only an hour long meeting but we could have gone on and on about our school.  I believe that our Board communicate and collaborate effectively to meet the learning needs of all our tamariki.

At the staff meeting with the ERO review team we were able to confidently and quickly provide our thoughts and knowledge regarding the five main questions that were on their agenda.  Our staff are amazing!  We work extremely well together with professionalism, humour and manaakitanga at the heart of our collegial relationships.

As an experienced teacher having an ERO reviewer observing in class still provides some nerves but it also provides another set of eyes and ears to see and hear the learning that is happening in my class for my learners.  This time round the reviewer was accompanied by a member of the Senior Management Team.  This is a new initiative.  I was lucky to have Roz Dakin (Senior Syndicate leader and Deputy Principal) come in to 'showcase' my learners, their learning and my teaching.  As Roz releases me every second Friday while I teach Waiata and Kapa haka she has her own knowledge of our class to enable her to speak to all the learning.  Michelle Andrews was our reviewer.

While I taught my A.L.L group Roz and Michelle read through my planning and supporting documents.  The reviewers had requested that they be able to speak with a few children to discuss their learning - both in their written books, online with their Google Drive & Classroom work as well as their e-Portfolios.  I chose Rosemary and Ashlee to take on this task and they both were outstanding.  Michelle was very impressed with them.  They were 'overflowing' with all their korero about their learning!

Michelle later approached me to convey that she felt it was a privilege to be able to visit in my class. This was a lovely compliment especially because it came from an ERO reviewer!  She spoke highly of our use of e-learning and the level of knowledge and skills the children have achieved in such a short timeframe.  She had thought that we had been using Chromebooks/e-learning all year long and was amazed when I told her it had only been five weeks since we began with 1:1 Chromebooks.  This positive feedback is so pleasing to receive.  It definitely helped to 'fill my bucket' and the girls buckets' too.  I am very proud of my tamariki!  All the effort feels like it 'pays off' when it is recognised at this level.

Come Thursday lunchtime the BOT met with the ERO review team to hear the main points of their initial draft report.  I was looking forward to this meeting most of all as I would be hearing it straight from the reviewers.  Needless to say our overall report was very positive and as one of the reviewers said ... we should be very, very proud!

So in conclusion ... this week began with a degree of stress which turned in to pride, joy, happiness and of course relief that the week was over.

Reciprocal Teaching Update/Review

So the five weeks is up!  Reciprocal Teaching has been very beneficial!  The overall feeling and attitude towards it from my tamariki is hugely positive.

At the end of the the five weeks the tamariki were once again 'tested' by Roz and Ana using Probe running records.  The data collected from this showed that the majority of the class improved their comprehension percentage and several moved up a reading level.  There were of course children who made no progress according to their reading level but confidence, attitude and participation across the board increased.

From a teacher point of view the five week intensive with every group being taught for 30 mins every day, for four days, with the assistance of another 'teacher' and teacher aide all using the Reciprocal Teaching approach (Julia Westenra) has indeed improved the comprehension levels of my tamariki.

However since the intensive took place I am now back to teaching by myself, under timetable constrictions, with five reading groups.  I am still using the Reciprocal Teaching approach as I can clearly see the benefits of the four main skills used to facilitate the learning and comprehension.

Hence the lessons are now modified to manage all these factors.  We are still using the 'Tokotoko' and working through the process but often we stop at questioning due to time constraints.  We also do not get through as much of the text - often only one or two paragraphs/pages per group depending on the groups reading level.  This can be disheartening for the tamariki as the "never get to finish the text" together but do so independently.  Each groups learning needs are identified and the next learning 'skill' becomes the focus of the teaching e.g. we may only 'do clarifying' or only 'do questioning' and break these skills down in order for the children to be successful in using them.

As a syndicate we discussed the Pros and Cons of the R.T intensive.  Amber (the other intensive class teacher) and I along with Roz, Ana and Robyn Harawira (RTLB) also meet to evaluate the teaching and learning achieved during the intensive.  The korero from this meeting was then shared with Julia Westenra.

In conclusion ... I believe that the five week intensive of Reciprocal Teaching was indeed worthwhile and beneficial.  For use in the future I would recommend using the intensive model initially at the end of term one.  Intensives after that point will depend on the results from the before and after data and also the schools  strategic goals for the year.

I have thoroughly enjoyed learning how to use Reciprocal Teaching effectively in my classroom.  But most of all the response from the tamariki was fantastic!  The smiles, pride and confidence they displayed when taking on the teacher role is definitely my highlight!

e-asTTle

So today signaled almost the end of a series of professional development staff meetings that began back in term one of this year.  We have been led along the way by Ana Bryne our Assistant Principal.  Ana has been amazing.  She has led the learning of our staff with a quietly positive, reinforcing and simple approach which has enabled us all to learn in a non-threatening and respectful environment.

Here is a run-down of what we have done as a staff and my reflections on the learning I have gained.

Term One:

Week 6: e-asTTle introduction video

This was not a very exciting video, rather long and not overly engaging but gave an adequate overall understanding of what e-asTTle is and how it can be used to assess children's writing.

Term Two:

Weeks 1, 2 and 4: e-asTTle rubric, teacher marking of selected writing samples from e-asTTle exemplars

After these staff meetings I felt much more confident when using the marking rubric, generic exemplars and annotated marking sheets.  The discussion around giving each of the seven components a rubric category was highly beneficial.  It wass important to listen to others because from their korero it often confirmed what you were thinking and why but it also challenged what you were thinking and made me look closely at the exemplar to locate specific evidence that supports what I was saying.  Another reason these staff meetings were beneficial was because we were given time to look closely at the exemplars.  It was a bit scary at first because it seemed to take a long time to mark just one piece of writing.  This was due to a variety of factors some being unfamiliarity with the marking rubric, the use of 'most', a 'range', 'and/or' etc when deciding which rubric category to give, referencing the exemplar with other exemplars, the rubric and online exemplars.  This set us up well for when we had to mark our own class e-asTTle samples.

Weeks 5 & 6: marking of our own class e-asTTle writing

Week 7: writing moderation

Well thank goodness our management team for providing us with two weeks of staff meetings and syndicate meetings dedicated to marking our e-asTTle writing samples.  Boy did we need that time especially with trying to balance the time we do have with writing full mid year reports as well.  Aue, it was challenging but I'm pleased to say that I got all my initial data logged into e-asTTle on time.

What fabulous things did I realised when marking my e-asTTle samples?

Well let me see ...Time, it takes time and you definately need a quiet space to work in with minimal distractions but with a few people whom you can bounce queries or wonderings off every now and then.  Roz, Jodie and I worked independently together in Puriri.  It was great.  We were able to get on with our own mahi but every so often someone would ask for the others' thoughts regarding a particular piece of writing.  Eventually we were able to move from marking two pieces of writing up to 4/5/6 pieces in an hour and a half.

Aue, it's getting a bit late.  I will publish this now and come back another time to complete this post.

Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga - Staff Workshop Week 3

On Tuesday 5 May I facilitated a refresher staff workshop.  The focus was to revisited the three main second language acquisition methodologies that we use to teach Te Reo Maori kupu and kiwaha.

We revisited the IRDPX and iPpit methodologies.  We revisited the Sandwich methodology which we use mainly for kiwaha/phrase teaching.  We also reconnected the 11 Principles of Instructed Second Language Acquisition (Ellis Erlam Sakui 2) with these methodologies.

It was a timely workshop especially for a few staff who are new to our school/different year levels this year.

We also discussed the Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga committees plan for our Matariki Celebration in Week 9 and gave the staff a 'heads up' in regards to Maori Language Week in week 2 of Term 3.

The workshop ran smoothly and everyone felt it was a good refresher!  Mauri ora!

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Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga - Staff Meeting update

This afternoon Norah and I shared our reviewed Maori Achievement Strategy and Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga Implementation with our staff.  At the end of 2014 Norah and I met to revise/update these two documents.  They were first written at the end of 2011 and were due for revision.

I lead the meeting with support from Norah.  We displayed the documents using the projector.  Both Norah and I spoke to the documents explaining the updates and making clear links to why and how we meet the needs of our Maori learners.  Some key concepts that we have now made more explicit is the concept of Student Well-being being more than just ensuring our tamariki are fed, clothed and ready to learn.  It includes providing learning opportunities for our tamariki to engage in learner that is appropriate for them and their whanau - knowing our learners and catering to all their needs not just physical needs but mental and emotional needs as well.  This is at times challenging but worthwhile and rewarding.  We intend to build the leadership of our tamariki this year by providing opportunities for them to develop and share their 'hidden' talents and abilities.

This was a timely update as often we get stuck doing what we are doing because it's what we do.  We do know why we are doing or teaching something but our Implementation Plan which links directly to our Maori Achievement Strategy are the basis for our teaching and including Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga into all aspects of learning at James Street School.

Maths Teaching as Inquiry

Today instead of having our normal syndicate meeting we met with the whole staff to identify our priority learners in maths.  Roz led us through identifying our children who are already above the national standard as well as our children who are currently meeting the national standard in mathematics.  Once we identified these children we were able to celebrate this data before looking at our tamariki who are below or well below the national standards.

From our identified priority learners we then had to select our tamariki who will be the focus of our Maths Inquiry which will begin next week on Monday.  In selecting these tamariki we engaged in discussions with our colleagues to identify next learning steps and teaching strategies.

At the end of our meeting Roz asked us to reflect on our learning today.  She did this by giving us specific questions to reflect on and then answer.

Here is my reflection for today.I am a student in your class for 2015.How well do you know me as a person and as a learner?I am already above the NS expectation for my age / year.What actions are you taking to ensure I continue to work above the NS?I am already meeting the NS expectation for my age / year.What actions are you taking for ME so I continue to meet the NS or accelerate above the NS?I am a priority learner in maths. I am below / well below the NS.What actions are you taking so I begin to taste success in my maths group?

• Set and share daily high expectations for learning

• inform you of where you are at in your learning, where you need to be and what your next learning step is going to be in order to get you to the expected level

• use NumPa framework to plan, teach, monitor and assess daily maths lessons in small groups

• use appropriate mathematical language when teaching you so you know

• provide scaffolds for you to use in order to communicate your mathematical knowledge and strategies

• provide appropriate resources and materials to engage and assist your learning

• show you that I love maths - share my feelings, be honest with you to help you develop a positive attitude to learning

• provide appropriate practise activities to assist with embedding the learner you have undertaken

• provide access and regular opportunities to engage in appropriate e-learning

• continue to upskill myself - my teaching techniques and strategies, my knowledge of you as a learner, my knowledge of the national standards and expectations for each level

• always strive to continue steering you briskly along your maths learning journey.

These questions were challenging to answer. They required some thinking! But the purpose is not to get the 'right' answer more so to reflect on what you are currently doing, what is working for your learners, what else could you try, what are other teachers are doing that is successful - Best practise.I do enjoy teaching maths. It's very rewarding when our learners 'get it' and you see that smile on their faces and the shine in their eyes! I'm looking forward to seeing that soon once my Maths Inquiry begins!

TOD 2015 - Staff Health

This morning we had a two and a half hour workshop with Life Coach Denise Simons from Relate Coaching, www.relatecoaching.co.nz.

This workshop was brought about in recognition of the need to provide our staff with strategies to cope with stress.

We began by listing the positive and negative aspects of 2014.  We then listed what we predict will be the positive and negative aspects of 2015.   By doing this we were able to voice our stresses and then wipe them clean.

We also learnt how to how we are both 'Wairua and Skin Bag'.  Often we let the skin bag side of ourselves take over.  We leart a simple technique of using your hand as a reminder to change that voice inside your head to wairua when the skin bag side (stress) gets too loud.

We then went through a process called Getting Complete.  This involved acknowledging how you react when your back is up against the wall.  Do you get resentful or upset?  From here we worked through listed things that we were resentful about or regretted.  Then we listed our requests and finished off by acknowledging the process in order to be complete and move on from the things that we regret/resent.

After this we learnt how to be Committed Listeners.  This technique is used to scaffold the 'getting complete' strategy.  You need to find a buddy who will listen to you and commit to being available and keep your discussions confidential.  We learnt the process and the rules for being a Buddy.  We then practiced with a Buddy.  This technique allows the speaker to speak and be heard by their buddy and themselves.  It acknowledges the need for the speaker to realise that they have been heard and therefore are able to move forward with an action to resolve the issue discussed or to clear the slate because your aired your issue.

Overall it was a good morning.  Basic message is, acknowledge positive and negative stresses.  Use the strategies to minimise and move on from stress.  Remember your Wairua side and don't allow your skin bag to dominate.  Maintain your integrity with yourself otherwise you will not be able to maintain integrity with others or with what you are passionate about.  Seek support - make regular 'appointments' to meet with your Buddy.  List your regrets/resentments and work through the getting complete process in order to move on and leave the stress behind.

Ahhhhh, my Wairua is speaking to me now and it wants to sing and dance to music.  So chow!

Back into 2015!

Well the 2015 school year has begun. Had our first Senior Syndicate meeting today. Was great to see everyone again. Roz lead our meeting which consisted of revisiting expectations for teaching. This year Roz has given us each a folder which contains relevant but important information about J.S.S and what we believe, think, do and expect in regards to teaching and learning. It will be added to throughout the year but it is our 'go to' folder. We also discussed up coming events and lastly collaboratively planned our Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga unit for term one. It was a good way to wake our brains up and get them thinking again after having a rest during the holidays. A great start to the year!

2014 is finished!

So school has finished for another year.  It has been a rewarding but challenging year at times.

There were some highs, lows and also a devastating tragedy with the death of one of my students mid year. At times the workload seemed impossible but with support from within our syndicate and senior management we made it through.

I've loved my class this year.  They have been great learners, challenging me and themselves daily to achieve and learn as much as they could.  Today we said our good-byes.  There were a few tears from my year six girls a few whom i have had in my class for three years.  They are lovely girls and boys and I will miss them all very much next year.  There were also lots of hugs too which is very special.

This holiday break it definitely well deserved and essential to maintain good health and my mental capability!

I look forward to resting and recharging ready for 2015.

Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga at James Street School

So today I met again with our Principal Norah Schreiber.

As Lead Teacher for Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga it is my responsibility to lead the Te Reo Maori Committee in order to meet our Charter goals and policies.  In 2011 Norah and I co-contructed our school's Maori Achievement Strategy, our Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga Implementation Plan and our Two-yearly Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga Foci Plan.

The aim of our meeting to-day was to reflect and revise these documents now that we are three years on since their implementation.

We have therefore made some additions to the M.A.S and I.P to include greater emphasis on Student Leadership, Well-being, Engagement and Hauora as well as fostering productive partnerships with students, whanau, teachers, school and community.

So we are all set now to continue teaching Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga in 2015 with our updated documents which will be added to each teacher's resource Kete for future reference.

It was a productive, engaging and exciting meeting in regards to the future of Te Reo Maori me ona Tikanga at James Street School.

Appraisal Time

So this morning I had my Appraisal meeting with Norah.  The focus of the appraisal was using assessment data to inform teaching.  The appraisal went very well.  It was a pleasure to be able to discuss the learning of my students and the teaching that I have done which has made a difference to the achievement levels of the tamariki in my class.

Both Norah and I agree that I've had another good year.  I am proud of the small learning steps and giant learning steps that most of my tamariki have made.  Precise, timely, relevant and informed Teaching as Inquiry, At Risk, STAR data, ALL, implementing GGL effectively and all daily planning, teaching and assessment have meant that my tamariki have received quality teaching. 

Some areas for development over the next year are building my leadership capabilities-PD in leadership, taking on more roles/responsibilities within the school which contribute to my own professional development and career pathway as well as continuing to contribute to our school community.

Another year (almost) over, plenty more to come!

Participating and Contributing

We have made flower planters by recycling our plastic bottles from our gala day stall. Such fun!

Teacher Appraisal using Blogger - Teacher Only Day

Woo hoo!!!! My brains have expanded and shriveled and then exploded!

This has been such an exciting day filled with learning.  I've enjoyed the challenge of using Blogger.  Setting up and putting everything into place in order to have a 'living space' to share my teaching and learning as a Professional Teacher in New Zealand!

So I am excited about the possibilities that I now have to take what I have learnt to-day and blog about it everyday/week.

So often we are busy teaching and preparing for teaching that we don't have time to use pen and paper to write what we have done and who really wants to or can be bothered.  We discuss within our staff meetings and syndicate meetings but often it is not formally recorded.  Blogger provides a format for recording but more importantly on-the-spot self reflection of professional practice.

Aue!  Kei te harikoa ahau!  The tutu inside me just wants to TUTU!!!!!

Here is a link to our James Street School Reflection page from today's workshop.

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