Somehow I block out how manic teaching the practical side of measurement is between years so when it comes around again I'm all excited about it instead of dreading it. I do enjoy teaching these practical types of lessons but cringe when I think about the potential for bedlam with station activities and all the gear that needs set up, not to mention the water. This year was no exception and to cap it off I invited 12 four year olds to join us! At the end of the day it's the only way to give them a practical application for this maths and they enjoy it and eventually you'll forget all the bad parts and have solid meaningful data to use.
Something that I don't forget and never look forward to is the glut of assessment that befalls us at this end of the term. Needs must.
The holidays are now so close I can smell them, pity I wish I had another week of term to tie ends up nicely!
Saturday, 1 October 2011
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Time Flies
We've reached the point in the term where I start to wonder how on earth I'm going to fit everything in and have it wound up before the holidays. The closer we get to the holidays the more interruptions to the regular programme there also seems to be making it even harder!
In the last week I get to do mother help in my daughters class, one of the last times for a while as the other big change looms ever closer. Full time work by Week 4 Term 4. It is an exciting prospect taking the reigns alone, the first time in 3 years. I am firmly focussed on the excitement rather than becoming daunted, a conscience decision!
In the last week I get to do mother help in my daughters class, one of the last times for a while as the other big change looms ever closer. Full time work by Week 4 Term 4. It is an exciting prospect taking the reigns alone, the first time in 3 years. I am firmly focussed on the excitement rather than becoming daunted, a conscience decision!
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Every Year Without Fail
At least once a year I completely lose my voice, well it's that time. I remember losing it while I was at teachers college and my associate commenting that I was using my voice too much as a management tool. At the time I didn't think that was the case and now I'm sure. We use our voice a LOT when teaching, constantly explaining, questioning, repeating what we've already told the students, it is little wonder that eventually the voice goes on holiday.
It was unfortunate that this year the quiet time coincided with a much anticipated trip out and about with the class. Thank goodness Kate was coming along too or else the parent helpers would have found themselves much more involved than they anticipated! As part of our inquiry into Kiwiana we took a road trip round Invercargill, completing a scavenger hunt I had put together using the poems of Lynley Dear as clues. We convened at the Southland Museum before taking in their exhibition of photographs celebrating 150 Years of Southland. The students had to examine these to infer what life was like then and match up photographs of the 'now' with the 'then'. Afterwards we took in the exhibition of Nigel Brown's work, a collection of pieces reflecting his travels through Europe the Pacific and Antarctica. The students looked very closely at a large piece on Antarctica and were able to find and discuss many interesting features.
What I was unprepared for was some of the incidental learning that would happen today. I planned for investigation and discovery on sites and events in Invercargill's history but not so much the geography and map skills. Had a real giggle with the parent in my car listening to the students try to give us directions to the next place of interest, "oh, that's near the lolly shop, you know by EB Games". They weren't so clear on the street names, I hope they are now! I often wonder what they tell their families about after these experiences, what were the highlights for them that stuck with them all the way home?
So last week I covered for Kate while she was sick and tomorrow is her turn.
It was unfortunate that this year the quiet time coincided with a much anticipated trip out and about with the class. Thank goodness Kate was coming along too or else the parent helpers would have found themselves much more involved than they anticipated! As part of our inquiry into Kiwiana we took a road trip round Invercargill, completing a scavenger hunt I had put together using the poems of Lynley Dear as clues. We convened at the Southland Museum before taking in their exhibition of photographs celebrating 150 Years of Southland. The students had to examine these to infer what life was like then and match up photographs of the 'now' with the 'then'. Afterwards we took in the exhibition of Nigel Brown's work, a collection of pieces reflecting his travels through Europe the Pacific and Antarctica. The students looked very closely at a large piece on Antarctica and were able to find and discuss many interesting features.
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| Cabbage Trees |
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| Civic Theatre |
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| First Church |
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| Otepuni Stream |
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| Anderson Park |
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| Feldwick Gates, Queens Park |
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| Trooper Memorial |
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| Stellar Umbrella |
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| The Bascilica |
What I was unprepared for was some of the incidental learning that would happen today. I planned for investigation and discovery on sites and events in Invercargill's history but not so much the geography and map skills. Had a real giggle with the parent in my car listening to the students try to give us directions to the next place of interest, "oh, that's near the lolly shop, you know by EB Games". They weren't so clear on the street names, I hope they are now! I often wonder what they tell their families about after these experiences, what were the highlights for them that stuck with them all the way home?
So last week I covered for Kate while she was sick and tomorrow is her turn.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Working Full Time
I have enjoyed my week of full time work this week while sadly Kate has been unwell. I wonder if I will feel any differently after my 5am start on Friday for the ski trip? We had a visit from the Dreamweaver today. I remember going to listen to Miss Miller read at the Invercargill Library when I was a child, she is just as good as ever. What an amazing memory she has, wish I could discover her secret!
In the meantime I have been making good use of our class blog. We are now using it instead of the class newsletter which means we can see our reader comments and answer questions. This was not the reason that I set up the blog initially but it is an exciting application. I have links under headings that the students can access for online activities in class and also practice at home if they wish. Saves a lot of time explaining where to find the right site when I can add the link for any group I like anywhere anytime.
In the meantime I have been making good use of our class blog. We are now using it instead of the class newsletter which means we can see our reader comments and answer questions. This was not the reason that I set up the blog initially but it is an exciting application. I have links under headings that the students can access for online activities in class and also practice at home if they wish. Saves a lot of time explaining where to find the right site when I can add the link for any group I like anywhere anytime.
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Workshop at Enrich
I am at Enrich for the first time, the inside of this building looks a lot different than the last time I was in here! Six teachers attending a workshop on Kidspix and Blogging. Didn't think I'd have much application for Kidspix in a senior classroom but I can now see a number of ways it would be useful, and fun!
Amy and I went to The Bach for lunch, a beautiful sunny day to sit in the window and enjoy a tasty lunch.
My retell of Goldilocks and the Three Bears (with a twist) that I made in Kidspix will be added soon...
Amy and I went to The Bach for lunch, a beautiful sunny day to sit in the window and enjoy a tasty lunch.
My retell of Goldilocks and the Three Bears (with a twist) that I made in Kidspix will be added soon...
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