Term 3 Inquiry focus

After an online staff PD focus on Writing as a Curriculum area, I have 5 new children to focus on to make progress and work towards achievable outcomes. These new goals in Writing are; to focus on quality, not quantity and use more detail based on interesting ideas. My new targets that were suggested by other teaching colleagues are: to have a buddy to proof read their writing (checking for punctuation and a beginning, middle and an end), and also using the 5 W's as a guide to add more content to their stories.

Google HQ visit!

So our whole staff at PES were treated to a PD on Google Education thanks to Dorothy Burt for organising this fantastic opportunity for us to enjoy! Steve Smith took us on a tour of a kiwi inspired indoor environment with unique architect features such as a pixilated ceiling depicting a NZ forest nightime landscape complete with glow worms! Then we met the life size Google robot and viewed the amazing breakout rooms such as the 8th wonder of the world based on the pink and white terraces in Rotorua. There was a distinct kiwiana awareness of our love for the outdoors and enjoying an active lifetsyle that Aotearoa has to offer. We sat down to an interesting korero by Steve about Google's vision: "We're dedicated to driving learning forward and powering school communities across the globe". By using technology to create better workspace teachers can use Googles applications to enhance children's learning as a digital native!From playing a Kahoot game, to data collection to searching up a location on Google Earth, teachers can bring so much more technology into the classsroom...

Making a coconut shell bowl!

Today I enjoyed participating in a Create workshop at Glen Taylor school as part of Manaiakalani PD for this term. I learnt how to cut a coconut shell, take the meat out and the remove the husk using a range of different tools including a sharp knife!Thanks to Mr Raj for sharing your ideas and seeing your mahi in action with your students. There was even a bowl of kava to try, recognising the drink consumed in cultural ceremonies in Pacific island countries such as Fiji. Here are some photos of my perserverance!

My first Create workshop!

This afternoon I delivered an ENGAGE presentation to teaching colleagues hosted by Glen Taylor school. I introduced the research led by Dr Dionne Healy and Jimmy McLachan from Dunedin and Otago University about the importance of teaching young children self regulation skills through playing early childhood games. The acronym ENGAGE stands for Enhancing Neurobehavioural Gains with the aid of Games and Excercise. So then I showed the group the set of resource cards linked to Behavioural/Doing, Cognitive/Thinking and Emotional/Feeling games and actvitives. These games when played regularly contribute to a child's emotional well being and social skills combined with language accumulation. The teachers also had an opportunity to play a few games using items found around your home for the Magic Blanket a pack of cards for memory, and a game of silent ball. I hope those who attended can see the value of playing these games with a group of students on a regular basis.

Staff PD for Term 1

Using a mask as a symbol of self awareness and personal security such as "Mask on/ Mask off". Consider how the school year has been impacted by Omicron with students being absent with infection, self isolation due to family members or parents being cautious and not sending their children to school. What factors have been considered in the following scenarios? Consider a child's own well-being in how they might be feeling. What learning has taken place so far, due to the disruptions of being at home verses coming to school? How can teachers make the transition easier for children who are coping with an unusual schooling experience of face to face versus online learning from home? I feel that keeping daily routines and structures in place are key to this current environment we find ourselves in. I liken it to a divorce where the parents have separated and you need to keep things constant and familiar for the child to feel some form of normality and keep a safety net around them as much as possible to help them feel secure, even though things are strange and different from what they are used to...

New beginnings and new opportunities in 2022...

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to my continued Professional Development blog for 2022! This year I am privileged to be a part of the "Class On Air" teachers cohort for Manaiakalani. My Inquiry is on teaching Science using a range of hands on practical experiments with a small group of focus children. It will have a literacy and language lense in each lesson. I have named my group "Mrs Carter and the Science Magnifiers". I hope that you can continue perusing my teaching practice and I would like to receive feedback along the way. My videos can be found on this blog page address: https://sites.google.com/d/1-PSmLPkLQuTeg59wA1NBEEtVdHeXM0f5/p/1qtB25xVbzx9mMfxn0mlZ8pqxjt4wUfSE/edit This is my focus group:

Here is my introduction video... I hope you visit my page and leave comments, Kia Ora tatou.

Reflection - Part 2

So after 107 days of being in lockdown, Auckland slowly regained a sense of normality and students were encouraged to return to school... Only half of my class did; 10/20 children came back to school for face to face teaching. The other half remained at home due to their parents wishes. It was a real struggle having to write end of year reports for a child you had not had any evidence of their learning for 3 months! For those children who did return to school and were engaged in distance learning, became evident in end of year testing that was carried out. I do feel for the children who will return to school in 2022 having had less "education" in whatever form that takes after such a long absence. We still need to advocate the importance of reading and writing over the holiday period, as this really does make a difference. The Summer Learning Journey is just the answer and enables children to engage with language and literacy through their own interests in a digital format. If you haven's already heard about it check out the Manaiakalani Program and it's unique philosophy of "Learn, Create, Share". It enables students to engage with their learning in the 21st century and become confident in sharing their ideas with others. As far as end of year targets, well let's just say "Cause Covid" had a huge part to play in such a tumultous, challenging year. Vaccinations and mask wearing is going to be part of our norm in the forseeable future. I hope that my teaching colleagues have a well deserved relaxing break and are able to return refreshed and revived. My constant reprieve during lockdown was practising mindfulness through daily Yoga and relaxation breathing. If we have to go through this again, I will continue this practice to maintain my own well being. Namaste, stay safe in your travels. I can honestly say after travelling the world over 15 years, Aoteoroa is the most beautiful country to live in. We are so blessed with what nature has to offer, we all need to respect the whenua and be kind to one another to keep it real. Teaching is a gift and I am proud to be a teacher. Seeing the children grow and develop as young individuals gives me a sense of gratitude and fulfillment.