Friday, December 18, 2015
Thursday, December 17, 2015
A New Hope
With the recent release of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', I discovered that the majority of my class had indeed not seen the original Star Wars. With 1 1/2 days of school to go, I felt it was time to educate them in 20th century cinematic history. The VHS and 14" Television added to the experience!
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Roller Coaster Week
I always find this time of the year very difficult. Yes, the inevitable end of year administration is demanding but pales in significance compared with having to farewell another unforgettable group of students. I have taught most of the 16 Year 8's for two years and some of them I have taught for three consecutive years. Three consecutive years. I still find this difficult to fathom. They have become part of my everyday life. At this time of the year I almost always start asking myself some serious questions: Have I had an impact on their learning? Have I done enough? Are they equipped for High School?
Only time will tell. All I know is that I have given it my all. There have been highs and there have been lows. Many successes and lots of failures. If there was something I wanted to try, I tried it. If there was something that needed to end, I ended it.
Although it's not something they have probably ever really considered, this group of graduates have taught me a lot; helped shift and shape my practice. Their willingness to adapt and to experiment with new ways to reinforce learning has provided me with the scope to facilitate and more importantly, assess achievement outcomes. Their open and respectful relationship with me has provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of our programmes.
I hosted the Year 8's and their families at my home for an end of year BBQ this week. It was so well attended and such a memorable night. It has become a bit of tradition for the Year 8's to write 'toasts' to one another and they did such a fine job of this.
To my unforgettable Year 8's, Thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for this school. You are talented, well-grounded and overflowing with potential. Enjoy the adventure that is High School. May the force be with you!
Only time will tell. All I know is that I have given it my all. There have been highs and there have been lows. Many successes and lots of failures. If there was something I wanted to try, I tried it. If there was something that needed to end, I ended it.
Although it's not something they have probably ever really considered, this group of graduates have taught me a lot; helped shift and shape my practice. Their willingness to adapt and to experiment with new ways to reinforce learning has provided me with the scope to facilitate and more importantly, assess achievement outcomes. Their open and respectful relationship with me has provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of our programmes.
I hosted the Year 8's and their families at my home for an end of year BBQ this week. It was so well attended and such a memorable night. It has become a bit of tradition for the Year 8's to write 'toasts' to one another and they did such a fine job of this.
To my unforgettable Year 8's, Thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for this school. You are talented, well-grounded and overflowing with potential. Enjoy the adventure that is High School. May the force be with you!
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Friday, December 4, 2015
Nature Deficit Disorder
Since having a family, I've had a steadfast rule that 'weekends are sacred'; work is off-limits on weekends. Sadly, Term 4 - in all its glory - destroys any notion of this!
However, last Anniversary weekend the family and I managed to 'go bush'. Our family was definitely starting to display symptoms of 'Nature Deficit Disorder'. It was only our 2nd overnight family tramp of the year but not bad considering our youngest, Walt, is less than 1 year old and our oldest, Stella, has just turned 3! It's always an uplifting feeling ditching the computer, emails and phones to reconnect with what's truly important to our family - having an association with the natural world.
Stella absolutely stormed it. This tramp, at 8km, was a fair few kilometres longer than the last adventure. She walked all of this, with the exception of a 600m section down a steep ridge. The terrain was rugged and extremely demanding on her little legs but her positive attitude and fighter spirit carried her through. Stella's highlight, as always, was playing in the tent - this time with her little bro! Although she did comment later that collecting sticks for the fire with Dad was pretty cool too. Walt had a cruisy ride in Mum's backpack, lapping up the contrasting colours and the curious sounds that nature generates.
Next year, with the cognitive demand the Toki Pounamu Project and all the other challenges a new schooling year will bring, we plan to get out for an overnight adventure at least once a term. I always feel refreshed after such experiences, albeit small overnighters at this stage with a young family. Stay tuned.
However, last Anniversary weekend the family and I managed to 'go bush'. Our family was definitely starting to display symptoms of 'Nature Deficit Disorder'. It was only our 2nd overnight family tramp of the year but not bad considering our youngest, Walt, is less than 1 year old and our oldest, Stella, has just turned 3! It's always an uplifting feeling ditching the computer, emails and phones to reconnect with what's truly important to our family - having an association with the natural world.
Stella absolutely stormed it. This tramp, at 8km, was a fair few kilometres longer than the last adventure. She walked all of this, with the exception of a 600m section down a steep ridge. The terrain was rugged and extremely demanding on her little legs but her positive attitude and fighter spirit carried her through. Stella's highlight, as always, was playing in the tent - this time with her little bro! Although she did comment later that collecting sticks for the fire with Dad was pretty cool too. Walt had a cruisy ride in Mum's backpack, lapping up the contrasting colours and the curious sounds that nature generates.
Next year, with the cognitive demand the Toki Pounamu Project and all the other challenges a new schooling year will bring, we plan to get out for an overnight adventure at least once a term. I always feel refreshed after such experiences, albeit small overnighters at this stage with a young family. Stay tuned.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Friday, November 27, 2015
A Global Voice
One of the most powerful attributes of the Learn - Create - Share pedagogical philosophy is the opportunity to have your voice, your opinions, and your understands heard. Not just within the four walls of the classroom but on a global scale. Creating posters, presenting facts, making booklets are all well and good. However, they only scratch the surface and their effects on long term understanding of the target concept/s, ideas are negligible at best. I told my class at the beginning of the year that these forms of reinforcement "are history". This year our goal was to 'immortalise' our learning by creating learning objects that will not only help the individual/collaborative group creating them reinforce their learning, but assist others with with similar needs globally. Was this outcome achieved every time? No, but we've made a start, taken some risks and learnt a lot along the way.
Next year, our class will be working towards ensuring Learn - Create - Share is a seamless cycle of learning. Our goal is for students to be sharing their learning via their blogs on a more regular, cyclonic basis. Parent's emails will be entered into individual Blogger accounts so and they will be sent a notification email every time their child posts new learning objects. My goal is to run weekly tutorial sessions with our parent community to show them how to engage with their child's learning digitally. This will include sessions on how to respond constructively with strategic comments via student blogs. Yes, many parents do this instinctively on a daily basis by being convivial with their child. However, Blogging provides realtime interaction like never before. Imagine how cool it would be to receive notification of a post via work and being able to actively engage with your child in real time?
Enough from me. I think these recent reflections from students sum it up quite eloquently:
Jacob.
_______________________________________
Blogging has really changed my perspective to learning, It’s a great way to learn and reflect on our learning!
Caleb.
__________________________________________
Sean.
_________________________________________
Emma.
Next year, our class will be working towards ensuring Learn - Create - Share is a seamless cycle of learning. Our goal is for students to be sharing their learning via their blogs on a more regular, cyclonic basis. Parent's emails will be entered into individual Blogger accounts so and they will be sent a notification email every time their child posts new learning objects. My goal is to run weekly tutorial sessions with our parent community to show them how to engage with their child's learning digitally. This will include sessions on how to respond constructively with strategic comments via student blogs. Yes, many parents do this instinctively on a daily basis by being convivial with their child. However, Blogging provides realtime interaction like never before. Imagine how cool it would be to receive notification of a post via work and being able to actively engage with your child in real time?
Enough from me. I think these recent reflections from students sum it up quite eloquently:
Blogging this year has brought my learning to the next level. It gives me an opportunity to share my strengths and weaknesses with everyone, and get helpful feedback. It’s your very own personal learning zone, and a place where you can post all about your week, and what you learnt.
But how does it actually help your learning? Classmates, teachers, and principals can comment on your posts, and give you feedback. Also, you can comment on other people’s blogs, and give them feedback. It creates a ‘buddy help buddy’ learning environment, which I personally think is wonderful.
It’s the 21st century. Let’s embrace it.
Jacob.
_______________________________________
Blogging has really enhanced our learning. It’s been great for reflecting on our learning so we don’t forget what we have learnt about. Blogging is a great way to share what we have learnt and also reflect on how the week went. Before we had our chromebooks, the only places you could find my presentations was on the wall. We can not only just share our learning with our classmates but we can share it with the world.
Blogging has really changed my perspective to learning, It’s a great way to learn and reflect on our learning!
Caleb.
__________________________________________
Blogger has been really helpful with my learning, as it has given me a place to share my ideas, presentations, and stories across the world. It takes away the restriction of the classroom and immortalises my work. It gives instant feedback and also gives an idea of how to run a website.
Sean.
_________________________________________
Blogging this year has been really helpful for my learning, it has giving me the great opportunity to express my feelings, thoughts and reflections throughout writing. Blogging has been a great way to share what I have learnt and reflect from the heart (learn, create, share).
Blogging has really made me think about my feelings and thoughts a lot more. Blogging has made me be a better writer and has taught me to write from the heart.
Kate.
_________________________________________
Starting blogging this year has been really different for me this year because I would never have thought a class would blog weekly. I have found blogging quite fun but at the same time it has to be school based topics. Blogging has made writing a lot more free with my emotions ( Some classes never blog so this was a great genre of writing to work with ) Blogging was such a good genre to work with because students and teachers can see our Committee blogs and look at the latest blog posts/info. It has been great to post WPCA reflections on there for everybody to look how epic the trip was and also comment on. It was awesome to manage your own account without having the same layout ideas because there was so many tools to make your account your own.
I would never think about using blogger at a school at all so this was an awesome experience.
Ellie.
__________________________________________
Blogging for the year has helped to develop a reflective writing ability which I will carry through life.
This year our class has been focusing on ‘Learn, Create, Share’ and blogging has given us a great place to share our learning and what we have achieved in our Committees, and with Sports and activities that we have done with the school.
Being able to share our exciting experiences that we have had on our WPCA challenges has been great. Putting our thoughts, fears and expressions on the page and sharing it with a wide range of people.
Having the chance to run my own website on Blogger has opened a new window to improve my skills with the new and upcoming technology.
Claudia.
__________________________________________
Blogging this year has made me think about my learning differently, and it has brought me into confrontation about what the Toki Pounamu project is going to become. I like the fact that you can tell the world what you’re learning, as the world is changing into a very electronic society.When you are old and grey, you can go onto your blog and see all your bright and colourful primary years you once had. It is a different style of writing and I love how you can pour your heart onto the page, it’s also a great way to reflect on our daily lives.You can record your thoughts,feelings,events and memories onto the electronic diary keeping all your memories in one place, especially as all my friends are all splitting up and moving away.
Catarina.
___________________________________________
Blogging this year has taught me a lot, I have loved being able to blog every Friday. I have learnt vital skills e.g how to post and how to write a great reflection on my week even as simple as giving feedback and commenting . I loved seeing other people's reflections to see what they have been doing in their learning. One advantage is when we have mastered a concept we post it on our blog so if I need to know how to do a particular concept I can just look on someone's blog and look at their post on that particular concept . It’s great to know that when I am at of Paroa School I can see what I was up to, In my words it’s a “digital memory box".
Emma.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Friday, November 13, 2015
Toki Pounamu
There is so much more to the Toki Pounamu Project than throwing a device in front of a student and expecting them to learn.
Toki Pounamu is a philosophy; a philosophy that embraces 21st century expectations of learning. We as a school have to do everything within our powers to prepare students for their futures. No, we do not and won't ever truly be able to anticipate what those futures will entail. However, one true constant that continues to define each generation, is the evolution of technology. As humankind evolves, technology evolves with them. There was once a time where we thought telephones, microwaves and personal mobiles were superfluous. Look at how reliant we are on this technology now.
There is no escaping it. You either take a leap of faith and jump on board or risk getting left behind.
An exciting aspect of the Toki Pounamu Project for me as a teacher on the West Coast is the potential for change in terms of our reputation and how the West Coast is perceived educationally. When I was training to be a teacher, the West Coast was the last place you wanted to win a position. If you got a job over here, you were a joke. Misinformed, crude statements like "the West Coast is 20 years behind everyone else", "there's no future on the Coast" were commonplace.
We have some really high calibre educationalists here but this project will attract and retain more of them.
Toki Pounamu is a philosophy; a philosophy that embraces 21st century expectations of learning. We as a school have to do everything within our powers to prepare students for their futures. No, we do not and won't ever truly be able to anticipate what those futures will entail. However, one true constant that continues to define each generation, is the evolution of technology. As humankind evolves, technology evolves with them. There was once a time where we thought telephones, microwaves and personal mobiles were superfluous. Look at how reliant we are on this technology now.
There is no escaping it. You either take a leap of faith and jump on board or risk getting left behind.
An exciting aspect of the Toki Pounamu Project for me as a teacher on the West Coast is the potential for change in terms of our reputation and how the West Coast is perceived educationally. When I was training to be a teacher, the West Coast was the last place you wanted to win a position. If you got a job over here, you were a joke. Misinformed, crude statements like "the West Coast is 20 years behind everyone else", "there's no future on the Coast" were commonplace.
We have some really high calibre educationalists here but this project will attract and retain more of them.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Friday, September 4, 2015
Mindfulness
There was a story this week on One News about a High School in Christchurch that is preparing its Year 7/8 students for the rigours of their Year 9 year by teaching 'Mindfulness'. I can only deduce from the story that a lot of what the school is teaching is based of Carol Dweck's Mindset work. I found this of particular interest as I'm currently reading Dweck's bestseller 'Mindset'. I have found many of her messages/philosophies vindicating and, in many cases, simply inspiring. I firmly believe that students can not learn without some of the 'Mindset' fundamentals. I am currently designing a similar programme to begin with my new students next year. Please watch the news story below for a taste:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/in-the-moment-girls-school-offers-mindfulness-programme-q08689
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/in-the-moment-girls-school-offers-mindfulness-programme-q08689
Friday, August 21, 2015
National Poetry Day
My attempt at being poetic for National Poetry Day. Thank you Paul Skerten (Skertz) for providing us with such inspiring words at the beginning of the week.
Paul offering his words of wisdom as an amateur poet on Skype.
Eyes familiar
Joy they infuse
To the deepest, unreachable, corners of my being
Unmistakably me is all I can see
A re-birth. A shared life. Another chance.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Toki Pounamu
Last night I attended a meeting with other lead teachers for the Toki Pounamu initiative. We were presented with a strategic plan for the next 3 years. It is really happening now. I am excited about leading my staff into a new age of teaching and learning. Over the course of the coming Term, I will be working with my Senior Staff members to develop a Google Site to share their planning with student and parents. The Google Sites will become the 'hub' and will lead learners both at school and home. Making the learning 'visible' to teachers, students and their parents has been proven to lift achievement. Although I am excited about all that this initiative will afford myself and the other teachers at the School, I am also a little apprehensive about the transition. We will take small steps at first to ensure we are providing the best possible outcomes for our students.
Friday, August 7, 2015
Toki Pounamu
Last night I attended the 'official' launch of a major education initiative for Grey District - The Toki Pounamu Project. I am personally very excited about the future for education on the West Coast. This initiative will propel all learners into the 21st Century and provide them with the necessary tools to further their education beyond their primary schooling. I am really proud of the way in which my students articulated how the Learn - Create - Share philosophy is helping them to achieve. Their digital skills were truly evident to all those who took the time to talk to them. This is going to be an exciting journey...
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
geordieg@paroa: Puma Mix Up The NZ Flag
geordieg@paroa: Puma Mix Up The NZ Flag: We were searching the Puma online shop for some basketball boots for our writing and we went to change our location when we saw this!
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Friday, July 31, 2015
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Junior Clubs
Students, I am so proud of your efforts today with the first Junior Clubs. You are all such outstanding role models :)
Friday, July 24, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Friday, June 26, 2015
pride
This week our 4 wonderful School Captains have experienced the 'high's' and 'low's' of being responsible for a committee and the organisation of events. It's not easy being a Captain. Leading your peers, delegating tasks and thinking through organisational logistics is complex. It's easy to forget sometimes that our Captains are kids. We teachers heap a lot of responsibility on them and have high expectations of them all. We teachers, along with the Captains, have done a lot of reflecting this week. Captains and Committees will receive more direction from teachers over the course of the next two terms to ensure they are being BTB.
The Environment Committee's Beach clean-up was a big success. 100's of kilograms of rubbish was removed from our local environment. Well done.
The Disco rocked. Disco's are particularly difficult to plan and run - everyone has a different opinion on what makes a 'cool disco'. Congratulations to the Events Committee for running an awesome event for our students.
The Environment Committee's Beach clean-up was a big success. 100's of kilograms of rubbish was removed from our local environment. Well done.
The Disco rocked. Disco's are particularly difficult to plan and run - everyone has a different opinion on what makes a 'cool disco'. Congratulations to the Events Committee for running an awesome event for our students.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Rafting is on
I haven't heard anything from TPP so I'm assuming we're good to go. Come to school ready for an awesome adventure :)
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
ICT Workshops 2.0
Are you not that experienced with technology? Join ICT workshops!
(due to some minor problems, ICT Workshops will be rebooted soon however there will be new tutorials on our blog for the meantime so be sure to check them out.)
(due to some minor problems, ICT Workshops will be rebooted soon however there will be new tutorials on our blog for the meantime so be sure to check them out.)
Sunday, June 7, 2015
It's not you. Claw machines are rigged!
Dare I say it...I told you so!
Year 6's going to Welly Camp be warned, the Claw Machine on the Ferry is rigged for you to lose!
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Friday, May 22, 2015
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Friday, May 15, 2015
Paroa Film Festival?
This week I attended a workshop on Learn - Create - Share. Up in the North Island, there is a group of schools called Manaiakalani (The hook from heaven). They are special because they work very closely together to share their learning with each other, their families and the world! Every year they hold a Film Festival. Each of the 11 schools enter films from all levels in their school. They book out an iMax theatre and watch them with their peers, family and community. What do you think about this? Could we do this as a whole school fundraiser? Could the ICT Committee work with students and teachers to up skill them on iMovie? Click on the picture below to watch some of their amazing work.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Outstanding exemplar analysis from Jacob!
Jacob has really 'raised the bar' this week with his analysis of a piece of persuasive writing. Using this exemplar as a benchmark, Jacob has gone on to craft a very powerful letter of complaint. Well done Jacob, hopefully this will inspire your classmates with their analyses.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Monday, May 4, 2015
Friday, May 1, 2015
Friday, April 24, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Friday, March 6, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
Friday, January 9, 2015
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