Term One Reflection 2011

Term one has been very busy ad although it was 11 weeks it seems to have flown by. The first part of the term went really well I did not try to force or rush things like I did last year, things just flowed nicely. 


I took my time to get my programmes started. I wanted to have a big emphasis on using deadlines. I started this well and was using it like I wanted to, however, as the term went by I shifted from this and did not keep up with using the deadline board and updating these. This is what drives the self-directed learning as when a teaching session has been the task that then gets assigned needs to have a deadline that the children strive to achieve.I will enforce this in term two and follow through with deadlines not being met.


My maths programme has worked really well especially with the use of both mathletics and Studyladder. These tools are very useful in keeping the students busy on maths tasks that are going to benefit them, the tasks are very engaging and motivating as the students are rewarded (online) for their efforts.


In term one I have been implementing the CSI reading programme and have found it very beneficial thus far with the students finding the texts very interesting and engaging. The students are also remembering the comprehension strategies and how they help them become better readers.


Connected curriculum in  term one was very valid as it lead into camp very nicely, making the students aware of risks, how to identify them, minimise, and eliminate them to kepp them and others safe.


We have had a lot of help and guidance from Jo Walker in terms of writing, teaching writing and editing writing. I have learnt a lot already and look forward to the continuation of this PD in term two. 

NZCER Assessment Workshop (Charles Darr, Hilary Ferral

Terms used in Assessment
Validity: using lots of information to get a bigger picture
Reliability: how consistent is the assessment
Precision: how confident we are with the information we have

Scales are created to show progress a student has made.

I am a digital Native

Top Ten must have Apps for Teachers with Ipads

10 Excellent iPad Applications for Teachers

by K. WALSH on MARCH 6, 2011

With the iPad2 on the launching pad, it’s a great time to share this list of useful iPad apps for teachers from guest writer Paula Dierkens.

There’s no doubt that the iPad is an excellent device, and if you own this gadget, it makes sense to pick up the applications best suited to your lifestyle and profession. So if you’re a teacher, here are ten great iPad apps that you must try out: 

1. QuickVoice Recorder: This is the perfect recording tool to record your classes and get feedback on your performance; you can see what you’re doing right and what you’re going about wrong and learn how you can improve your lectures.
2. Dropbox: If you’ve used Dropbox on your computer, you already know this is a must-have tool on your iPad. If not, it’s a file storage application that allows you to say goodbye to flash drives and portable hard disks for good. Just sign up to store your files online and then access them from any other computer, your iPad or your smartphone. Ideal for files you use at school and at home.   
3. Things for iPad: If you’re looking for the perfect task manager to keep track of all your appointments and prepare ahead, then Things it is.
4. Discover: There’s no need for encyclopedias today with Wikipedia and other instant sources of information. Discover joins this list as the go-to app for the iPad when you need information on just about anything in the world.
5. Evernote: There’s no need to carry around a notebook or diary in which to jot down your lesson plans or reminders – just use Evernote to enter your notes in text or voice format.
6. Pages for iPad: Use this nifty app to type out all your documents and include any kind of formatting you may need.
7. Numbers for iPad: For all your spreadsheet needs on your iPad, turn to Numbers. It’s easy to use, easy to access, and easy to import all your information from your Excel worksheets.
8. Goodreader for iPad: Use this app to access all your documents, PDF files, video and audio files, spreadsheets and many other kinds of files over a wireless network or via USB cable – it makes it dead easy to retrieve files from other systems.
9. Mobile Air Mouse: This is the perfect tool for hosting presentations and conducting lectures using an interactive whiteboard. It turns your iPad into an all-in-one remote control that you can use to manipulate the board without having to resort to using a wireless keyboard and a mouse.
10. WritePad: If you prefer to write rather than type, then this app converts your handwriting on the iPad into readable text – use your finger or a stylus to get your point across.

Leadership Lessons from dancing guy

I really like the way this clip breaks down the importance of us all being leaders and how emphasis is placed on being the first to follow if you see something worth getting behind.

Kath Murdoch

How can i create a culture that nurtures the whole child

How will i crqete a culture in which curiosity thrives?
What do you want from this year wat are u worried about what do you want to do

How will i create a culture that promotes reflection?

How will i create a culture that blurs the boundary between the classroom and the community?

I am the Learner Hear my VOICE! With Dinah Harvey

I'm the learner hear my voice.
A shift from passive recipients to active participants.
Get the kids to ask the content question teachers dont always need to do this..
Model the fist couple of questions then get the kids to follow and do the others.

Seven DATS questioning, modelling, prompting, directing, explaining, telling, feedback.

As a group get the kids to lead the follow-up each taking turns to ask a question and drive the group using what they have been leaning about.

The less we say and tell them the more information they will give us , dont ask closed questions. A good question is , show me all the ways to make 25

This is what we are doing today, what questions have you got?

Starters first 15 mins of each maths session maintenence.
Monday -modelling
Tuesday- tick a box
Wednesday- word problems
Thursday- thinking skills
Friday- fast and furious (quick fire)

Sir Ken Robinson

I could not find the Inspired impact footage of Sir Ken but this video of him runs along some of the same lines.


Inspired impact 2011
Keynote Ken Robinson
Crushing creativity
Documentary: how many people can live on earth?
If you love something youre good at you will never work again.

We need to adopt differeint startegies
The power of imagination
To be imgainative is only a start.
To be creative you have to do something.

Creativity has to be deliberate and systematic.
Teach people to be more creative.
Imagination, creativity, innovation

Everyone has a creative capacity.
You can be creative at anything that involves intelligence
Creativity is not confined to the arts

Creativity for everyone accross the curriculum.
Teaching creativly or teaching for creativity.

Research how to teach creativity.