Awesome movie by Alan Levine (@cogdog) 50 ways to tell a story...
http://50ways.wikispaces.com/
http://web2storytelling.wikispaces.com/
Can't way for storytelling fun next term....
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Very cool presentation on using the VLE which I think could equally apply to using the VLN
Using the VLE better
Thanks James Clay, and thanks Stephen Downes for bringing me these cool sites each day!!!
View more presentations from James Clay
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Sharing the love of blogging again...
I am in the middle of writing an article for a magazine and I am writing about sharing and connecting. Yesterday I had some great news to share and I shared it with a friend who was on facebook at that very moment. A comversation developed and I went on to share how I loved following Tweets from a very newborn baby and following the blog of a very young child. The person to whom I was talking is 38 weeks pregnant. What eventuated was a session today with me helping her set up a blog to share the pregnancy journey and spend the waiting time of the next few weeks, writing about and to their unborn babe. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking of the magic journey that has begun. It also made me feel incredibly sad that blogs weren't around when my babes were born... But I got to thinking... it is never to late to start. I now have a new goal for the second half of this year. Not only am I aiming to finish their scrapbooks, but I also aim to create a blog to share with them about their life journey to date....
Sharing and connecting... there really is no other way!
Sharing and connecting... there really is no other way!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Matariki
Thanks @Barbs for sharing a great Matariki link!!!
http://kccteachers.wikispaces.com/Matariki
http://kccteachers.wikispaces.com/Matariki
New challenge!!!
Very exciting happening tonight!!! Thanks to a conversation with Deidre, I have now created a blog for posting a favourite site of the day! I have chosen wordpress so I can experiment with a new host - so far so good!!!! I am really excited about this challenge. Initially I set it up for the start of 2012, but after my narrowness was shaken, I am starting it right now - for Maori New Year, Matariki...
http://anneksite.wordpress.com/
http://anneksite.wordpress.com/
Friday, June 10, 2011
Exciting new learning..... oh the power of connections!!!
Tonight Allanah Skyped me and we had an amazing catch-up. We chatted and shared and I learnt sooooo much. The highlight of my new learning is the ability to create and share a Google map of my twitter tour - how cool is that!!! Thanks Allanah
View Twitter Tour 2011 in a larger map
View Twitter Tour 2011 in a larger map
Workshop – building a writing programme - with Murray Gadd
We talked about writing for a purpose. We need to have a minimum of 20minutes independent writing per day.
Get writer to read their work aloud, read their work aloud, and model to assist sentence formation.
Read the spelling section of the ELP – written by Joy Alcock. Spelling should be taught during the modelling process.
Assessment is based on a piece of writing ready for the reader – not on the first draft! Get to what you need to teach from the first draft, then model and support to get the piece ready for the reader.
Give the writer prompts as opposed to directions – get the writing ready for the reader of the audience.
We shared another great picture book - My teacher’s secret life - author Stephen Krensky
Term plan – writing around the topic
Generally – there is a literacy demand in the AOs in the curriculum
See Writing Monitoring sheet – identify those with a need for a mini workshop – also identify those who need an extension. Mini lesson – model and scaffold on a blown up piece of one of the learner’s writing… 5-10 minute lesson. Scan the work into the smartboard.
We shared "How to be an explorer of the world" by Keri Smith.
We need to provide a real range of independent writing tasks.
See suggested process for developing a cross-curricular unit with literacy demands. A great workshop which really lit my passion for the writing programme.
Murray Gadd workshop - Building students' vocabulary
Workshop building students’ vocabulary through instructional reading and writing:
It is important to teach students more words. We must choose and adapt vocabulary-related activities for our learners.
Resources:
Alison Davis Teaching Reading comprehension
Sheena Cameron – Vocabulary Section
Learning through talk – p72-75
During the planning phase of reading or writing consider the vocabulary we need to explore initially – and discuss. We need to take the learner into the process of the vocabulary. Aim should be to introduce learners to at least 25 new words per week, 6-7 per reading or writing session. Incidental word learning – stop during reading and allow learners to discuss their ideas of the words and their meanings. We must challenge our writers to use new vocabulary.
A word tree is a great resource in a class for words, maybe with a branch for topic words; a branch for emotive words, an area for prefix and suffix etc.
Specific vocab learning through graphic organisers: Venn diagram; T-charts; semantic words; Clines; semantic feature analysis; (scan in examples)
Or through games: word associations; finish sentences meaningfully; categorisation words that go together; clustering words according to meaning; telephone whispers; barrier games; call my bluff;
Reflections:
Model more; specific task; motivate and engage; use written language to motivate writing;
Model editing on board, allow learners to discuss and come up with ideas and model – use of different colours is powerful.
It is important to teach students more words. We must choose and adapt vocabulary-related activities for our learners.
Resources:
Alison Davis Teaching Reading comprehension
Sheena Cameron – Vocabulary Section
Learning through talk – p72-75
During the planning phase of reading or writing consider the vocabulary we need to explore initially – and discuss. We need to take the learner into the process of the vocabulary. Aim should be to introduce learners to at least 25 new words per week, 6-7 per reading or writing session. Incidental word learning – stop during reading and allow learners to discuss their ideas of the words and their meanings. We must challenge our writers to use new vocabulary.
A word tree is a great resource in a class for words, maybe with a branch for topic words; a branch for emotive words, an area for prefix and suffix etc.
Specific vocab learning through graphic organisers: Venn diagram; T-charts; semantic words; Clines; semantic feature analysis; (scan in examples)
Or through games: word associations; finish sentences meaningfully; categorisation words that go together; clustering words according to meaning; telephone whispers; barrier games; call my bluff;
Reflections:
Model more; specific task; motivate and engage; use written language to motivate writing;
Model editing on board, allow learners to discuss and come up with ideas and model – use of different colours is powerful.
Murray Gadd modeling persuasive writing
I had the great fortune to be at Oamaru Intermediate school while Murray Gadd was in town running literacy workshops. I was able to attend two modeling sessions.
Murray talked us through his lesson plan for the day then modelled a persuasive letter writing session.
He clearly defined the writing task and allowed the learners time to clarify their understanding of and to use the vocabulary of persuasive text. The learning task was very clearly recorded on the board then the learners were engaged and motivated with the sharing of “Click, clack, moo, cows that type” by Doreen Cronin.
The humour and persuasion of the text were discussed and planning was modelled as one possible way to start.
Plan – think about character – think about demand - often planning can happen in your head or allow flexibility with planning.
E.g. Chicken Incubator for eggs, a day off from laying eggs,
Pig warm mud, day spa,
Cow
Murray chose one of these to model further..
Reason for a day off laying eggs – fresh out of eggs, routine, boredom, sick of crouching,
Character Demand Reason Consequence
Chicken day off laying Sick of routine Rampage, broken eggs, leave,
Everyday off,
Murray modelled an opening sentence.
Dear Farmer Brown,
We’re sick of laying eggs so give us a day off. – discuss, take suggestions, model additions to sentence…
Dear Farmer Brown,
You are our favourite farmer, but we are getting a little tired of (the routine of) laying eggs, so please give us a day off.
The task was again clarified and as learners were able to verbalise their character and reason they were sent off to write.
The learners went straight to the task, motivated and engaged in their persuasion.
Reflections
I need to model more!!!!!!! I also need to use reading as a writing motivation. Planning can be optional. If the learners are scaffolded to the starting point planning may be unnecessary. Scaffold and support for most of the learners to head off to task and support those who remain.
Murray talked us through his lesson plan for the day then modelled a persuasive letter writing session.
He clearly defined the writing task and allowed the learners time to clarify their understanding of and to use the vocabulary of persuasive text. The learning task was very clearly recorded on the board then the learners were engaged and motivated with the sharing of “Click, clack, moo, cows that type” by Doreen Cronin.
The humour and persuasion of the text were discussed and planning was modelled as one possible way to start.
Plan – think about character – think about demand - often planning can happen in your head or allow flexibility with planning.
E.g. Chicken Incubator for eggs, a day off from laying eggs,
Pig warm mud, day spa,
Cow
Murray chose one of these to model further..
Reason for a day off laying eggs – fresh out of eggs, routine, boredom, sick of crouching,
Character Demand Reason Consequence
Chicken day off laying Sick of routine Rampage, broken eggs, leave,
Everyday off,
Murray modelled an opening sentence.
Dear Farmer Brown,
We’re sick of laying eggs so give us a day off. – discuss, take suggestions, model additions to sentence…
Dear Farmer Brown,
You are our favourite farmer, but we are getting a little tired of (the routine of) laying eggs, so please give us a day off.
The task was again clarified and as learners were able to verbalise their character and reason they were sent off to write.
The learners went straight to the task, motivated and engaged in their persuasion.
Reflections
I need to model more!!!!!!! I also need to use reading as a writing motivation. Planning can be optional. If the learners are scaffolded to the starting point planning may be unnecessary. Scaffold and support for most of the learners to head off to task and support those who remain.
Oamaru Intermediate School - reading blogs
I had the privilege this morning of visiting the bloggers at OIS. The students are working in pairs, a Year 8 with a Year 7 to record their book review on the blog. They add an image of the book, a review then add an audio clip. This can either be talking about the book or reading a section of the book. This added audio is a very powerful way to share on the reading blog. The bloggers are from every class in the school and they return to their classes and support others to blog. I also received a memento of the day – a bloggers pencil!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Oamaru - having fun teaching my friend all about photopeach, twitter, vln and more...
We have been working all morning on our laptops.... So much fun. We just took time out for lunch at Fat Sally's and a walk in the gardens....
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
educampdunners
Following on from my mention of the desire to see an educamp happen in Dunedin, Claire and I got together on Saturday and skyped into educampwelly. We weren't very successful with our connection but we had an awesome time and learnt loads from the twitter feed and the writeups. We just got so hyped about the whole experience and now educampdunners is happening...
http://educampdunners2011.wikispaces.com/Home
It was incredibly fun to collaborate and set up the wiki and now the ball really is rolling. We have a number of attendees signed up already and we are now gearing up for a very exciting time!!!!
http://educampdunners2011.wikispaces.com/Home
It was incredibly fun to collaborate and set up the wiki and now the ball really is rolling. We have a number of attendees signed up already and we are now gearing up for a very exciting time!!!!
e-teach
Tania and I met at the Esplanade at St Clair and marvelled over the high tides surging over the walls.
Then we enjoyed a great catch up with lunch and a coffee at SWELL.
Then we met at St Clair school in Dunedin for our e-teach session. We had a wonderful tour around St Clair school and marvelled at the new learning environment.
It is always so incredible to get together with like-minded people. I always come away from these sessions so enthused and invigorated.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Master's journey...
It doesn't feel real yet, but I have finished the assignments for my Master's of Educational Leadersip. It all began back in January 2009 with my first trip to Wellington for the contact time for the first two papers. I met some amazing people and many of them I have travelled the journey with. So I guess it has been a 28month journey. I look back in awe that I managed to complete 6 papers while I was working full-time...... It sure is great to have the opportunity to take my time this year. My latest two assignments were amazing. I created a movie telling a story of leadership over three generations of females. It was very emotional to create and was a wonderful journey. The finished product is a real treasure and I feel so privileged to have made this journey. My final assignment was my overall vision for education. It was a synthesis of the previous 7 papers outlined and linking my key concepts for leadership. I did this in the form of a cloak of leadership - He Korowai Rangitiratanga, integrating hauora, with my main concepts - Passion, Vision, Sharing, Relationship, Authenticity, and Spiritual Hope. Alongside this I touched on the key competencies, creation, collaboration, communication, empowering, showing resilience and storytelling. This essay took me almost all semester to get to a point where I was happy to let it go!!! I am very happy with the model I created to show the integration of my concepts, and love the tagxedo of my assignment. Now I await the results...
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Korowai
Today I co-facilitated a staff meeting around our ability to cope with implementation dips when coping with change in our education environment. We had prepared well for this and were really looking forward to this as at start of term activity.
Our Principal started with a quick chat and drawing of the implementation dip then we had a look at 5 whakatauki.
We talked about our well being when coping with change and life as a teacher. One way of doing this is weaving a protective cloth to protect us and help us through the tough times. We can look at how we can support each other and be aware of individual needs.
The cloak has four panels – the 4 elements of Hauora in the Health Curriculum
Hauora is a Māori philosophy of health unique to New Zealand. It comprises taha tinana, taha hinengaro, taha whanau, and taha wairua.
Taha tinana - Physical well-being
the physical body, its growth, development, and ability to move, and ways of caring for it
Taha hinengaro - Mental and emotional well-being
coherent thinking processes, acknowledging and expressing thoughts and feelings and responding constructively
Taha whanau - Social well-being
family relationships, friendships, and other interpersonal relationships; feelings of belonging, compassion, and caring; and social support
Taha wairua - Spiritual well-being
the values and beliefs that determine the way people live, the search for meaning and purpose in life, and personal identity and self-awareness (For some individuals and communities, spiritual well- being is linked to a particular religion; for others, it is not.)
Each of these four dimensions of hauora influences and supports the others.
Our discussion around our needs as teachers, as a staff was amazing. It rapidly became evident that we have similar concerns and needs with regard to work/live balance and we discussed what our basic needs are to face the future and cope with challenge and change. We each wrote our concepts 3-6ish on a band of fabric to weave into the korowai. The time of individual sharing and reflection was very powerful.
The next phase was adding the decoration to the cloak in the form of feathers. For this each of us thought of a time when we’ve been at our best supporting someone else. What did you do? After sharing this story with a partner we chose two words each to identify our strengths. Having written these on the feathers we added them to the cloak.
At a later date we will revisit the Korowai reflecting on our beliefs, principles, Key Competencies and indicators.
This was an incredibly inclusive, supportive experience to be a part of. The Korowai is hanging on the staffroom wall as a work in progress. It is a cloth to support us, protect and nurture us as we face change together throughout the year.
(An example of how to use this Korowai experience with a class can be found in Everybody Belongs - The Curriculum in Action.)
We reflected on the four the cloak we wanted to make and our needs - wahl -
the discussion was amazing.... it went from strength to strength as we all
realised we have the same concerns and needs etc.
I am attaching photos of our work in progress.
It was AMaZING - everyone really got involved and seemed to really enjoy
the journey.
The cloak is now up on the staffroom wall with plenty of space for more to
add their strip as lots were away today.
Thanks Again
Anne K
Our Principal started with a quick chat and drawing of the implementation dip then we had a look at 5 whakatauki.
We talked about our well being when coping with change and life as a teacher. One way of doing this is weaving a protective cloth to protect us and help us through the tough times. We can look at how we can support each other and be aware of individual needs.
The cloak has four panels – the 4 elements of Hauora in the Health Curriculum
Hauora is a Māori philosophy of health unique to New Zealand. It comprises taha tinana, taha hinengaro, taha whanau, and taha wairua.
Taha tinana - Physical well-being
the physical body, its growth, development, and ability to move, and ways of caring for it
Taha hinengaro - Mental and emotional well-being
coherent thinking processes, acknowledging and expressing thoughts and feelings and responding constructively
Taha whanau - Social well-being
family relationships, friendships, and other interpersonal relationships; feelings of belonging, compassion, and caring; and social support
Taha wairua - Spiritual well-being
the values and beliefs that determine the way people live, the search for meaning and purpose in life, and personal identity and self-awareness (For some individuals and communities, spiritual well- being is linked to a particular religion; for others, it is not.)
Each of these four dimensions of hauora influences and supports the others.
Our discussion around our needs as teachers, as a staff was amazing. It rapidly became evident that we have similar concerns and needs with regard to work/live balance and we discussed what our basic needs are to face the future and cope with challenge and change. We each wrote our concepts 3-6ish on a band of fabric to weave into the korowai. The time of individual sharing and reflection was very powerful.
The next phase was adding the decoration to the cloak in the form of feathers. For this each of us thought of a time when we’ve been at our best supporting someone else. What did you do? After sharing this story with a partner we chose two words each to identify our strengths. Having written these on the feathers we added them to the cloak.
At a later date we will revisit the Korowai reflecting on our beliefs, principles, Key Competencies and indicators.
This was an incredibly inclusive, supportive experience to be a part of. The Korowai is hanging on the staffroom wall as a work in progress. It is a cloth to support us, protect and nurture us as we face change together throughout the year.
We reflected on the four the cloak we wanted to make and our needs - wahl -
the discussion was amazing.... it went from strength to strength as we all
realised we have the same concerns and needs etc.
I am attaching photos of our work in progress.
It was AMaZING - everyone really got involved and seemed to really enjoy
the journey.
The cloak is now up on the staffroom wall with plenty of space for more to
add their strip as lots were away today.
Thanks Again
Anne K
Study
I have been very quiet on here lately... I spent soooo much time in term 1 travelling that my holidays were spent studying. I am almost completed my Masters of Educational Leadership and what an AMAZING journey it is. On Friday I submitted my penultimate paper and I felt as if I was handing over my soul. It was an extremely emotional, powerful and challenging reflection of leadership and my place in three generations of females and our individual, overlapping, and linked leadership.
Now I am completing my final paper. This is the development of my leadership model including the key concepts of leadership for me. The core of the paper is my integration of these key concepts. The assignment has travelled with me since January when I was in Wellington. Each day I think through the concepts I have chosen and mull over their interaction. Maybe this week will see the completion of this paper... I will keep you posted!
Now I am completing my final paper. This is the development of my leadership model including the key concepts of leadership for me. The core of the paper is my integration of these key concepts. The assignment has travelled with me since January when I was in Wellington. Each day I think through the concepts I have chosen and mull over their interaction. Maybe this week will see the completion of this paper... I will keep you posted!
Balance!!!
I think I have found the missing link! Exercise!
This year is seeing my work/life balance at an all time high. I have time for study, time for learning, time for living, family, friends, reading, writing, gardening, cooking, and more...
I thought I had it all together but the missing link was exercise. I am now back at the gym and not only is it good for my physical well-being, it is great for my social, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
I am really struggling to get back to any form of fitness but I am determined and I am committed.
My muscles are sore and it is a glorious feeling. Roll on 6am Tuesday and Thursday... now I need to commit to a couple more sessions each week and life will be sweet.
This year is seeing my work/life balance at an all time high. I have time for study, time for learning, time for living, family, friends, reading, writing, gardening, cooking, and more...
I thought I had it all together but the missing link was exercise. I am now back at the gym and not only is it good for my physical well-being, it is great for my social, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
I am really struggling to get back to any form of fitness but I am determined and I am committed.
My muscles are sore and it is a glorious feeling. Roll on 6am Tuesday and Thursday... now I need to commit to a couple more sessions each week and life will be sweet.
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