Skype Session with Afghanistan

We have been reading 'Boy Overboard' by Morris Gleitzman, about an Afghan boy and his family who love their country but have to escape when the government forces blow up their house.  The students' curiosity has really been triggered by this book and they had many questions to ask.

Through connections I was able to set up a Skype session with a UN Ambassador to Afghanistan, the Hon. Chris Carter.  He got up before 6.30 am to talk with us.

Before the Skype session, the students brainstormed questions which were meaningful to them.  See them here.

During the session each student had a role to play - Leader, Questioner, Researcher, Notetaker, Photographer, and Videographer.

Mr Carter answered all of our questions, adding some interesting forsights.  He then showed us around his home in Kabul. The highlight for many of the class was seeing the guard with his rifle!  We also asked Mr Carter about how he has adapted to life after migrating from New Zealand to take up his role.

Keep an eye out for follow up activities.

 

Learning with iPads

Mandy Dempsey
30 May, 2013

A free introduction to using iPads in the classroom from eTime, a Christchurch based digital learning company.

SAMR Model

• a model for effectively implementing digital learning into the classroom.
• the higher up the model the more effective the teaching and learning.

iTunes U

• iTunes University - free learning resources available through iTunes but only accessible on iOS devices.
• Can create and share own material

iPad Apps and other resources are recorded separately.

Interestingly, was unable to implement any of the learning as the IT technician wouldn't allow any of the apps to be installed!!!!

Incredible Years

After a busy year in 2012 with Professional Development in Positive Behaviour for Learning, Written Language, Assessment for Learning and lots of Digital Technologies I have been enrolled in the Incredible Years course.  This is a 6 day programme spread over 2 terms.

Workshop 1

• Building positive relationships with students
• Proactive teacher - Preventive approaches

Workshop 2

• Praise and encouragement
• Coaching skills
• Goal setting

Workshop 3

• Incentive systems
• Parent involvement
• Behaviour plans

Workshop 4

• Decreasing inappropriate behaviours
• Behaviour plans

Incredible Years coaching complements our School Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning Programme.

Co-operative Learning

Mark Barratt, Ben Dyson et al

http://grooveshark.com/ - streaming music

Roles

Teach these, display and revise regularly

Choose the roles that suit the activity

Modeling of the roles, skills etc 

• Encouragement - teach students to give good feedback.
• Coach
• Equipment manager
• Reporters

Groups

• Groups of 4 ideal, changed every 5/6 weeks
• Top kids, middle and lower kids in each group.
• Face partners, shoulder partners - top/bottom kids sit diagonally so they don't work together.

Positives / Negatives / interesting of Co-operative Learning

• Needs to be taught, scaffolding, repetition of skills needed.
• Inclusiveness can be a +ve and a -ve
• How's is going to help my ...? raise student achievement? Must lead to an outcome.
• Transfer of skills, master in one area, link to other areas and practice.
• Take on things in bite sizes.  Don't take on everything at once. It's a process and takes time to master.
• Increases the likelihood of full buy in - no, or little, opting out.
• Teaching social skills 
• Grouping is important.  Change groups after 6 weeks.
• Peer pressure encourages involvement.
• Opting out - students see that activities are fun, interactive, and they'll want to join in.

Activities

• The Freeze - take turns to lead a group of four.  Each doing one dance move. New person leads after each 'freeze'.
• Think, Peer, Share
• Y-chart
• Quiz, Quiz, Trade - revision, definitions, basic facts, What am I?, vocabulary activities, 
• Rules - 'Stand up, hand up, pair up', don't seek out friends, trading cards, 2 tips and re-ask, must have a specific answer.
• Start with simple answers to build up the routines
• Steer away from new knowledge 
• Or for front loading

• Numbered heads

• Showdown

Vocabulary

Based on research undertaken by Caroline Chawke, 2012

'Almost all learning is based on the concept of transfer.'- Singer

• Creating multiple opportunities for varied practices
• Solve problems that are similar to those they will eventually have to solve
• Teach how to formulate general rules, strategies or schemes
• Provide cues that will allow them to connect to prior knowledge

'Background knowledge manifests itself as vocabulary knowledge  therefore teaching vocabulary is synonymous with teaching background knowledge.' - Marzano, 2004

Class Activities to Support Vocabulary Development:

• Habitat I Spy - choose a habitat and play I Spy using something you would find in that habitat.
• Charades
• 6 Thinking Hats to discuss a scenario
• Hangman
• Definition challenge - winning group comes up with the best definition for the word.
• The best sentence - using the word