Teaching and thriving where I am.

Some e Thing Old ( etools used for more than 12 months) Some e Thing New ( newly tried or recent mastery ) Some e Thing Borrowed (Copied from a colleague ) Some e Thing Blue ( foundational,  traditional) Google Docs- shared editing BookTrack Meme to get Own Blog Started Notes copied in Camera roll and then emailed My own quick challenge. Take 2 minutes to pin  what digital tools I've used. Got to be specific with what I have used. Got to master what works best for me in my classes and in my professional style. I often use PMI charts ( p ositive, m inus, i nteresting) with students about their leaning encounters and journeys. Will encourage others to do this too. 

Fat cats, Fat cheek, Fat chance... i have an  issue with the word "Fat". Sometimes, just sometimes teachers have a woeful moment after all the traditional heavy treat foods at a morning tea and as the bell goes for the next class the 3- letter F word is uttered. Fridays are fabulous at our school...we have massive feeds (well i do) and I'm paying the price of a few (actually many) 'fat friends'! I was never really into the coffee and cake routine- until it started, and it is wonderful but i have to exercise self control, caution and remember the golden message...input must equal output. I tell my students to 'Own their Learning and study habits', to "Own their actions" to "own their digital footprints and legacy"...now i find myself seriously needing to own my own calorie intake ...it is so hard....but the rewards are great!  Visiting One Tree Hill College last Friday was a rather fascinating experience. I don't know all the details

Thinking about the start of next year seems daunting at this stage of the year- so before your students leave ask them too leave you ( and your room ) with a gift.   An idea gift . Ask your students what they really like and what they would change of they could about the layout/space in your room. Physical environments are a big deal in primary and intermediate classes because that age group spends more time in "home rooms" than college students do in their respective rooms. We value our students and therefor value the environment in which they are expected to be productive and creative. Hillary Swank aka Mrs Gruwell demonstrated that well in Freedom Writers. I was really surprised last year when my students voted for the best idea (which was totally workable) a flag ceiling...not hanging but spread flat along the ceiling. Here it is: Our school logo is a palm tree and they wanted one of those in the room (this was my Year 12 Eng class on the last day of term. Well ino