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Friday, 31 October 2014
Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Busy October
Wow- it certainly has been difficult to find the time to sit down and hash out a blog post. One of my professional goals this year is to get into the habit of reflecting and sharing more regularly through our classroom blog. This has been difficult to make a priority, but I truly hope to get into the habit!
We have so many great things happening here in the classroom this year, I really hope that I am able to share some of those things with you here. It is hard to know what is going on in the classroom when the standard response to the question, "What did you do in school today?" is "'Nothing much".
Since returning from Camp Arnes with our grade six students, life here at Beaumont has been a whirlwind of activity. From family group meetings, to hot lunches, to choir and volleyball clubs, to intramurals and Kindergarten buddies, there has been lots to keep our students active and busy. Myself, I have been charged with getting our twenty-four school iPads up and running, which has been a very fulfilling, yet time-consuming process. Hopefully, though, with just a few more days of hard work, we should have the iPads ready to launch by November 1st.
Yay!
Students in 5/6 We continue to ask about our personal device policy and when they can bring devices to the classroom. I want to take the time right now to assure students, that while it WILL happen one day, it will not be in this first term. A lot of preparation and teaching surrounds the responsible use of personal electronic devices in the classroom, and we want to make sure that it is a positive experience for everyone. In addition, I want to make clear that the use of personal devices will not be "for fun", although their use in the classroom certainly can add an element of fun and creativity to the right lesson! The use of personal devices is also optional, and is certainly not a requirement in grade 5/6. So be sure to keep an eye open for more information about PEDs coming home closer to the new year.
Thanks everyone!
We have so many great things happening here in the classroom this year, I really hope that I am able to share some of those things with you here. It is hard to know what is going on in the classroom when the standard response to the question, "What did you do in school today?" is "'Nothing much".
Since returning from Camp Arnes with our grade six students, life here at Beaumont has been a whirlwind of activity. From family group meetings, to hot lunches, to choir and volleyball clubs, to intramurals and Kindergarten buddies, there has been lots to keep our students active and busy. Myself, I have been charged with getting our twenty-four school iPads up and running, which has been a very fulfilling, yet time-consuming process. Hopefully, though, with just a few more days of hard work, we should have the iPads ready to launch by November 1st.
Yay!
Students in 5/6 We continue to ask about our personal device policy and when they can bring devices to the classroom. I want to take the time right now to assure students, that while it WILL happen one day, it will not be in this first term. A lot of preparation and teaching surrounds the responsible use of personal electronic devices in the classroom, and we want to make sure that it is a positive experience for everyone. In addition, I want to make clear that the use of personal devices will not be "for fun", although their use in the classroom certainly can add an element of fun and creativity to the right lesson! The use of personal devices is also optional, and is certainly not a requirement in grade 5/6. So be sure to keep an eye open for more information about PEDs coming home closer to the new year.
Thanks everyone!
Monday, 6 October 2014
October Beginnings
With an amazing grade six camp experience behind us, we are now ready to look ahead at October, and the many learning opportunities we have before us.
First things first, we have our first Tri-Conference appointments scheduled for Thursday, October 9th and Friday, October 10th. While these appointments are earlier this year, it is the opportune time for us to look ahead and talk about academic and social goals with families and students.
This month also is the perfect time for us to start talking about global citizenship and philanthropy. Grade 5 and 6 students will be weaving hemp bracelets and key chains to raise money for UNICEF. Students will also be starting an amazing clay poppy project as an introduction to our study of World War One.
It's going to be a great month!
First things first, we have our first Tri-Conference appointments scheduled for Thursday, October 9th and Friday, October 10th. While these appointments are earlier this year, it is the opportune time for us to look ahead and talk about academic and social goals with families and students.
This month also is the perfect time for us to start talking about global citizenship and philanthropy. Grade 5 and 6 students will be weaving hemp bracelets and key chains to raise money for UNICEF. Students will also be starting an amazing clay poppy project as an introduction to our study of World War One.
It's going to be a great month!
Monday, 29 September 2014
Math at Home
After a few weeks of in-class math assessments as part of creating our classroom Strong Beginnings profile, we finally had our first "true" math class last week. We are starting with function machines (or function tables) to refresh our computational skills in addition, subtraction and multiplication. At the same time, we are learning to look for patterns, and to use problem solving strategies. Function tables set the stage for algebraic thinking and is usually a new concept for many students arriving in grade 5. Many students struggle at first with the flexible thinking required to look for patterns and missing digits, all the while being a little rusty after a summer of sunshine and relaxation.
One thing I quickly observed is how uncomfortable some of our students are with struggle; how quickly they give up and declare that they can't do it. Despite having worked hard the first few weeks to establish a safe and caring culture, where students are free to make mistakes, it is evident that this is something I really need to demonstrate and put into practice with our students. I often try to remind them that if they gave up trying to walk the first time they fell down, they would all still be crawling today, and that would be pretty silly. It is so, so important for students to understand that not everything is easy the first time (or the second, or the third...) they try something new. Mistakes are part of learning and are essential for developing new understanding. To remind them, some of the quotes we have up in the class include:
-I've learned so much from my mistakes... I'm thinking of making a few more.
-Mistakes are proof that you are trying.
-Learning is not easy- Embrace, Struggle, Grow.
and
-The biggest mistake that you can make is "not trying".
This all being said, there are ways outside of the classroom that parents can help support their children in math without revisiting concepts that cause them stress in the classroom. Take a look at this terrific graphic I was given by a colleague this weekend:
Once we are back from grade six camp next week, we will be revisiting multiplication and division strategies in class. Continued practice and support of these facts at home are also important.
Have a great week!
One thing I quickly observed is how uncomfortable some of our students are with struggle; how quickly they give up and declare that they can't do it. Despite having worked hard the first few weeks to establish a safe and caring culture, where students are free to make mistakes, it is evident that this is something I really need to demonstrate and put into practice with our students. I often try to remind them that if they gave up trying to walk the first time they fell down, they would all still be crawling today, and that would be pretty silly. It is so, so important for students to understand that not everything is easy the first time (or the second, or the third...) they try something new. Mistakes are part of learning and are essential for developing new understanding. To remind them, some of the quotes we have up in the class include:
-I've learned so much from my mistakes... I'm thinking of making a few more.
-Mistakes are proof that you are trying.
-Learning is not easy- Embrace, Struggle, Grow.
and
-The biggest mistake that you can make is "not trying".
This all being said, there are ways outside of the classroom that parents can help support their children in math without revisiting concepts that cause them stress in the classroom. Take a look at this terrific graphic I was given by a colleague this weekend:
Have a great week!
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