Tara’s Masters Happiness

21 August

Wow!  Liz got my attention.  She’s extremely easy to listen to.  I heard the connecting with the world beyond her class.  I saw her following people of interest and then contacting them to bring them to her kids (via technology). lovely.

Then it was my time to meet with Paul to chat about my FS.  This was helpful, but the timing not so much.

I want to know more about Jump Math!! Darlene is my contact and has links on delicious.   Karen talked to me at lunch about what Liz said regarding where to show projects and enter contests.  she’s a TLite student?  or mentor?   

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Portfolio Reflections for tomorrow:

How has your work with technology affected your work as an educator ?

Last year I stepped into my first team leader position.  I came into the year (and brand new middle school) running.   It felt like our team of teachers, admin and support staff really jelled quickly.  we were heading for battle and everyone appeared energized and excited–most had MS experience already. Read More…

written August 11th @ 1:29pm

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my reflections from Julia’s FS chit chat

how can I make the curriculum FIT the student rather than have the student fit the curriculum?

cross your arms, now do it a different way–if you want to understand s/thg try it a different way.  not better way, just different

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my possible FS question: a fuzzy reflection (in-class assignment)

How can I motivate/support students to own their education?  I want kids to buy in more–take that power that I believe they give away to teachers everytime they take on an inactive learning postures.  “You didn’t tell me!  I didn’t know it was due!  Who cares.”

The battle of the FS question (end of week 1):

What happens when D61 teachers collaborate on a weekly Advisory format to . . .

* help “loner” gr 6-8 students connect with peers at MMS?

so what?  outcome?  to create a safe learning environment for all

and we have a winner!!!

What happens when district 61 teachers collaborate on a weekly Advisory format to help students connect to their advisor and each other?

I am asked to do a reflection but I am dreaming of the chocolate selection in the caf. I’m thinking of trouble teachers might give an off-task daydreamer like me. . .detention.  I’m dreading the ride home with Helen “I could kick Lance Armstrong’s butt” Martin. Read More…

*Aug 19th @ 8pm, I just reread my questions below and they’re GREAT. not necessarily for my immediate field study, but great for September thinking.  let’s hear it for reflection people!!!

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Setting & Context ?’s

How will discovering their indiv. learning styles affect their ownership of learning?

What happens to the amount tagging at MMS when students contribute to the welfare of our school?

What happens when a student tech committee teaches and supports another MMS teacher once week?

2. Teaching Strategies & Content

How do I use journal writing to help students be critical thinkers and problem solvers?

What happens when I use a visual/auditory approach to promote curiousity in Science 8?

How do I use student led micro-teaching to improve interpersonal relationships?

 3. Visions & Hopes for teaching

How can I use technology to reach more kinestetic leaners?

What happens when I use technology to connect with experts outside of the classroom?

How can I collaborate on-line with peers in a way that feels safe and simple to them?

How can I use technology to highlight the gifts of each student?

Day 2 Field Study development: 

How might we. . . (do what) for. . . (context)so that I can improve. . .

How might  D61 teachers collaborate to develop an Advisory program for gr 8 MMS students?

What happens when D61 teachers have 1 afternoon a month to develop a weekly Advisory program for my gr8 MMS students?

How might D61 teachers collaborate around gr8 Advisory programs so that we can improve teacher confidence?

What happens when D61 teachers collaborate on a weekly Advisory format to help “loner” gr 6-8 students connect with peers at MMS?

What happens when teachers collaborate to develop Advisory strategies to improve students’ feelings of belonging in gr8 at MMS.

How will this FS help my students to be more competent and confident learners?

A strong connection (sense of belonging)

Ok, so my post from this afternoon is GONE. perhaps I was spazzy and didn’t save it. . .BOOOOO!

Notes for mentor group discussion tomorrow:

the value of observations:

Vision quest = observations where you “knows something” afterwards.  you can’t help but learn if you observe.  it feels like a gift to teachers (time) stimulates reflection

Wow, what a DAY.  I’ve gotten tons done and yet haven’t check much off my Tlite to-do list.  eek!!!

* commented on a blog (a 1st for me): getting 8th graders to talk in whole class forums

* FINALLY figured out where Explorer was hiding my RSS feeds. . . dude, the pain I’ve survived

* found a new place to get an answer to my current burning question: Where online can I find a free place to collaborate and create a Venn diagram?    ←help if you can!

* made a connection between podcasting and the position paper blog assignment: I’m going to read the article and blog my response after creating a template in Inspiration

I just finished my second big reading and a podcast to boot.

I know I am someone who talks to learn.  I know I will not reread the articles, but will very likely listen to a podcast again!  AND, Helen listened to my first podcast about Reading 10!  Unbelievable.  I sent it to my mentor group, but really didn’t expect anyone to listen.   I hope there weren’t the same amount of “uhms” in that one.  lots of work, but good practise for the Fall with the kids.

I’ve decided to respond to my summer readings via podcast.  let’s see how this goes.  will it make it harder or easier to reflect?

ok that didn’t really work b/c I didn’t have the reading I wanted ready to roll. apparently my trunk ate it and I’m a lot more like my students than I’d care to think  (visual the Math handout at the bottom of the locker under the rotting lunch.

each colour represents a different time that I am jumping onto this one post to comment.  I just read the first segment of reading 10 to support my blog article assignment.  I know that I like to speak to learn.  I know that when I need to go back and refer to the info in this article I am WAY more likely to listen to a podcast of my thoughts (while running, cleaning, gardening, marking) than re-reading the article. so far this is working.  I feel like I may need some Smart Learning framework here to guide my reflections.

this blue is good, the green is not so good.