"I suppose I make funny jokes," the child mumbles. Instead of ticking off boxes that the mini-exhibition include art and ICT, I'm challenging the kids to think about ways that they can best express their learning. While some of the children know exactly what it is that gets them in a state of flow, many of them... Continue Reading →
Weekly Reflection: Giving voice
Speeches. Just the word is enough to send shivers down the backs of some students and their teachers too. The primary school speech format has changed so little from the time I went to school. Most schools have each child get up in front of their class for 3-4 minutes. The best speakers then are... Continue Reading →
Weekly Reflection: I can’t believe they didn’t know *that*
As a Year 7/8 teacher, I’m sure I’m not the only one who has in times of frustration complained that kids these days just don’t seemed as clued in as the kids of yesteryear. They’ve been at school 7 years and still don’t know the four times table. Their work is littered with text speak.... Continue Reading →
Weekly Reflection: The MAGIC of self-organised learning enviroments
Phew. Another week over, another term done and dusted. A particular highlight of this week was finally getting the bottle bivvy construction started. My class had been collecting milk bottles all term but I had no idea what kind of base to build the bivvy. Finally in a moment of inspiration I realised that the... Continue Reading →
Weekly Reflection: Where did the half year go?
One of the bizzare things about being teacher is that you quickly start marking out your life in relation to the school year. Some days I may have no idea the date is but I will always be able to tell you what week of the term it is. Teachers don't talk in dates... Continue Reading →
New Post: Change is as good as a holiday
I am Beginning Teacher. Last week I left work at 3pm, went shopping and had a leisurely coffee before going to the gym. On a school night. There are some teachers, I would be one of them, who would be appalled a teacher much less a Beginning Teacher would do such a thing. They'll be even more... Continue Reading →
Weekly Reflection: Pulling off an amazing assembly
At our school the students run the weekly assembly. Having sat through the first few, to be honest I had come to dread the hour I spent in the school hall each week and I knew I wasn't the only one. The kids weren't all that enthused about our weekly school gatherings which reminded me... Continue Reading →
Weekly Reflection: The new school year
This week marks the beginning of the school year in New Zealand. Along with new students there will also be new teachers who will start teaching 'for real.' I'm sure that most of the teachers are feeling a bit like me. Wildly oscillating between "woohoo the kids are arriving next week I can't wait to start trying... Continue Reading →
Weekly reflection: the worst possible week to get sick
After ending last week on a high I was super duper excited to get back into the classroom for week five, I planned up a storm over the weekend and was feeling excited about what lay ahead. And then I woke up on Monday morning feeling absolutely awful. Despite thinking I merely had a cold which I... Continue Reading →
Weekly reflection: A student teacher with a plan?
If I was to sum up my week in one word, it would be procrastination. I probably shouldn't be so hard on myself as it is the first week of the school holidays. But I know that I have three weeks worth of teaching to plan for when I get back from holidays and also... Continue Reading →
Teaching the Teacher 