Thoughts on Georges blog from the heart

I am feeling very sad for George and how he felt about the death of his friend and pet.  I am also feeling down.
I really care about children's education and committing myself to being the best possible teacher.  I am constantly reading, staying on top of the latest techno. whiz crappo things, philosophies....  I also have been seeking that next level of teaching.  I know I am good but I see so much more but didn't know where to go.  After years of trying to find the next inspiration it all came together at Connectedca.  The conference itself didn't do it.  It was the comraderie teh conference created.  It was that feeling of not being alone in this quest to take education to another level.  I am sad and upset about what has been taking place in my school.

Firstly I have been passed over again for any accolades of my contribution to students well being.  I am not a smoozer, I'm a bit on the spectrum as seen in my difficulties socially.  But I have been openly (though not 100% publicly) placed in the lower ranks of inquiry teaching by someone who has never been above.  The school is at odds our being called a Science and technology school is only recognized by the gadgets and equipment not by the quality of inquiry teaching (although there are a lot of great things happening).

I am saddened for myself but also for this person.  He has given up,  he dedicates himself to reading and understanding principals but that effort is for personal gain it does not spread through the staff.  I think he is depressed and wish I could help get him on track - be a leader, study leadership like you study technology.  Dedicate yourself to becoming the best possible example learn to do what you need to do to do your best at your career.

I want to change schools - what I am doing can be done anywhere - I don't need ipads, apple tv, and all the gadgetry to teach inquiry.  What I do need though is the license to explore new methods, ideas adn be creative in my lessons without being questioned about where I go in my search.  I may have that problem at another school.

My daughter is a canary and she got it from me - no heart on the sleeve but it sure can feel sore in the chest!

The good times keep rolling after Connectedca.  Each day has brought new fun adn engagement from the children.  Today was all about measuring surface area.  I started off with a 5 minute flip video on area (done as homework).  Then sent the children out to measure the area of the intermediate play area.  I gave them a choice of resources; large red sheets of 1 sq. m. paper or meter sticks.  See pictures.  It took less than 5 minutes for 10 of them to join together with their paper.  They started leap frogging paper around the play area all totally engaged and problem solving.  I looked over and saw 2 students with a meter stick measuring the  the dimensions of the area and then using their ipads to multiply to get the area.

When we debriefed the activity the large group that worked so well collaboratively realized sheepishly that they had only measured the perimeter.  When the 2 students with meter sticks reported on their thinking and calculation the whole class paused then broke into excited discussion.

Tomorrows problem will be to measure the area of the soccer field.  When I mentioned this 1 student muttered under his breath "Why go outside I can do that on Google Earth."  Another student called out in response to me  mentioning I will have several tools available to them,  "...are you going to put out the GPS units"  We had used them in a measurement unit a month earlier.  I look forward to their creative designs.

Day 5 post ConnectEdca Unbelievable!

Unbelievable!!!Had a phenomenal activity on making a fence around the primary playground.  I let them go - they were on track and busy and talking and being creative and having fun.  It so relaxing and fun to just walk around and ask questions of  the students about there work and see their little minds at work.

Near the end of the day I asked the students if they noticed that learning was very different this week - all hands went up.  Then I asked if were better or worse all hands went up for better.

The formula this week was about our brainstorming session on engagement.  They made the suggestions I implemented  and they followed their list to support my planning.  Also I gave them real projects and problems to do/solve and room to work on them.

I have reading articles about inquiry and facilitation in the classroom and trying small bits out for 2 years now.  I feel I have just elevated by teaching quality to a new level.  I was always good but this is really HOT.  It will be interesting to bring along a new class next year.  I hope I don't forget while I am grooming the little gr. 4's to handle the responsibilities of my truly inquiry class.