Well I am back - I haven’t grasped this professional blogging thing, to be fair, I haven’t really given it a chance. I have always found it difficult to express myself to other and reflect on what I have done or I'm doing. I tend to do it in my mind ...late at night! I am a processor sure and need that time to go away and reflect. By which stage the moment has gone and my input not needed! So now I am back, trying to reflect now...so the rest of my life doesn't get in the way and I miss the post! Yes I will use the questions as my prompt - let see were they lead me!

What did I learn that increased my understanding of the kaupapa and pedagogy of the Manaiakalani Programme? it is always a treat to listen to Dorothy and todays take way for me was the revisiting of the pillars of learning - there always seems so much with the MK pedagogy so it was great to have a refresh with the pillars - my ain mow is to put them in my planning more!

What did I learn that could improve my capability and confidence in teaching maths? The biggest learning is although I know lots, its ok to be an experienced teacher here, as there is still so much to learn. I love that about education - the learning never stops.

What did I learn that could be used with my learners? I love the survey - something I have done in the past but not for a few years, that is will be on next weeks plan. I also enjoyed the use of pictures. I have always used everyday pictures in maths but never with such open ended questions and thinking - can't wait to give that a go.

What did I learn that could be shared within my wider community, with either colleagues, or whānau/aiga? There was a lot to share, as the WSL I like to share one new idea a week so this week I will share the new curriculum info to help the teacher check their planning. Then it will be the video Boosting Maths.

Bee Inquiry

I enjoyed making this Bee Inquiry Slideshow as it is September which is the month of the bee. We are looking at the Bee and the impact they have on our world this month and this slideshow is our starting point, I am hoping it will cater for the online home learning and transfer back into the classroom.

 

Handwriting through pictures

 Here is an example of how I do handwriting, parts of speech and oral language in my class. Very simple way to tick lots of boxes and the kid enjoy the discussion and writing.

Play School -

 So being in lock down has brought me back to the wonderful world of DFI! Oh how I have missed it!  Here is my latest literacy slideshow I have made in the hope to engage a few more of my kids!  Has a nod to the past too! Thanks Sharon teaching me how to turbo boost my slideshows!

Te Kau

 

Iwa

 Final day of DFI,  we have just finished the 3 hours exam and a delicious shared lunch, and Mark wants us to be reflective! 

I have enjoyed learning about the pedagogy of Manaiakalani.  I feel like a kid who has been given one of those gifts that is layer upon layer of wrapping paper, and each layer brings more excitement as we get closer to to the end. Although in this case there is no end.  I am hoping to take all the slide shows back and somehow keep looking at them.  I am wondering how I get the pedagogy embedded into my team along with regular blog posts. There is nothing like .........I have completely forgotten what I was going to say in that sentence or where it was going.  Is this age, tiredness or the distractions taking over.  Mark made the comment about Jen's blog and how good it was to read as it identifies her learning style. I would have to say I have learnt that I need a quiet space with little or no talking around me. The table next to me during this journey, has been noisy and at times I have found it difficult to work due to this.  Maybe that is why I have presently forgotten what I was typing!

It takes 14 days for the results of the exam to come back - that's funny in today's world of instant responses!  I am now just waffling so should stop as this may impact my profession! 

Waru

 DFI - second last session! For the first time ever, I have butterflies when I think of the exam which I know is more about reading the question correctly!

I am once again shattered today and finding coming up with something to reflex on difficult! Feel the bullet point side of my personality starting to take over!

Empowering - I am wanting to write something amazing and intelligent in regards to this but can't remember enough about it to make that comment! That is because I am tired not because it was boring, I assure you.  I will need to go back. The one thing that won't leave the front of my mind is economic inequality and how this is so prevalent in our country. Growing up in the peaceful Waitaki valley as a farmer's daughter who never wanted for anything then starting my teaching life in South Auckland reminds me of the economic injustice that is everywhere.  I loved South Auckland, I miss the joy and love for life those kids had. I have often holidayed in Auckland with my own children just to let them see how lucky they are, and how other kiwi's live while making the most of all they have. To be involved in something that is empowering children and their families is a pretty cool feeling! 

I completed the moral and ethic challenge in regards to the cars and the thoughts and discussion around that was great.  The balance of all this great technology and the essence of human life and the environment will always be a massive challenge to balance out.  In an ideal world, making money wouldn't be the underlying reason for doing anything. 

Enjoyed the coding - Especially the Minecraft one, we use Scratch a lot at the moment in our class and would like to look into Minecraft also!  So I made this comment as a reminder before I went on to the Create part of our agenda and discovered the website Code in an Hour with all of its amazing resources. So I have been lost in the world of The Grinch, Minecraft and Mini Mihi.  I like the idea of setting a coding challenge up for the kids on a Friday afternoon, reminded me of Stem challenges.  Something for our team to look into.

Oh this is short!  I am tired and ready to go get my beautiful daughter!  As said before, I have throughly enjoyed this PD and will somehow continue my learning process!  Here's till next week and the exam!  Can't wait!!