Inspiring Students

Hi everyone! I know I've said this before but... thanks for being such an inspiring group of students.

I loved hearing all your ideas using Socratic Questioning today Rooms 7 and 8. You are always able to see many sides of an issue and to use the Habit of Mind of Thinking Flexibly. You certainly showed that today!

I've also loved seeing the progress everyone is making with their blogs. You are adding so much that shows your learning. Remember to aim for correct surface features and check before you publish. Someone in our class did point out to me today that, because you are learning and developing in your use of blogs, that you would expect to see some errors and that these would disappear over time as you improved in your knowledge and accuracy. Great thinking Team and you are so right - another way to see development in your learning. Proud of all of you!

what is eLearning

What is elearning? Many people say it is electronic learning but.... not the kids in room 8.

What we thought it meant is educational learning, environmental learning, collaboration and connecting with others. I think people should think a bit harder when it comes to these things and think outside the box bit more often do you agree? Write a comment telling us whether you agree or disagree.

by Liam and Karen

Photopeach

Exploring Photopeach as a Learning Tool on PhotoPeach - discuss how this could be used to show your learning. You can turn it into a quiz by adding captions, etc. Would it be useful for our Wisconsin / Myross Bush wiki? We could use NZ music perhaps - checking copyright first though! :-)

Inspiring Students

Inspiration for teaching and learning can come from many experiences. One of the most inspiring weeks I've had has been this week. We have been getting all the blogs set up for the children - many thanks to parents as well! I have been inspired by the commitment to their learning the children have and also by the way they have taken on board and explained the reasons for having their own blogs.

In Room 8 we are all teachers and we are all learners. This will come through clearly as you read their blogs and I hope you will also be inspired by a wonderful group of children.

I won't be commenting in their homework books as often as my comments - and yours - will have more value on the blog as they share their learning journeys with you. My goal is to comment on each post.

Please let me know your thoughts as they add more to the blogs. We also continue to focus on internet safety so that they can have the best learning experiences while keeping safe on the net.

Habits of Mind - Persisting

We've begun to look at Habits of Mind and the valuable place they have in our learning and our lives in general. We brainstormed what we thought a habit was for us. Come in and check out our thoughts and reflections on the wall.

The first Habit - Perisisting - was all about not giving up, trying new ways, staying on task and remaining focussed. Again, this has been explored and there are lots of fantastic thoughts on our wall. Come in and see what you would add to it - we'd love your contributions.

Please add your examples of times when you had to persist and not give up on something - add as comments. Family members are encouraged to contribute too.

This week's HOM is Managing Impulsivity

I've also added some photos of pages from the book written and illustrated by Marie Ciota with a forward by Art Costa and Bena Kallick - the developers of HOM. (If you would like to purchase this book, please let me know and I can point you in the right direction).