Planning

So, we are into the first half hour of our half day mtg.  My colleagues are so on their way and have great ideas and have implemented many already!  The school has had a "We Day"assembly so making a difference is on everyone's mind.  Today we are looking at what the final project will look like, what have they already used in class (padlet was demonstrated by the teacher), what else will enhance the whole inquiry idea?

New Challenge

I am on another great ride with 2 grade 7 colleagues who are a wealth of knowledge.  Ideas are flowing so freely that we do many speed donuts in the road before once again heading straight down the right road!  If that doesn't make sense, we have a ton of ideas for our unit and have to step back often to make sure we are on the right road.  These ladies want their students to know they can make a difference.  And I believe they will.

Are we there?

Well this has been more difficult.  We missed the initial learning session so it has been much more difficult to be committed to all the pieces of the project.  I think the project is great and has been going well for the teacher.  But we have not really met to discuss pieces that perhaps we could change/add/delete.  As a grade 8 teacher he is incredibly busy in the school and extra curricular activities!!  So it feels doubly difficult to take a 1/2 day to plan.  Oh well.  We will keep going by talking over the photocopier, or in the hallway.  I do look forward to the final projects.

I think that the gr. 3 students learned a lot of things without knowing it.  They Skyped and Blogged which they had never done before.  They watched the actual election process in our gym.  I feel they learned in real time or could make connections to real situations.

Now today I am on another journey with a new partner.  I am looking forward to working with this person as they are more concrete than I and I know that I will learn a huge amount from him!  I always knew that he did a great job in the classroom and after looking at his latest assignment, it will be great.

Another very productive mtg. today.  Along with Diane and Laura, Crystal and I have taken the planning to the stage where the students will be coming up with their own questions.  We also came up with some possible final assignments.  More info. to come.  Hopefully meet with Judy and Carlene next week to make sure we are on the right path.

Oh, the places I will go!!  I hope.
It is great to have partners to share ideas with on this journey. 
Our first time together was spent the majority of the time trying to come up with a big idea.  Sometimes I think we think too much and make it a harder task than is necessary.  We have already decided on our first half day of planning and I look forward to being away from school and getting a great start on our unit.