Kuaka - The Explorer

Tuia 250 inquiry began in Room 2: They used this image and removed the background. They then added their own  background and wrote favourite places they have been or places they would like to go. Check their BLOGS!

Room 2's Environmental Writing

Environmental Writing - using calendar pictures:

Room 2 have been using a scene from nature to write an Environmental Poem. First they identified the NOUNS and described them using ADJECTIVES. They then used VERBS to describe an action for their nouns and then described their verbs using ADVERBS.

See Teacher's example below:

Focus: To use adjectives and adverbs to describe a scene.

Determiners	Adjectives	Nouns	Verbs	Adverbs	Prepositional phrase
The	Wooly, white Golden cloaked Green and gold Regimental Snow topped	Sheep Trees Hills Fences Mountains	Eat Stand Nestle Guard tower	Hungrily Like soldiers Silently Posessively majestically	the fresh green grass Against the backdrop of mountains Behind the  lushgreen paddocks As the sheep graze Overlooking the life below

Wooly white sheep graze hungrily on the fresh green grass

Golden cloaked trees stand like soldiers against the towering backdrop

Green and gold hills nestle silently beyond the lush paddocks

Regimental fences guard possesively as the sheep wander

Snow-topped mountains stand majestically beneath the deep blue sky!


Check out Room 2's Blogs to see the students writing!

DFI 9: Revision

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

Being in the learner seat today was insightful. I can see the value in having a go and can relate more to my students put in this position. It was challenging coming from a position of not knowing and finding out as opposed to my usual knowing and doing it or teaching it.

• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional?

Practice...practice... practice and become familiar with using the tools will improve my confidence and there fore enable me to use more digital tools in the classroom. I am also aware that learn... create... share is not confined to technology and need to celebrate the GOOD things I am doing in my learning environment.

• What did I learn that could be used with my learners?  

My learners would really enjoy using Google Forms to create a quiz highlighting their learning.

• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life?

I learnt to take it as it comes. Challenges are not always easy and that the winning is in the trying to... and retrying to... and that is what we ask of our students so I have recognised that I am not used to getting it 'wrong' so to speak.

I am sure I will continue to reflect on the DFI sessions and all that they have exposed me to... taught me... challenged me... frustrated me and enlightened and strengthened my practice.

DFI:8 Computational Thinking

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

Learn Create Share

is becoming more evident for me. I have experienced this pedagogy across a number of settings and in many forms. It does no necessarily have to be digital but can be.

Practical application of digital tools today has been rewarding. Lightbots and the coding was fun and I am sure I will be able to engage my students with these tools.

• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional?

To just have a go and if it is wrong or doesnt work try again or rethink my approach or understanding.

• What did I learn that could be used with my learners?  

Coding and lightbots... I can totally see this being inegrated for my learners. I can also see how it will assist learners of differing abilities to shine.

• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life?

That there is no shame in getting it wrong ... in fact there is no wrong it is just that I havent learnt that yet.

DFI 7: Enabling Learning

DFI: 7 - Enabling Learning

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

By preusing other Teachers sites I found that I gained a deeper appreciation of the visible learning idea and the rewindable learning idea. I put myself in the shoes of the learner - consequently I now have many things to add and change on my site.

• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional?

Making my planning visible and accessible to learners will give them more control over their learning pace and I am hoping that it will cater for the 'go getters' who want to fly faster than others.

• What did I learn that could be used with my learners?  

Linking to the timetable with explanations of the learning tasks will make my planning mutli use and save time with constant student questioning where if they had the link to rewind they could self manage most of the time.

• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life?

Organising my planning to be multi purpose will save time and the templates will be able to be used again.

DFI:6 Collaborate - Sites

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy?

Today I used 'google hangout' again which made me think about how to use this in the classroom for my students.

I have realised that my teaching of 'Digital Literacy' is limited by my pedagogical knowledge so the more I learn the more confidence I have to 'roll it out' to my students.

I believe that the DFI has allowed me to grow my confidence to put my learning out there and to share.

EVERY Teacher needs this INTENSIVE as a foundation for the Digital Literacy Curriculum.

• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional?

The more I learn about the google sites the more I realise that 'LEARN CREATE SHARE' is achievable on many platforms.

1) My own professional development

2) My students learning

3) Staff professional development (when I am more confident)

I have learnt to use 'google aps' that I didnt know existed which has alerted me to the fact that I do not have to reinvent... I just need to become familiar with how to use the tools.

• What did I learn that could be used with my learners?  

Google sites:

1) To provide access to learning that is rewindable

2) For students to create their own learning journey around a topic

• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life?

Being prepared by knowing how to use the google tools for learning will over time become a timesaver. Initially as I learn I am sure I will meet challenges but perseverance will win.

Working collaboratively is a fun way to share and to learn from colleagues. Thank you Allie.

DFI - Day 5 - Screencastify

• What did I learn that increased my understanding of Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy? Each day I attend the DFI I come away with a richer understanding of the Manaiakalani kaupapa and pedagogy. The fuller my picture becomes the more I can see how the tools can be applied in the classroom and across levels. I wonder if this is the first step to getting my colleagues on board and then move to the classroom pilot class facilitation?
• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow as a professional? As my understanding grows I feel more able to 'FIGHT' for our students access to technologies. I believed in the theory of the Manaiakalani approach before but now I have a belief in the 'rubber hitting the road' hands on practical advantages this will have for our students learning.
• What did I learn that could be used with my learners?  'What makes a quality blog' - I was blown away by the students blog comments. They were positive and addressed the learners directly. The language was celebratory and specific. I will teach my students how to make quality blog comments.
• What did I learn that could improve my confidence, capability or workflow in my personal life? The shortcut keys are KING. How easy is it to zap around the pages and across functions knowing the shortcut tools. I felt like I was cheating for a start but why drive when you can fly?