As we head deeper into September, there’s no doubt that autumn is on its way. From Fall Fairs to cooler nights, you can’t question it. And, of course, crickets.
It’s a wonderful time to be outside though. It’s one of my favourite times of the year. When you’re inside however, check out some of these blog posts from Ontario Educators.
A Self-Reg Look At “Preparing Kids”: Is It Time To Change The Conversation?
On the Merit Centre blog, Aviva Dunsiger shares her thoughts about the concept of preparing kids for the next grade. She takes on the role of student, teacher, and parent and builds the case about the stressors that she sees with each of these groups.
It’s an interesting concept to tackle. I would suggest, though, that our school model isn’t set up to fully embrace the concept of looking ahead. After all, every grade and every subject has expectations that need to be addressed. We’re not a big continuum from K-12.
I had to smile when I looked back on an experience that I had teaching Grade 9 Mathematics. There was a small collection of students that were obvious in their lacking of skills from Grade 8. Upon further research, their elementary school had a history of being weak in Mathematics. I was advised by my department head that I needed to do some catch up work with them. So, for a few weeks, they got to dine with me in an empty classroom. It was actually kind of fun to help them fill in the gaps but I can’t imagine the increased stress that they had knowing that they were behind classmates and had to give up lunch with friends for lunch with their new friend.
I like how Aviva notes that the focus should be on the child and, while she doesn’t explicitly state it, she’s talking about differentiation or customization to help each student achieve. And that, after all, is why teachers get the big bucks.
2019-20: Persistence and Possibility
If there’s a class in the province that I’d love to audit, it’s Tim King’s. Why?
Well, just read this post. He took a couple of classes over the summer including one dealing with Cyber Operations. I’m fearful that, with the lack of direction in some districts, kids are just tap, tap, tapping on their iPads and calling it technology integration. You have but to just read the technology news to know that it’s an increasingly ugly world out there. How are you supposed to keep up? Are you preparing your students for heading out into that world?
Tim is.
I can’t help but remark what a terrific learning experience Tim’s students had with a guest from IBM coming in to work with them and the Watson AI.
Check out his entire post and ask if you’re school is providing this opportunity for your students. If not, why not?
First Week of Math: Resources to help make connections & build relationships
If I had to guess what resources that teachers of MBF3C wanted, I might have guessed:
- new textbooks
- better worksheets
- higher end technology
Not so, according to Heather Theijsmeijer.
They wanted ways to connect with the students and build a good learning relationship. My suggestions above would be anything but, I think.
To assist, in this post, Heather provides links to a number of resources from a who’s who in modern mathematics instruction, including Ontario educator Jon Orr.
Follow the links for some truly inspirational ideas. I’ll step out on a limb and indicate that, with a little customization, they could apply in other areas other than Mathematics.
Confession time here … I booked this post from Albert Fong a little too quickly. I saw the August 15 part and tucked it away for the voicEd show and this post.
What I hadn’t noticed was the year! The post was from a year ago. During our live show, Stephen Hurley made a comment that the post look familiar. I guess I thought that it was as well. But, I still like the concept as a Business educator and the Entrepreneurship shown along with the teacher Q&A of a student baking cookies.
So, yeah, it’s a year old and I’ll apologize for the timeliness (actually it’s previously made this blog here). But, I won’t apologize for the content and message. It’s still as good as ever!
beens.org has long been a destination for me to see what Peter Beens is doing in his classroom. Now, he’s registered beens.ca and is taking a new direction.
Welcome to the first of hopefully a series of “snippets” blog posts. I have to admit I’m poaching the idea from @dougpete with his “My Week Ending” series [example]. My life seems to be too hectic to publish “real” posts so let’s see if this works as an alternative.
I like the concept and it dovetails on my philosophy of learning nicely. If I learn something of value, why not share it in case it’s of value to someone else? If it isn’t, they can just ignore it.
I’ve got to believe though, that when Peter’s Solo EV arrives, it will generate a “real” post (whatever that is!)
New Beginnings, New Adventures
Paul McGuire has been busy this summer with his participation in the Climb for Kids and a couple of recent posts share his thoughts and images about the climb.
However, the latest post reveals a complete change in his life. He’s going back to school.
Not as a student though. He’s going to work at the University of Ottawa and in the Faculty of Education. That’s going to be an immense change.
This blog is about to get much busier. When life takes a radical change learning happens that really should be accompanied by reflection. Things now are so new I really don’t know enough to reflect, but I think that will change pretty quickly.
That’s great news for those of us who follow him on his blog. We’ll look forward to the things that he’s about to share.
No First Day Jitters This Year!
Things are about to change with Brenda Sherry as well. It’s not a return to books and other things for her…
She’s not headed back to a traditional school which she notes she has done for so many years. Instead, it’s education in a different direction.
- Code To Learn with Taking IT Global – looking forward to continuing the work!
- Minds on Media – Watch for some new opportunities for Ontario teachers that Peter Skillen and I are developing!
- Learning Forward Ontario – Engaged in Professional Learning in your role? Join us for Professional Learning events and resources
- Connected North and TakingITGlobal
This isn’t to say that jitters might not be coming, but from a different direction. You’ve got this, Brenda.
I wish her all the success with this very ambitious future.
Please take the time to visit these blog posts and check out the sharing from these terrific Ontario Educators.
Then, make sure that you’re following them on Twitter.
- @Self_Reg (@avivaloca)
- @tk1ng
- @HTheijsmeijer
- @albertfong
- @pbeens
- @mcguirp
- @brendasherry
This post originally appeared on:
https://dougpete.wordpress.com
If you found it anywhere else, it’s not the original.
doug -- off the record 
Please share your thoughts here. I’d enjoy reading them.