I will leave you with this happy posting tonight, before I ‘hand’ this blog in for assessment.  Smiles all ’round in year 4.  I thought it would be nice to finish with something positive.

Some exciting things have happened this week in year 4’s Genius Hour.

We have a group of students who have finished making balloons for adults with arthritis.  The students are going to sell these at our school church during the week for a gold coin and all money raised will go the Arthritis Foundation.

Another success is the development of the “Green Girls”.  A group of girls who are going to encourage students to not bring rubbish to school.  In fact, they are seeking approval from the Principal this week to remove playground bins so all students have to take their rubbish home or better still bring their lunch in containers where wrap is not needed.  Caring for our environment – beautiful.

These are lovely success stories for 9-11 year olds.  Watching these children blossom during this time once a week as been wonderful.  I would love to be part of a team that could get this program going across all year levels.

This is what Genius Hour is about:  making a difference in our world and asking ourselves “How can we be better people in it?”

Take on the challenge, I know you will be amazed also at what these future leaders can come up with.

Anita.

No more homework books going home.  ALL homework in year 4 is online this semester.

http://year4stpius.wix.com/2015

Take a look. Enjoy.

I also made a wix page for parents here is the front page.

Anita.

Here is a youtube presentation I made with powerpoint for the parents of my year 4 students as part of an information evening about why it is so important to keep current with technology in the school environment.

Technology is an Important Learning Space.

Anita.

Classrooms at times can be a bore

Kids can’t wait to get out the door

We need to change this as their teachers

And develop them into inquisitive creatures.

Growth Mindset is the way to go

Giving students the opportunity to grow

The classroom of the 80’s has past

Future Learning is now here to last.

Confucius says “to take your time”

We need to educate children in their prime

Technology is here to stay

Get used to it, it is not going away.

Compassion, fairness and respect

3 components as teachers we must expect

A love of learning is what we want

For students to feel happy and confident.

So, to all teachers out there what do you say?

Let’s all move forward in a positive way

To educate well into the future

With love, care and a computer.

Anita.

Year 4 at my school has a ‘breakout’ room, where the children in our class can sit and learn quietly or engage themselves in cooperative activities.  It is a wonderful learning space.  It seats around 6-8 students comfortably.  The other year 4 teacher and myself created / made with the help of the students “The Learning Tree”.

 

And when the windows are open slightly the leaves blow in the breeze – it is beautiful.  🙂

Anita.

It is been about 12 weeks since I started this PLN.  I personally feel I have come along way.  Not just as a blogger, but as an educator.  My first post was the 3rd of August.  Since then I have studied different learning spaces, opened the curriculum with a different mindset, taken into the classroom a variety of web 2.0 tools, started “Genius Hour” where students get to flourish in their desired area and introduced the idea of “Growth Mindset”.  This alone has taken on a very positive change within the classroom.  Children are no longer frightened to have a go, they are not so concerned about failing, as they realise that is how we learn.

As I continue now on my learning journey I will leave you with a quote from Confucius  “It doesn’t matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop”.

Anita.

Children here, in the western world have so much at their disposal and like one has said, so many take it for granted without a thought in the world to others around them.

This is where Google Cardboard comes in.  I think it is important that privileged children see how others live, to realise how lucky they are is not a bad thing.  One thing I believe these children in camps have that western children don’t is resilience.  Personally, I see children over the years becoming less and less resilient.  What is going on?  I ask myself.  Are these children being ‘babied’ too much?  Are parents getting too involved in their child’s learning of social skills and getting them out of trouble?

What I do know is that these children in these camps have far more resilience and tolerance than any western child I know.  Perhaps it is their life experience that has made them that way.

https://www.google.com/get/cardboard/

Anita.

This unit has been one of continuous learning and challenges.  The 5 top learning experiences/lessons for me have been:

1.  Time Management.  Without this my family, work, friends and university workload would not have survived.  I take on each semester as a 12 week challenge, (shame there is no weight loss – wrong sort of challenge).  Keeping this timeframe in mind helps me to be organised and well managed.

2.  Learning is Continuous.  With an open mind (Growth Mindset) we can achieve and take ourselves anywhere.  Don’t be afraid to go with your desires and be the best person you can be.  🙂

3.  Keeping up-to-date with Technology.  This unit has really pushed me to look at new tools and applications on my PC.  It has truly been of benefit to the students within my classroom.  I have and they have learnt so many new skills this semester.  Everyone is smiling.

4.  Learning Spaces aren’t just physical.  They are a mindset too.  As humans, we can learn anywhere we are placed.  Clearly some spaces are nicer than others, some liminal, some fixed, some on the move….but it is about who we are that makes us a learner.

5.  Me.  Personally, I have achieved so much this semester.  I believe that I have grown as an educator and have provided my students with new ways of thinking and learning.  I think I’m even engaged at times in “intelligent” conversations???

Thank you Adam for opening my mind a little more.

Anita.

Here is a simple youtube clip to explain to you what Fixed and Growth Mindset are.

Enjoy.  Hopefully you are starting to see yourself as more ‘growth’ than ‘fixed’.  I believe all of us completing this course are ‘growth’ or have become it along the way.  It is now our job as educators to instil this into our students so they too can achieve with success.

Anita.