Hello! Well, with school in full swing I am so excited about the things that are going to be happening in the grade 9 humanities classrooms at CSS! My teaching partner and I are totally on the same wavelength, and have too many ideas to fit into one school year (as you may have seen in older posts...).
This week and next we will be introducing 3 web services to the kids.
1. Google +: the next thing in social networking sites. Students will be using Google+ to share their journal entries, Free Reading Challenge novel reviews, current event 'Sparks', Googledocs, and more. This site will be the main hub for all things humanities 9 this year.
2. Penzu: an online journal. Students will be able to write privately, and only share what they want to. Their entries will be everything from novel responses, current event responses, thoughts on topics in health and service learning, and more. The fact that they do not have to share everything is what has drawn us to this service.
3. Issuu: an online publication service. Students are able to publish their work in an interactive, online format that is available to anyone. This will really allow students to share their work with more people than just their classmates, and enable them to truly respond to each others work.
That's it for now! Stay posted for more details on how these services work out in class!
ttyl :)
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Innovation & Collaboration
Well, with day two over, and the students coming in the morning, I am as ready as I am ever going to be :)
After spending two days with my team and really beginning to understand what collaboration is at CSS, I am more encouraged than ever. The flexibility that is required is a challenge, but planning time and having grade level teams means that you are never going to be floundering by yourself. I have completely enjoyed meeting everyone that I will have the extreme privilege to work with, and know that we are going to have an amazing year!
But, with the kids coming tomorrow I am understandably nervous! I want to focus on my excitement and passion for what CSS is doing, but think I am still a little in shock that I even have this job, or moved to Calgary! So, with less than 12 hours to go until 600 students descend on CSS and the year officially begins, I need to realize my new reality and focus!
I cannot wait to begin sharing more of the teaching and learning that is going on in my classroom, and less of my personal thoughts! Please bear with me, if you are listening :)
ttyl
After spending two days with my team and really beginning to understand what collaboration is at CSS, I am more encouraged than ever. The flexibility that is required is a challenge, but planning time and having grade level teams means that you are never going to be floundering by yourself. I have completely enjoyed meeting everyone that I will have the extreme privilege to work with, and know that we are going to have an amazing year!
But, with the kids coming tomorrow I am understandably nervous! I want to focus on my excitement and passion for what CSS is doing, but think I am still a little in shock that I even have this job, or moved to Calgary! So, with less than 12 hours to go until 600 students descend on CSS and the year officially begins, I need to realize my new reality and focus!
I cannot wait to begin sharing more of the teaching and learning that is going on in my classroom, and less of my personal thoughts! Please bear with me, if you are listening :)
ttyl
Monday, August 15, 2011
More Planning Brain Waves
I know that I have taught both English and Social 9 before, but I feel like this year is going to present an unlimited number of opportunities to really engage students in authentic learning. After our staff retreat today, I truly feel like I am in the right place and am going to have a great (but also greatly challenging) year!
Here are some more ideas that I have rolling around in my brain...
Dragon's Den Performance Task
-I did this project with my 9s last year, to culminate our unit on consumerism and marketing. I am so excited that my teaching partners are interested in doing this once more, and cannot wait to see how we can jazz it up! Some thoughts we have had include: trying to get a real dragon (or some other expert) to come in and assist in judging the student's pitches; having multiple people on the panel evaluting pitches; giving students free reign to decide what they are going to bring into the den, and how they are going to try and get the dragons to invest. I think that in order to tie this somehow to the CBL "Making Sustainable Food Choices" project, I would like to challenge the students by declaring this a 'eco-friendly' edition of Dragon's Den - I cannot wait to see what they think could improve our world.
The Alice Project
-I stumbled across this project while exploring various edu-blogs, and would LOVE to adapt it to use with my 9s. I am thinking about using Nancy Farmer's "House of the Scorpion" for a full class novel study, and think that it shows definite potential for this kind of 'higher level' novel exploration. Check it out, and thank you to the creator!
Lessons That Change Writers
-This book by Nancy Atwell (one of my favourite ELA teacher researchers), she explores a variety of lessons designed to (obviously) change how our students are writing. I am really looking forward to continuing the focus that CSS is carrying over from last year on student writing, and think that this book is an awesome starting point to engage students in meaningful writing. Stay posted for more on this wavelength!
Here are some more ideas that I have rolling around in my brain...
Dragon's Den Performance Task
-I did this project with my 9s last year, to culminate our unit on consumerism and marketing. I am so excited that my teaching partners are interested in doing this once more, and cannot wait to see how we can jazz it up! Some thoughts we have had include: trying to get a real dragon (or some other expert) to come in and assist in judging the student's pitches; having multiple people on the panel evaluting pitches; giving students free reign to decide what they are going to bring into the den, and how they are going to try and get the dragons to invest. I think that in order to tie this somehow to the CBL "Making Sustainable Food Choices" project, I would like to challenge the students by declaring this a 'eco-friendly' edition of Dragon's Den - I cannot wait to see what they think could improve our world.
The Alice Project
-I stumbled across this project while exploring various edu-blogs, and would LOVE to adapt it to use with my 9s. I am thinking about using Nancy Farmer's "House of the Scorpion" for a full class novel study, and think that it shows definite potential for this kind of 'higher level' novel exploration. Check it out, and thank you to the creator!
Lessons That Change Writers
-This book by Nancy Atwell (one of my favourite ELA teacher researchers), she explores a variety of lessons designed to (obviously) change how our students are writing. I am really looking forward to continuing the focus that CSS is carrying over from last year on student writing, and think that this book is an awesome starting point to engage students in meaningful writing. Stay posted for more on this wavelength!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Planning Extravaganza
In my last post I mentioned the freight train that I saw coming towards me with the impending first day... I am pleased to report however, that this school is structured to support teachers! We all have curriculum partners who teach the same thing as us, and planning is completely collaborative. The time that teachers are given to work together during most school days is so different from my 40 minute prep period I spent solo last year. After feeling like an island, I am so excited to feel like a province, one of many!
So, what have we been up to? I must admit that we have had so many ideas it is time to get them out and sifted through... Enjoy :)
Identity Poetry Anthology
-Students will be exploring the idea of identity over 3 weeks, and demonstrating their understandings in a poetry anthology! Lessons include my "My Name" activity, available here.
-This will cover (or UNcover, as I have been informed is the preferred lingo!) primarily English Language Arts outcomes, some will come from Social Studies as students consider their national and political identities.
Your Story is My Story (SS9 SLOs: 9.1.6, 9.1.7, 9.1.8+)
-Knowledge of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the collective rights that groups have in Canada will enable students to assess, critically, legislative attempts to address emerging issues of immigration.
-Part One: students will divide into two groups (immigrants, and government officials) and hold a mock-immigration hearing. Students will research their roles and all of the neccesary requirements for both sides of the process. Groups will need to determine what considerations each of the involved parties must take in account during the immigration process - from a variety of perspectives.
-Part Two: "Canada: Your Story is My Story" Students will have the opportunity to interview actual recent immigrants to Canada in order to gain a real world understanding of the immigration process. Check out more details on this project at the Calgary Science School.
Free Reading Reviews & Recommendations
-In order to encourage free reading amongst our students, while holding them accountable, we have decided to establish a Reading wiki where students can share their novel reviews as they complete their free reading selections. Students are expected to read 5 novels, and write 5 reviews, in the first trimester. At the end of this time students can choose their best review to be submitted for marks. In order to provide students with an audience and maintain the tradition of collaborative learning communities, students will be expected to choose from their peers references and reviews. I would love to have students also be expected to comment on a couple of reviews.
Journals
-Classic, but with a twist! These Digital Journals (platform to be determined) will give students a place to engage in creative writing, reflect on their learning, sketch, write various forms, talk to the texts that they are reading, record video or audio entries, share videos and more, and - more! Rubrics are in the works.
Challenge Based Learning Project: Making Sustainable Food Choices
-How can we change the world through what and how we consume? Check out some details from the last CBL at the Calgary Science School.
That's it for this post for now. Stay tuned :)
So, what have we been up to? I must admit that we have had so many ideas it is time to get them out and sifted through... Enjoy :)
Identity Poetry Anthology
-Students will be exploring the idea of identity over 3 weeks, and demonstrating their understandings in a poetry anthology! Lessons include my "My Name" activity, available here.
-This will cover (or UNcover, as I have been informed is the preferred lingo!) primarily English Language Arts outcomes, some will come from Social Studies as students consider their national and political identities.
Your Story is My Story (SS9 SLOs: 9.1.6, 9.1.7, 9.1.8+)
-Knowledge of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the collective rights that groups have in Canada will enable students to assess, critically, legislative attempts to address emerging issues of immigration.
-Part One: students will divide into two groups (immigrants, and government officials) and hold a mock-immigration hearing. Students will research their roles and all of the neccesary requirements for both sides of the process. Groups will need to determine what considerations each of the involved parties must take in account during the immigration process - from a variety of perspectives.
-Part Two: "Canada: Your Story is My Story" Students will have the opportunity to interview actual recent immigrants to Canada in order to gain a real world understanding of the immigration process. Check out more details on this project at the Calgary Science School.
Free Reading Reviews & Recommendations
-In order to encourage free reading amongst our students, while holding them accountable, we have decided to establish a Reading wiki where students can share their novel reviews as they complete their free reading selections. Students are expected to read 5 novels, and write 5 reviews, in the first trimester. At the end of this time students can choose their best review to be submitted for marks. In order to provide students with an audience and maintain the tradition of collaborative learning communities, students will be expected to choose from their peers references and reviews. I would love to have students also be expected to comment on a couple of reviews.
Journals
-Classic, but with a twist! These Digital Journals (platform to be determined) will give students a place to engage in creative writing, reflect on their learning, sketch, write various forms, talk to the texts that they are reading, record video or audio entries, share videos and more, and - more! Rubrics are in the works.
Challenge Based Learning Project: Making Sustainable Food Choices
-How can we change the world through what and how we consume? Check out some details from the last CBL at the Calgary Science School.
That's it for this post for now. Stay tuned :)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Freight Train is Coming!!!
Well, after sending out over 70 applications I am so pleased to have found a new school community! I will be working at the Calgary Science School, and could not be more excited.
Now more than ever, I am determined to design authentic and engaging learning activities that will really challenge my gifted and highly motivated students. With classes beginning on the 17th of August, I am in full-steam-ahead planning mode!
I feel extremely fortunate to be heading into a school with a 1:1 student: laptop ratio, and know that this will open up countless doors in my classroom. So, as I plan and discover, please keep an eye on Creative Craniums! This blog will soon be shared with students, parents and colleagues alike - so I must keep it up!!!
Let's see how it goes, and wish me luck as the freight train of a first day quickly approaches!
ttyl :)
Now more than ever, I am determined to design authentic and engaging learning activities that will really challenge my gifted and highly motivated students. With classes beginning on the 17th of August, I am in full-steam-ahead planning mode!
I feel extremely fortunate to be heading into a school with a 1:1 student: laptop ratio, and know that this will open up countless doors in my classroom. So, as I plan and discover, please keep an eye on Creative Craniums! This blog will soon be shared with students, parents and colleagues alike - so I must keep it up!!!
Let's see how it goes, and wish me luck as the freight train of a first day quickly approaches!
ttyl :)
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