In Grade 1, students have been learning about penguins. They are doing their own research with books and online to learn all about these interesting animals. In Grade 5, students were given the choice to represent their learning using WeVideo, a poster or a Google slideshow for Social Studies and Science. The Canadian Prairies: Alberta Education is currently working towards redesigning the curriculum. Here are some resources:
Curriculum Redesign What has been happening the last four months with curriculum redesign? Vision of Inspiring Education Inspiring Education Ministerial Order Competencies for 21st Century Learning What is Genius Hour? Genius hour is student-driven, passion-based learning. Very simply, it is a time when learners are asked what they want to learn, and the teacher gets out of their way. Resources: Genius Hour Livebinder Resource Adventure Learning/ Passion Based Learning Grade 1 Example Blog on Genius Hour in Grade 6 Review on Genius Hour Global Genius Hour Project Cybraryman’s Webpage on Genius Hour Genius Hour Weekly The Global Genius Hour Project Genius Hour Wiki ConnectEd Presentation Use the hashtag #geniushour to find more resources and ongoing discussions about Genius Hour. What is Innovation Day? For those who do not know Innovation Day is the school version of FedEx Day (although they want to rename it); a day where students get to choose what they want to learn about as long as they create something to deliver. These creations are varied as can be seen by the different pictures in our video, but the one thing they all have in common is passion. Walker Elementary School Class Innovation Day Innovation Day in a Grade 3 classroom Innovation Day in Grade 4 Innovation Day in Grade 5 Innovation Day in Grade 6 Innovation Day Resource Use the hashtag #innovationday to find more resources and ongoing discussions about Innovation Day. How do we facilitate a culture of engagement through teacher research? What made a difference? "time together" "PD Days- time together" "sharing" "learning with colleagues" "time to work on things or play with something new" "flexibility to do what we need to do" "experts from PD (smart, inquiry, tech)" "adaptability" "support- grade team leaders, AISI leaders" "mentorship" How has Smart Learning impacted the learning in your classroom? "making kids accountable for paying attention and knowing information, they all have a say" "increased presentation, public speaking" "literature focus particularly in primary is more whole and related to the literature (going more in depth with the literature), those new to smart learning are finding they can go deeper with big ideas from literature" "structures for reading more independent, engaged, higher level thinking" "challenge: incorporating such things as 6+ traits, poetry, to adapt structure to certain content" "covers a variety of content, reflecting, discussing, covering a variety of outcomes" How has inquiry learning impacted the learning in your classroom? "increased student ownership and voice" "increased engagement" "some metacognition and goal setting" "self-directed learning and problem solving skills" "learning for a purpose" "hits a large amount of outcomes in one project" AISI Lead Teacher for Smart Learning works with our Grade 2 teacher in developing a Smart Learning Sequence. AISI Lead Teacher for Inquiry and our previous Grade 5 teacher works with our Grade 5 teacher in developing an inquiry project.
Final Term Reflections The arrival of spring elicits feelings of newness and beginnings, but in my professional life, the warmer weather reminds me that my time with this group of children is drawing to a close. I have been looking through photos of the year and remembering all the learning that we have shared together. I am very proud of how far each one of them has come in their learning journey. Here are my thoughts about where I have come in my own professional learning this year. INQUIRY: I have extended my own learning with Project Based Learning 101 and the Calgary Science School conference this year. Through collaborative work with my grade level team, we have been able to design a number of learning projects for our students. We have discovered that capturing students' interest with an meaningful authentic task key to increasing student engagement. SMART LEARNING: Planning and implementing sequences with my grade level team has been a meaningful experience. Using smart tools with the students such as sending powerful images, partner talk, hidden object, unaesthetic cues for connections, new ideas, wondering have increased engagement and deeper learning in my classroom community. ACTION RESEARCH: Gender Differentiation: My research on this topic (Gurian, Stevens, 2005) has informed my practice this year. I have implemented many "boy friendly strategies." For example, we use movement as often as possible within our learning day. We have non-fiction books for students to select from. We have increased light levels and allocations of personal space. A poignant example of engagement happened early in our school year. One young boy had been struggling to count past ten. One day during center time, he built a large semi-truck out of tinkertoys. As he proudly talked about his creation to me, he was able to count all 18 wheels without hesitation. I am very dedicated to continuing my learning so that I am able to create a learning environment that is supportive of both genders. Reference Gurian, M. & Stevens, K. (2005). The Minds of Boys: Saving Our sons from Falling Behind in School and Life. San Fracisco, CA: Jossey Bass. |