How do we learn? Some activities to start your year

I've been talking to teachers about the start of the year. How do we begin? Are there any "getting to know you" activities with a difference?
I thought back to my own experience. As a child, I was often frustrated because I was made to sit in a brightly lit classroom and was made to look at texts that hurt my head (have a read about Irlen). When I became a teacher I became very aware that the environment in my class did not suit all my students. I tried to create dark nooks where children could hide, have coloured paper for writing and so on. I then realised that I was catering for children who were like me but what about the rest?
As part of my learning to learn study I created a questionnaire for my students. I wanted to know what I was missing about their learning preferences. I looked at examples online and thought about what would work for me and my classroom. At first, I created a paper form but as I learned about Google Apps, I created the following:


It became my, "go to" resource, to see how my children preferred to work. What I found interesting, is that many of my Year 5 students have never thoughts about their own learning process. They had never been asked, "hey, does this sitting at a desk stuff actually work for you?"
I found that this worked really well for me most years. However, there are some years that are trickier than others and some ages respond better to this than others. Be prepared to take a step back and reevaluate. One year, my closed in caves and nooks had to become more visible, so I used mosquito nets for my "quiet, leave me alone spaces." You can always introduce these ideas again later in the year as the class has gotten to know you and your methods better.

Another quiz that I asked the children to fill out was the multiple intelligences test. I wanted to see what each child needed help with and what their strengths were. We displayed our results in the classroom, to show that we are all different and that we all have strengths and that we all have something to work on (myself included). Some of the questions were tricky for my Year 5's, so I wouldn't use it with the younger children. There are some great resources that could be used with younger children, just have a look online. I found this lesson plan developed by Eva Hoffman, a little bit easier to use. I found that more of the children in my class were able to understand the visual mind map. Once again don't be surprised if your class struggles with this activity. After all, they have spent their whole schooling life focusing on the things they can't do.
Do continue to use multiple intelligences in your regular programme. When following a particular inquiry, give the students a range of ways to present their findings. The linguists in your class can absolutely write a report if they so wish, but what about your musical students? Can they make a rap and video it? Can your visual/spatial students create a 3D model? I have also found a resource that has sorted different iPad Apps into intelligence groups. I found this useful when coming up with activities that relate to the information I collected about my students. Think about ways to use those students strengths. By using their strengths, you can help to encourage students to work in subject areas they are not confident in.
As part of our learning to learn process, we also looked at what learning looks like in our class. I used a Y chart to brainstorm what learning looks, sounds and feels like in our room. This is a great time to discuss expectations. Does learning have to look like a class full of students with their heads down? Does it sound like silence or does it sound like children excitedly sharing their ideas? Ask the children about how we can all feel valued and safe in this environment? One of my main rules was that you can not stop someone else from learning. So you if you learn by discussing a subject then do not approach a person who is quietly working on their own and clearly wants to be left to it. You will be amazed by what the children will come up with. If you challenge their thinking and question their answers.

The start of each year is a time of possibilities. The children in front of you are full excitement. Use this time to really get to know them on a personal level. But most importantly? Enjoy them!

New Year, New Kids

Recently I saw a great idea from Samantha on NZ Teachers (Primary). She posted about using bags as an introduction activity at the beginning of the year. The students put items into the bags that they then share with the class to help introduce their interests and just tell a little bit about themselves.

I thought that this was a wonderful way to get children talking about who they are, their likes, dislikes etc. I also think it is very important for teachers to bring a bag to school too. Firstly to model what kind of items would be best but also so that the students get to know the teacher too. 

The first term for me is all about getting to know my students but it is also a time for my students to learn about me. The best way to build relationships with your students is through stories. This activity is a fabulous way to bring visual starters for such stories. The items that I would place into the bag are: 

• a dog toy to represent my dog, Bonnie. Children love to hear about her and the mischief that she gets into. Photos of Bonnie in silly situations make great writing prompt for later.
• a pair of baby booties to represent my children. Once again this is a way to invite children into my life. I have a heap of photos of my daughter and with another one, on the way, there will only be more.
• a photo or maybe an old lens cap to represent my love for photography. I think it is important for children to know that we have interests outside of school. Photography is a great passion of mine and this could be a great conversation starter to get the children to share their interests and passions. 
• My last item would be a book. I love to read and it is something that I encourage all my students to do. I have a huge personal library, which I have slowly extended over the years. I always try to engage children in reading by finding out about their interests and linking those to books.

By simply sharing four items with a class I can give a huge insight to who I am, or at least, start the conversation. During this activity, I would encourage the children to ask questions. The more they know about you, the more they begin to understand and relate to you.

Thank you for the brilliant idea, Samantha. What a rich activity this is!

Communication Breakdown

This weekend I have attended a few Christmas parties with my daughter. While she was joining in the festivities I had a chat to some of the parents who have school-aged children, about school. I was surprised to hear that so many had no idea where their child should be heading. This is not the first time that I have heard parents speak in this way. Phrases, such as, "I keep being told he/she is fine," or "I don't understand these reports," and many more along these lines.
I know we are busy as teachers. We really don't have time to talk to every single parent for hours at a time, but... here's the thing. We need to! Parents don't have the access to resources that we have. They are going into this completely blind. If all we keep saying is that they're doing fine, they're doing fine, then the parent and child have nothing to aim for. Even my top reading/writing/maths group children have something to work on. Parents need to know what their child needs to work on. Keep communicating, "(insert name here) is doing well in (subject), but if you would like to help at home, here are some things you could focus on."
Each one of my groups is planned on what they are learning to do. Make sure parents can see what the group focus is that week. I always run tracking sheets while I teach so that I can note down how each child is doing while observing them during group teaching sessions. As each child has mastered a skill, I tick it off and date it. If a parent comes in at any time of the term I can refer to these and say, "(insert name here) is learning to..."
Parents are frustrated because they don't know how they can help their children at home and they aren't sure how to get the information they need. In reality, two reports a year are not enough. By the time the end of year report is in the parent's hand it is too late for them to do anything about it. This is why I believe that e-portfolios for children are a must. Parents need to access real data, in real time. If this is not an option then start a class blog for those parents who cannot come in to talk to you. Let them know that way what your class is working on.
It has been an eye-opening experience, going back to work and seeing schooling from a parent's perspective, as well as, a teacher's. I know everyone is winding down for the holidays, but if there could be a goal for you, for when you start back, then maybe it could be to open up the communication lines between home and school.
Hope everyone has a fabulous break. Teachers, recharge your batteries. Parents, enjoy the time you have with your children. I know I will :)

Winding down

It feels like I'm only getting started. I have finally gotten the routines in place, I know where and when I should be and there are only two and a bit weeks left of school. I have a good grasp on the kids, reports are done and I feel sad that we are heading towards the end of the year. I'm not ready but the children have had it. The quality of their work is dropping and their concentration is also waning. Seems a shame but they are so ready for a break. This experience has really made me appreciate the time I had with a class for a whole year. You really do need four terms to get what you want out of them.

Importance of mood

Today was brilliant! We started the day focused and motivated. The kids and I played "I Spy" before the bell and it just set a positive mood for the day. I thought about the days that I arrive a little tired because we had a bad night at home with the toddler and how much it might reflect on the overall mood of the day. Yes! There are days when on matter what you do and no matter how positive you are at the beginning of the day it seems to not matter, they are not the norm. Usually, the state of the mind of the teacher is reflected in the students. It seems like common sense when you think about it really, but it is so hard to pick up your feet when there are other things going on.
Today has proven to me that starting the day with a smile can do wonders for how your students work for the rest of the day. They were a reflection of me and they wanted to please. The writing I got out of them today was fantastic. One of my boys, who usually produces a sentence or two at writing time, wrote a whole two pages of organised recount. I was so proud of him. One of my reluctant readers today was the star of the group at sounding out tricky words. I was proud of her too. They weren't the only ones that blew me out of the water today. I danced the victory dance more than once today.
I endeavour to start tomorrow with a smile too and I implore the rest of you to do the same.

Expectations!

Once again I am forced to think about expectations. I wasn't sure what to expect from a Year 1 class when I started. Naturally, some of the work that I set was too hard and other work was too easy. I had to adjust my expectations to fit what the children were able to do. I was, however, reluctant to make the hard tasks too easy. I want to keep my expectations high. I find that at times, we lower our expectations too much. I have always believed that when adults expect more, then children rise to the challenge. Not everyone gets there the same way. They all have a slightly different way of achieving what is set, but they always end up doing better than they, themselves, expected.
In my second week in my new class, I didn't let one of the girls hand in a sentence for writing. I told her that she was capable of much more, that she was doing such a fabulous job of sounding out and that I thought she could complete her story to describe one of our class activities. She walked away, looking a little sulky, but when she returned she had completely described our class activity. On another occasion, I had a young gentleman completely change his attitude to reading. He was reluctant to start with, and would happily wait for others to read out the tricky words for him. In three short weeks, he has become my star reader!
I realise that the children were probably trying their luck with their new teacher. But imagine if I had lowered my expectations to what they were saying they could or couldn't do? What would I be getting from these children? I think by keeping my expectations high, but also praising the children for their efforts I am able to achieve much better results that I first thought. Becuase at the end of the day, all they really want to know is that they have done a good job and that we are proud of them.

Back to it!

Well, it's official! I'm back in the classroom after taking time off with my little madam. Today was my first day back at school in a class that will be shared between me and a colleague. I will be in the class from Monday until Wednesday, which seems like a perfect compromise for our little family.
I will be in a year 1 class (this is the youngest I have ever taught) and I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead. Starting at a new school is exciting because I have never taught outside of Point View. It is a strange experience not only, start at a new school, but also at a new school. There are so many routines and procedures to get my head around. My first port of call is to establish routines in my classroom. I will be doing things slightly differently to the previous teacher so the children will take some time to adjust. As always my aim is to create independent people so I would like to start putting systems in place where these children can start to take some ownership of their learning and their choices. I believe that even from a young age, children are capable of being independent, we just don't give them enough credit.
So watch this space. I will be bringing more news of my adventures this term.