Tag Archives: reflections

Post boxes – learning together

Yesterday I did a post box activity with my Yr 10 class to start our genetics topic. We spent about half the class making the letter boxes, the girls made theirs pretty and the boys made theirs with as much tape as was humanly possible. Our first use was to vote on a movie withContinue reading “Post boxes – learning together”

Playing around with dry ice

Last week was the week before senior exams. My L1 class had just finished an internal the week before, as had my L2. I felt assessmented out before assessment week had even begun. Luckily, my year 10’s have been doing good old acids and bases. A big part of how I deliver this unit isContinue reading “Playing around with dry ice”

Why don’t we talk about job applications…..??

So, I’ll put it out there. I applied for a job. Got an interview which went really well (I thought, I actually enjoyed it) but something wasn’t quite right…. I still haven’t put my finger on what. The job was in a different city and would have been a massive move for my family, whichContinue reading “Why don’t we talk about job applications…..??”

Sharepoint update – Racing ahead

Just over a week ago I briefed the curriculum directors at my school about Sharepoint Sites and the plans we have outlined to use Sharepoint for our document sharing and storage. I set up a subsite for each curriculum area and asked them to talk about it with their curriculum areas, with a focus onContinue reading “Sharepoint update – Racing ahead”

Competencies over content

I have been thinking and hearing a lot about competencies lately. Today, a cardboard box made it ‘click’ for me about what this means for my teaching and learning programs, and I am thankful I had probably been focussing a lot on competencies without even realising it. But now I have been doing more readingContinue reading “Competencies over content”

3.1 – into the depths of ‘extended practical investigations’

So, I am a little ashamed to admit that this year is the first time in my teaching career (this is my 6th year) that I have had a class complete an extended practical investigation. My first school didn’t offer it, not wanting to do it as a ‘superficial credit counting’ exercise. I agreed withContinue reading “3.1 – into the depths of ‘extended practical investigations’”

Reflections from EducampTimaru

Lately I have been feeling a bit under the weather with reports and assessments. So I thought it would be well worth the drive to Timaru for the Educamp there – especially as the lovely Anne was going to, so I could hitch a ride. If you are new to the educamp idea, they areContinue reading “Reflections from EducampTimaru”

appraisals – call me crazy, but I like them

I saw this tweet from Andrew Murray today Which has got me thinking – I normally hear ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’. I like this better though. There are some things I am good at, some things I am working on and some things I acknowledge I am rubbish at (like proof readingContinue reading “appraisals – call me crazy, but I like them”

Haves, and have nots

I had a interesting interaction this week that has got me thinking about haves and have nots when it comes to education. With up coming pay negotiations, articles like this about school donations and BYOD policies and general feeling of we (my household) are running on a tight belt, it really hit a chord withContinue reading “Haves, and have nots”