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Showing posts from November, 2021

Te Rito Toi - Returning to school through love and care

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  This webinar had important messages for schools that will guide us as we welcome students back. All teachers at our school have watched the webinar. We want to ensure we welcome our children back by going gently. We have permission to, and it is important that we work differently.  Professor Carol Mutch who researches the role of school in disaster and crisis settings (such as Canterbury earthquakes, the Christchurch terror attack and covid pandemic) was a on the panel as well as Professor Peter O'Connor who is one of the leads of Te Rito Toi. It was interesting to think about the fact that some families will have 'cascading trauma' - event after event (Lynn Mall Attack, West Auckland floods..) Children will return to school with different 'baggage' and need to reengage gently. We can't assume but must show awhi, aroha and inclusivity.  It's important schools acknowledge there's a lot we're trying to do and to take support offered.  From Carol...

Toolkit - Minecraft: Education Edition

 Thanks to Louise from Papakura Central who hosted this. It was good to have breakout rooms, polls and jam boards used in this toolkit too. Slides (There is another toolkit also available that Louise has done on Minecraft - Education Edition (M:EE).) We were encouraged to take some time to just get in there and have a play, cos apparently it's fun and you can't break it.  Keep in mind when using with our students, we'll be teaching to the experts - so they will be doing much teaching, talking, sharing etc. Minecraft is a great fit with learn, create, share. From the Minecraft EE site  you can join communities and the Minecraft Teacher Academy which offers training and badges! You can work towards becoming a Minecraft Certified Teacher. Louise recommends having a mouse as it is harder with a track pad apparently. This jamboard  from the toolkit shows learning topics/contexts and possible Minecraft tasks that could support learning. There are also pre 'built'?? lesson...

Toolkit - The Hikairo Schema

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 This toolkit was hosted by Erin Connolly who teaches in Greymouth. Erin shared how she uses what she has learned about the Hikairo Schema . Her school has had impactful professional learning with authors Angus and Sonja McFarlane and she has used this resource to guide her own professional learning. Erin uses he poutama - a cultural competency framework - to track and scaffold her practice. She says it is clear and easy to follow. This gives Erin a structured approach to improve cultural compentency. She shared how she looks at these with a colleague and reflects on next steps. Erin also shares her own learning goals with her students. Her current focus is huataki (see image below) and Erin talked about how she starts her lessons and includes pepeha and music to connect with her students and also ensures her online learning easy to follow and is reflective of 'us and where we are'. I thought that was an important comment prompting teachers to consider our students' learnin...