AND...it's off to Formosa again! This time not to lead PD sessions, but to work on all the amazing stuff we gathered at the last 2 PD sessions.
So, Cheryl and I slogged through heaps and piles of paper these last 2 days. It was much, much easier this time however! Poor Francine was home sick so we took over her lovely corner office, the one with the nice chairs, carpeted floors, huge windows, phone lines and internet connections. Ah bliss! I'm far too used to working in my classroom, with no space and no comfy chairs and 10000 interruptions!
First, we had a sit down planning session where we looked at what needed to get accomplished. Then, we dove in. Fortified by Valentine's day cake, chocolates, coffee, and left over chili, we worked long and hard.
We managed to:
-fix the rubric (yes again...I'm starting to HATE this rubric!)
-sit with Claire and moderate another SK piece of writing
-sit with Scott and moderate another 2 Grade 8 pieces of writing
-type up all the rationales the teachers gave us for each piece of writing for each grade level . If you're keeping track that's 4 rationales for each grade.
-photocopy the student work onto paper with proper heading. This often meant shrinking the work down to size, cutting it with scissors, taping into onto the proper paper and photocopying it.
-fill in mileage sheets
-fill in paperwork to be reimbursed for office supplies, prizes and pop
-fix and send out the prompts for the next writing tasks
-download pictures to the blog
-clean up poor Francine's office
And then we also managed to do all these things that are not related to the project, but that fell in Cheryl's lap because she was the Teacher in Charge, (seeing as Francine was sick!)
-re-organize the Valentine's dance so that the Gr 8's at the school were happy
- triage a variety of sick children who arrived at our office door
- do yard duty
-do bus duty
-deal with several behaviour issues
-speak to some kids about a bus issue
-fix up some supply teacher problems
-figure out creative ways to get Claire and Scott released from their classrooms so they could help us to moderate for awhile. At one point Cheryl was even teaching Scott's class, so Scott and I could wrap up some stuff.
The only thing we didn't accomplish was to PLAN FOR TEACHING OUR CLASSES when we get back to school next week! I guess we'll have to do that on the weekend!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Two days of Teacher Moderation
Well, we had a productive 2 days with our teachers, leading them through another round of Professional Development workshops. Once again the French Immersion teachers rose to the challenge.
First, on Monday we led a teacher moderation session with the Primary teachers. We began with a very intense and important discussion about how to structure the reading and writing blocks. We clarified some important issues revolving around how to complete the required paperwork. Cheryl had one of her students read aloud to the group and we did an error analysis. This was an exercise that we have been encouraged to practise every time teachers get together.
The Primary teachers had a quick 10am break and then we dove into moderating (or team marking) one writing sample. Once again, the discussion was rich and valuable. At times, it was also frustrating, especially when we decided to revise the marking rubric once again! However, no one felt the time we spent discussing the rubric was a waste.
Lunch was a yummy lasagna with garlic toast and salad (a favourite of all), then we broke up into grade level groups to moderate several pieces of writing. Again, the dialogue was valuable and we all felt listened to and respected.
Great job Primary teachers and we can't wait to see the final results on the 25th!
On Tuesday, the Junior and Intermediate teachers met. We followed essentially the same format as Monday. As always, there were wonderful questions, rich discussions and some healthy disagreements. I am always amazed by the depth of knowledge of the teachers in our Board. They truly take ownership for their learning. Great job Junior/Int teachers!
Tuesday was a tough day, for our project team. We made some mistakes, had to revise and rethink. We had to back track, re-type, and be highly flexible. This had nothing to do with the teachers in the session, and everything to do with the nature of the beast. Arghhh! I will admit to feeling highly stressed and somewhat overwhelmed. I know my team members felt the same. When you are working on a time line, with a tight budget, and huge project goals it is inevitable that some days will be better than others!
Thank you team for being positive and keeping the momentum rolling. Thank you to all the teachers who have been open to the process and have brought their genuine enthusiasm to the table every day. Our team relies on you to make our project a success.
First, on Monday we led a teacher moderation session with the Primary teachers. We began with a very intense and important discussion about how to structure the reading and writing blocks. We clarified some important issues revolving around how to complete the required paperwork. Cheryl had one of her students read aloud to the group and we did an error analysis. This was an exercise that we have been encouraged to practise every time teachers get together.
The Primary teachers had a quick 10am break and then we dove into moderating (or team marking) one writing sample. Once again, the discussion was rich and valuable. At times, it was also frustrating, especially when we decided to revise the marking rubric once again! However, no one felt the time we spent discussing the rubric was a waste.
Lunch was a yummy lasagna with garlic toast and salad (a favourite of all), then we broke up into grade level groups to moderate several pieces of writing. Again, the dialogue was valuable and we all felt listened to and respected.
Great job Primary teachers and we can't wait to see the final results on the 25th!
On Tuesday, the Junior and Intermediate teachers met. We followed essentially the same format as Monday. As always, there were wonderful questions, rich discussions and some healthy disagreements. I am always amazed by the depth of knowledge of the teachers in our Board. They truly take ownership for their learning. Great job Junior/Int teachers!
Tuesday was a tough day, for our project team. We made some mistakes, had to revise and rethink. We had to back track, re-type, and be highly flexible. This had nothing to do with the teachers in the session, and everything to do with the nature of the beast. Arghhh! I will admit to feeling highly stressed and somewhat overwhelmed. I know my team members felt the same. When you are working on a time line, with a tight budget, and huge project goals it is inevitable that some days will be better than others!
Thank you team for being positive and keeping the momentum rolling. Thank you to all the teachers who have been open to the process and have brought their genuine enthusiasm to the table every day. Our team relies on you to make our project a success.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Split personality
I had a full day today to work on both TLLP projects. I felt like I was wearing three different hats today or like I had a split personality. I had a lot to do for my own project (Mentor Texts), a tonne to accomplish for Cheryl and Francine with our group project AND I was doing all this in the staff room of my school. This meant I was in my classroom 5 or 6 times for various reasons. My supply teacher was awesome but I had some things to do that I just felt she couldn't manage...ah...the life of the perfectionist. Silly stuff, like checking up on permission forms, and marking a dictee, and giving out new "at -home" reading books to everyone.
In addition to all this I also had to plan for next week. I will be out of my class for 4 full days, while we undertake another round of Teacher Moderation and PD sessions in Formosa. I had to make lesson plans for each day. I also have a high school co-op student starting her new placement on Monday, in my class (and 2 others) . So I had to plan for her, despite the fact I'll be in Formosa.
So what exactly did I accomplish? First, I worked on the Mentor text project. I organized all the books into bins and made up lists of what each teacher was receiving. I revised my agenda for the PD session that I will be leading. I typed a prayer that we will use during the PD session. I reviewed all the materials I will need to lead the PD. I reviewed my budget (gulp!). I previewed a CD with a video of a teacher leading children in a Mentor text lesson. I had 4 cups of coffee.
Next, I worked on the group project that I have undertaken with Francine and Cheryl. This was actually kind of funny. We had agreed that I WOULDN'T drive to Formosa for a 1/2 day of planning. Formosa is far, the weather is bad and besides I can work just as well in Owen Sound. BUT this also meant that Francine, Cheryl and I "spoke" on the phone or by email MANY MANY times during the course of the afternoon. They gave me tasks to accomplish. I asked questions. They clarified. I worked on the tasks and then asked what was next. It was silly really but it worked really well. So what was I responsible for? First, finding a suitable prayer and making copies for all. Second, drawing up the agenda on chart paper. Next, photocopying sample student work. Next, readying a few necessary resources for the PD sessions. Last, purchasing highlighters and prizes for the teachers. (I didn't get this last job done yet, but I will.)
In the meantime, Cheryl and Francine were working hard in snowy Formosa. They had a long list. First, email everyone and remind them to come to the PD session. Second, photocopy a Running Record, then find a video and locate a monograph. Next, re-confirm the snacks and lunch delivery. Last, plan the rest of the PD session down to the minute details. ( This was partially done already, but we teachers like to revise and edit and re-think).
At the end of day, we all emailed eachother saying "Whew! Enjoy a glass of wine tonight and see you on Monday!"
So...on Monday we hold the first of our next round of PD sessions. 4 days in Formosa...should be a movie title!
Thanks ladies for another productive work session, even if I was working from a remote location.
In addition to all this I also had to plan for next week. I will be out of my class for 4 full days, while we undertake another round of Teacher Moderation and PD sessions in Formosa. I had to make lesson plans for each day. I also have a high school co-op student starting her new placement on Monday, in my class (and 2 others) . So I had to plan for her, despite the fact I'll be in Formosa.
So what exactly did I accomplish? First, I worked on the Mentor text project. I organized all the books into bins and made up lists of what each teacher was receiving. I revised my agenda for the PD session that I will be leading. I typed a prayer that we will use during the PD session. I reviewed all the materials I will need to lead the PD. I reviewed my budget (gulp!). I previewed a CD with a video of a teacher leading children in a Mentor text lesson. I had 4 cups of coffee.
Next, I worked on the group project that I have undertaken with Francine and Cheryl. This was actually kind of funny. We had agreed that I WOULDN'T drive to Formosa for a 1/2 day of planning. Formosa is far, the weather is bad and besides I can work just as well in Owen Sound. BUT this also meant that Francine, Cheryl and I "spoke" on the phone or by email MANY MANY times during the course of the afternoon. They gave me tasks to accomplish. I asked questions. They clarified. I worked on the tasks and then asked what was next. It was silly really but it worked really well. So what was I responsible for? First, finding a suitable prayer and making copies for all. Second, drawing up the agenda on chart paper. Next, photocopying sample student work. Next, readying a few necessary resources for the PD sessions. Last, purchasing highlighters and prizes for the teachers. (I didn't get this last job done yet, but I will.)
In the meantime, Cheryl and Francine were working hard in snowy Formosa. They had a long list. First, email everyone and remind them to come to the PD session. Second, photocopy a Running Record, then find a video and locate a monograph. Next, re-confirm the snacks and lunch delivery. Last, plan the rest of the PD session down to the minute details. ( This was partially done already, but we teachers like to revise and edit and re-think).
At the end of day, we all emailed eachother saying "Whew! Enjoy a glass of wine tonight and see you on Monday!"
So...on Monday we hold the first of our next round of PD sessions. 4 days in Formosa...should be a movie title!
Thanks ladies for another productive work session, even if I was working from a remote location.
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