tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59274126621957959812024-02-20T08:06:39.706-08:00Authentically Mindful in Inquiry Based LearningAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-2543702683694764462016-04-18T08:23:00.000-07:002016-04-18T08:23:21.472-07:00The Messiness of Inquiry Based Learning<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The journey into Inquiry based
learning, or IBL is never easy. There is a proverbial “leap of faith” when you
let go of traditional teaching, and IBL doesn’t happen overnight. There is a
lot of learning (for both teacher and students) and a lot of trust and modeling
for everyone involved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I taught for 3 years in Full Day
Kindergarten where play based learning is what we strive to implement each and
every day. When I moved to a primary split, I thought, “I’ll just do what I did
in K.” Well, it backfired. “Inquiry time” became “play time”, which became “seek
and destroy manipulatives and wreak havoc on the teacher” time. So, we scaled
back. I took some cues from some professional reading, and we focused our
energy a little differently. There was more focused reading, more focused
writing, and our inquiry topics were based on our Social Studies and Science
curriculums. Over time, we have gradually moved to more of an inquiry based
learning classroom where the students are learning more about their own topics
of interest. Is it perfect? Not in any way, shape or form. Are my students
learning? You bet they are. Are they better for it? I can’t answer that. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>234</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1338</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Taylored Inquiry</o:Company>
<o:Lines>11</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1569</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:"Century Gothic";
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know that they are better
questioners and seek out information with more purpose. I know that they are
collaborators who are willing to learn from each other and ask questions of
each other. I know that they are kind to each other and that they work hard
each day. So I have learned to trust in the messiness of IBL and trust in my students. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mindfully yours,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1e1e1e; font-size: 15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pam</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-59367775180668610982016-02-24T03:12:00.000-08:002016-02-24T03:12:49.959-08:00Nurturing Passion in your Practice - #Peel21stBlog Hop<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqehtarvLC_OSJlppm3_AKeAyPLzk2S6h-rzfiJ-RjYjzWK78NVKpJ-a78UZV9YQ-fWeGDHwnTeTjWpOlUKkpYsZPfiis6iczwjF2rU_1ZeTcGFWPUx9vexEmw1McwmfuO1fLaIK-zzbs/s1600/Most+Likely+To+Succeed+Poster+-+newportFILM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqehtarvLC_OSJlppm3_AKeAyPLzk2S6h-rzfiJ-RjYjzWK78NVKpJ-a78UZV9YQ-fWeGDHwnTeTjWpOlUKkpYsZPfiis6iczwjF2rU_1ZeTcGFWPUx9vexEmw1McwmfuO1fLaIK-zzbs/s320/Most+Likely+To+Succeed+Poster+-+newportFILM.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last week I was invited by a friend and colleague to screen the documentary "Most Likely To Succeed" at a local high school. There were approximately 100 people there to see the documentary, which centers on educators in a high school setting in California called "High Tech High." The educators that work there fuel the passion and the work ethic of their students in a less traditional setting to engage them in their own learning. So, I was asked.... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"How can you support students in discovering their passions in your practice?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A great question, and one that is not easily answered. To get started, you need to think mindfully about each student in your class, and get to REALLY know them as people, not just a student number. What are they passionate about? What do they excel at? What do THEY feel they are good at, and how can we fuel that flame? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once you have an idea of things that your students love to do and are passionate about, let them explore that. Just because it isn't in the curriculum doesn't mean you can't learn about it. More often than not, an aspect of their learning can be found within the pages of those hallowed documents we all love and cherish. If they love to draw, why can't they illustrate a book? If they love science, why can't they initiate experiments and bring in things from nature? If math turns their crank, why not let them teach a small group about addition or subtraction? If they can co-ordinate an outfit better than Kim Kardashian, then why not let them help with the dramatic centre to create a store or a fashion show?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The more we know our students, the more they trust us. And the more trust we have, the more we can learn from each other.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>How do you support students and their passions? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check out some other #Peel21st blogs for more ideas and thoughts:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-b5e0825f-0f13-8165-e2ca-4700700c4a44"><br /></span>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="34"></col><col width="162"></col><col width="319"></col><col width="262"></col><col width="231"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amit Mehrotra</span></div>
</td><td style="background-color: #d9d9d9; border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="mailto:amit.mehrotra@peelsb.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">amit.mehrotra@peelsb.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">@AmitMehrotra78</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tina Zita</span></div>
</td><td style="background-color: #d9d9d9; border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tina.zita@peelsb.com</span></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom: solid #000000 1px; border-left: solid #000000 1px; border-right: solid #000000 1px; border-top: solid #000000 1px; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">@tina_zita</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-36460439971006311032016-02-11T09:03:00.001-08:002016-02-11T09:03:47.925-08:00Professionally Developing an Authentic Mindset<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Saturday I had the privilege of attending "February Flurry", which is hosted at Mohawk College by ASCY Hamilton. A few friends from Peel had talked about this conference a lot last year, so I thought I would attend. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was able to attend 2 amazing PD sessions while munching on some fabulous food and re-connecting with some Twitter peeps and colleagues. Susan Stacey, author of <i>Emergent Curriculum in Early Years Settings, The Unscripted Classroom </i>and <i>Pedagogical Documentation in the Early Years </i>was my first session. She is a dynamic speaker who truly loves her work and is mindful of her students and her colleagues and how each of them learns and creates. I learned a lot from her books and even more from hearing her speak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My 2nd session was with Aviva Fudem and Simone Spiegl from Thinking in Education, or ThinkinEd for short. These ladies are amazing, vivacious and all around cool people. They are mindful of their audience and create workshops and programs that incorporate loose parts and the imagination of everyone in the room. Truly mind blowing and thought provoking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, the biggest influence of the day - the one speaker that I can't stop raving about - is Drew Dudley. I had never heard of him until Saturday morning. But I was blown away by his ideas. (<i>If you haven't heard of him, look him up on Ted Talks. Do it now. You won't be disappointed.) </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drew has been researching and developing ideas around leadership. He has devoted his professional career to being <i>authentically mindful </i>about what leaders do and how we can promote leadership in everyone. I have begun to follow his advice about writing down my core values, defining them and then working on how to recognize other people's leadership everyday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of Drew's questions, that I will leave as a little parting gift here, is this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Why do you matter?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think about this long and hard before you answer. And then make sure you do. And own it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mindfully yours,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pam</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlND976iOLoGGoRuyk6Q-EPAEscP_gdmJBW3xmIpsmm7yuMZQhhC0MUPxCtxix8a4VnrspgYip3vjGYXTM5RF23Tkxt7vSQ5rd79t9WMhxWD8X2oinzrKd1pFWMhCWRD43ENcXAXbXjo/s1600/2015-07-19+12.14.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlND976iOLoGGoRuyk6Q-EPAEscP_gdmJBW3xmIpsmm7yuMZQhhC0MUPxCtxix8a4VnrspgYip3vjGYXTM5RF23Tkxt7vSQ5rd79t9WMhxWD8X2oinzrKd1pFWMhCWRD43ENcXAXbXjo/s320/2015-07-19+12.14.52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This is why I matter. To them. </i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-37029978395561178772016-02-01T08:53:00.003-08:002016-02-01T08:53:47.484-08:00How are we mindfully helping our neediest kids?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc9RRndYLARVfT1zE4we0gAIeBgv0hpgFFiqn9etxCKXrBQI4sDcnIEJdPZlQsrgKugkXPwSSwgxZVpVqRS2KphOG2WUUCNUkUYU1weg1INdV6HWCiDAp828HYUqsV2_GEQDZyq4cSXE/s1600/12507254_907944469295605_8840477994388893885_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc9RRndYLARVfT1zE4we0gAIeBgv0hpgFFiqn9etxCKXrBQI4sDcnIEJdPZlQsrgKugkXPwSSwgxZVpVqRS2KphOG2WUUCNUkUYU1weg1INdV6HWCiDAp828HYUqsV2_GEQDZyq4cSXE/s320/12507254_907944469295605_8840477994388893885_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This image has been floating around on Facebook and Twitter over the past few weeks. I shared it with my friends, because I believe in it. I thank Alan E. Beck for saying it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs lists the following, in a triangle format, from smallest to largest needs:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Self-Actualization</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Self-Esteem Needs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love and Belonging Needs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Safety and Security Needs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Physiological Needs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Too often, we focus on the fact that the kids in our classes are struggling with the academics, and we tend to overlook the fact that many don't feel safe and secure at home. Some don't feel loved, or that they belong anywhere. And if we can't help students to find a place in our classrooms, then we need to re-think why we are in this profession. I hope it's not for the worksheets. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As educational professionals, we sometimes have to take a step back from our job and really look at the kids in our class. There will always be those that know how to push our buttons. But are they trying to make us push back, because then they feel accepted? Or do they have lagging skills and a low self-esteem? If we really are mindful of our students, and what they bring to the class every day, then the academics will come. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>How do you make Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs a priority in your classroom? </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mindfully yours,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pam</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-44612088793400921282015-12-15T17:40:00.001-08:002015-12-15T17:40:08.557-08:00December #Peel21st Blog Hop - A few of My Favourite Things<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's hard to believe that it's already December. Mother Nature is still giving us fall weather (Thanks Mother Nature!) and it feels like we haven't been at school all that long. And.... we're onto our 2nd #peel21st Blog Hop!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This month's topic is "A Few of My Favourite Things." So here, in no apparent order, are some of my favourite things.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Right now, my favourite website as a go-to on inquiry based learning is <a href="http://www.makinggoodhumans.wordpress.com/">www.makinggoodhumans.wordpress.com</a> This is a great website to answer questions on IB learning, finding out about how to build an IB classroom, or just to gain some much needed affirmation about IB learning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My favourite Tweeters are The York Region Nature Collaborative (@YRNature) and Diane Kashin (@DianeKashin1). They both give meaning to outdoor play and exploration and post great articles about bringing nature to the classroom and the classroom to nature.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My favourite professional book right now is "Black Ants and Buddhists" by Mary Cowhey. This book is about bringing critical thinking and social justice to primary classrooms. A great read with lots of real world experiences. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My favourite Pinterest Board is to follow any kind of Reggio inspired boards from educators from around the world. There are lots of great pins about ideas for the Reggio classroom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My favourite hashtag is #reggioplc. A group of like-minded educators post pics, articles and ideas using this hashtag. Another great resource!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So that's about it! Join in the #peel21st December Blog Hop to see the favourite things of other #peel21st educators! Here are just a few listed below!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table style="border-right-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-right-style: solid; border-spacing: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 1px 0px 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; table-layout: fixed; vertical-align: baseline; width: 624px;"><tbody style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heather Lye</span></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://teachinginspirations.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-favourite-things-december-bloghop.html" style="-webkit-transition: all 125ms ease-out; border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #06973b; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 125ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://teachinginspirations.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-favourite-things-december-bloghop.html</span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amit Mehrotra</span></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://mramitmehrotra.blogspot.ca/" style="-webkit-transition: all 125ms ease-out; border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #06973b; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 125ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://mramitmehrotra.blogspot.ca/</span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jason Wigmore</span></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://jwigmore.wordpress.com/2015/12/15/a-few-of-my-favourite-things/" style="-webkit-transition: all 125ms ease-out; border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #06973b; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 125ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://jwigmore.wordpress.com/2015/12/15/a-few-of-my-favourite-things/</span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jonathan So</span></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://mrsoclassroom.blogspot.com/2015/12/5-favourite-things.html" style="-webkit-transition: all 125ms ease-out; border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #06973b; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 125ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://mrsoclassroom.blogspot.com/2015/12/5-favourite-things.html</span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jim Cash</span></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://makelearn.org/2015/12/15/a-few-of-my-favourite-things/" style="-webkit-transition: all 125ms ease-out; border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #06973b; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 125ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://makelearn.org/2015/12/15/a-few-of-my-favourite-things/</span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tina Zita</span></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://misszita.wordpress.com/2015/12/16/peel21st-blog-hop-a-few-of-my-favourite-things/" style="-webkit-transition: all 125ms ease-out; border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #06973b; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 125ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://misszita.wordpress.com/2015/12/16/peel21st-blog-hop-a-few-of-my-favourite-things/</span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maggie Fay</span></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/vusno76viphg63c/My%20favourite%20things%20post%20%20for%20Peel21st.mov?dl=0" style="-webkit-transition: all 125ms ease-out; border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #06973b; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 125ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://www.dropbox.com/s/vusno76viphg63c/My%20favourite%20things%20post%20%20for%20Peel21st.mov?dl=0</span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gina Loutrianakis</span></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 6px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fp2u3s801ZLXGnGOS6h2gtYkYPDaya-b1rbFjPdnn5Y/edit" style="-webkit-transition: all 125ms ease-out; border-bottom-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #06973b; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 125ms ease-out; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fp2u3s801ZLXGnGOS6h2gtYkYPDaya-b1rbFjPdnn5Y/edit</span></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stay mindful this holiday season! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yours,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pam</span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-50971062527200031352015-11-18T07:42:00.002-08:002015-11-18T07:42:31.622-08:00#Peel21st Blog Hop - What Has Been Your Most Memorable Moment This Fall?<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My most memorable moment this fall happened yesterday - and it wasn't planned, and it wasn't something that I was expecting to happen until much later on in the school year. The day before I began a writing and reading workshop with my students about inquiry questions. We have done some open ended inquiry within the class, but this was the first time I am asking my students to do some "research". I gave them the prompts of "I want to learn about...." and "My question is...." I then helped each student to narrow his/her question down to something that was attainable and that we knew there was information on. The students got books from the school LLC and some of them have been able to ascertain some information to answer his/her question.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next day, during our Morning Meeting, the topic of snow came up. We looked at a map on my laptop of Denver and the Rocky mountains where they were in a middle of a blizzard. All of a sudden, the inquiry questions came flying at me. "Why do we have snow?" "Why do we need rain?" "Why are there seasons?" "Why is the sun hot?" "Why do we have celebrations?" (not sure how that one has to do with snow, but we take all questions!) It's like the parents of my class gave them all a copy of the science curriculum and said, "Go and ask your teacher these questions." I was blown away. With only one example to go by, they gave me 5 or 6 great inquiry questions that we can work on as a class, that are all related to the grade 1 and 2 science curriculum. It made my heart sing to realize we may have some critical questioners in my class. And that can lead to some critical thinking and some 21st century learning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And that's why I teach. For those memorable moments!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Check out these other #peel21st bloggers to find out about their memorable moments of Fall 2015!</span><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #d9d9d9; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason Richea -</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <u>http://beyondangrybirds.blogspot.ca/2015/11/best-moment.html</u></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jonathan S</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">o </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span><span style="color: #1155cc; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><a href="http://mrsoclassroom.blogspot.ca/2015/11/the-best-learning-moment-this-fall.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://mrsoclassroom.blogspot.ca/2015/11/the-best-learning-moment-this-fall.html</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amit Mehrota -</span><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <a href="http://mramitmehrotra.blogspot.ca/2015/11/peel21st-november-blog-hop-my-best.html" style="text-decoration: none; white-space: normal;">http://mramitmehrotra.blogspot.ca/2015/11/peel21st-november-blog-hop-my-best.html</a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
Tina Zita - <a href="https://misszita.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/peel21st-blog-hop-my-one-best-thing/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">https://misszita.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/peel21st-blog-hop-my-one-best-thing/</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jim Cash - </span><a href="http://makelearn.org/2015/11/17/memorable-learning-moment/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://makelearn.org/2015/11/15/memorable-learning-moment/</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Melanie Mulcaster - </span><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://valleyslearningcommons.blogspot.ca/2015/11/my-best-moments-so-far-in-2015-happen.html" style="text-decoration: none;">http://valleyslearningcommons.blogspot.ca/2015/11/my-best-moments-so-far-in-2015-happen.html</a></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Heather Lye - <a href="http://teachinginspirations.blogspot.com/2015/11/learning-moments-peel21st-blog-hop.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://teachinginspirations.blogspot.com/2015/11/learning-moments-peel21st-blog-hop.html</span></a><span style="color: #888888; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #888888; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Erica Armstrong -</span><span style="color: #888888; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://msarmstrong.ca/2015/11/17/my-most-memorable-learning-moment-of-this-fall/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://msarmstrong.ca/2015/11/17/my-most-memorable-learning-moment-of-this-fall/</span></a></span></div>
<div>
<span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-c56a7c7e-1b3d-ef2a-dc53-d8f3644e9ec4"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Matt Fletcher - <a href="https://heymrfletcher.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/peel21st-november-blog-hop-my-best-moment/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://heymrfletcher.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/peel21st-november-blog-hop-my-best-moment/</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason Wigmore - </span></span><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://jwigmore.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/peel21st-blog-hop-my-most-memorable-moment" style="text-decoration: none;">https://jwigmore.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/peel21st-blog-hop-my-most-memorable-moment</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Shivonne Lewis-Young <span style="color: #1155cc;">- </span></span></span><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://slewisyoung.wordpress.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">https://slewisyoung.wordpress.com/</a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Matthew Forestieri - </span></span><a href="http://www.matthewforestieri.com/2015/11/18/peel21st-blog-hop-most-memorable-learning-experience-this-fall/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.matthewforestieri.com/2015/11/18/peel21st-blog-hop-most-memorable-learning-experience-this-fall/</span></a></span><span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></u></span></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mindfully Yours,</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Pam</span></span></div>
</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-54114507920662576912015-11-04T08:51:00.001-08:002015-11-04T08:51:25.973-08:00Being Mindful in a Difficult Time<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To say that the world of Public Elementary school teaching has been a little zany over the last few months is an understatment. Teachers in the province of Ontario have been bashed in the media on almost a daily basis since September. Teachers have been raked over the coals by the Government, by the Ontario Public School Boards Association (OPSBA) and by parents and other Internet persona that feel that teachers are overpaid, underworked and glorified babysitters for their kids. All of this can bring a girl down. It can make one re-think their career. It can make one cry at night, knowing that you are putting it all out there, day after day, and there are few out there that appreciate your efforts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, I am going to try and stop looking at the media. I am going to think about what I feel my purpose is in the classroom - to teach. To focus on the students and their learning, because that is why I am here. I will be mindfully authentic: I will pay attention, in the present moment to the truthfulness of the students' origins, sincerity and intentions in a non-judgemental way. This is a difficult task, but one I am going to focus on during the next few months. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The transition from FDK to the grade 1/2 class has been a challenge. At first, I started with what I would do during the first few weeks of FDK - allow for open inquiry and play so the students can start to work together and so I can see their strengths. And it worked - for a while. We found an inquiry we were all interested in (restaurants) so we, as a class, had a pop-up restaurant for staff, parents and lunchroom supervisors during our lunch times and during class times. Overall, it was very successful and a lot of learning was done during this inquiry. But then we lost focus. Many of my students were using the open inquiry time to do very little. They didn't know how to inquire. They just thought they had "free time". So I have changed tactics, being mindful of what these students need to learn at this time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have started a Reading Workshop and a Writing Workshop time period where students can use that time for reading and writing about topics they are interested in. We are looking at high frequency words and different word origins during Word Study. We are having a dedicated Math lesson and </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">each day. I feel we need to have some structure and some of the basics down before we can explore some more topics in a deeper way. We will work our way back to open inquiry - but with some structure in place. And I found some of my answers in the following book. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Upon a recommendation from one of my PLN colleagues on Twitter, I purchased the book "Black Ants and Buddhists" by Mary Cowhey. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmlRNMLlDlwjXAuY2HkUmpyLt2B-ljM21mFuKOQiJNgENj66eMSDZ-GWzk51vOQZjkko_W9sPTsbaVWj44pW6t9WYGGGgPtVvjNGwBr0uyABdd0AKPIWOeizTqI6ibcISpDXIsrXgeXw/s1600/511rnG2uFBL._SX392_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmlRNMLlDlwjXAuY2HkUmpyLt2B-ljM21mFuKOQiJNgENj66eMSDZ-GWzk51vOQZjkko_W9sPTsbaVWj44pW6t9WYGGGgPtVvjNGwBr0uyABdd0AKPIWOeizTqI6ibcISpDXIsrXgeXw/s200/511rnG2uFBL._SX392_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="157" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">I was skeptical </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">about</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"> another professional resource, as I have several on the go and although there are parts that speak to me, I have never found a professional resource that has really changed my way of thinking. This book has changed the way I teach. I highly recommmend it as a great read for all teachers. It's practical, humorous and insightful without feeling like it's not attainable. It's definitely worth the money (and it's only 28.00 from Amazon!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">So that's it for now. I will keep you up to date. My apologies for the lack of posts in October, but it was way too zany. It will get better....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Mindfully yours, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;">Pam </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-75757170487662033562015-10-05T09:26:00.004-07:002015-10-05T09:26:55.380-07:00Looking for A Pot of Gold in an Unfamiliar World<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsZ2YNQvmwwx9bT7OZA14xgdZoZpcV8-uBorfjNTTc80iUGkkgMij4-m1DJKsR-QGvKO-h6l0U65SypXuOTsHG160cMmMyLrYiuduM1SaBtbguc_fezMuMufSwmpqDewTLCvnSFl3qj4/s1600/2015-07-24+19.45.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsZ2YNQvmwwx9bT7OZA14xgdZoZpcV8-uBorfjNTTc80iUGkkgMij4-m1DJKsR-QGvKO-h6l0U65SypXuOTsHG160cMmMyLrYiuduM1SaBtbguc_fezMuMufSwmpqDewTLCvnSFl3qj4/s320/2015-07-24+19.45.14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It's been a week since I turned my own world upside down. Not only did I move schools, but I went against some sage advice I received years ago from a seasoned teacher - I moved schools and I changed grades. She always told me, "Change grades in your current school or do the same grade at a new school. That way something is familiar." Well, I guess I went for the gusto.<br />
<br />
So here I am, in a 1/2 class. The upside is that I know a few of the students from last year, as they attended the school I used to be at. (It's complicated, but in a nutshell, my previous school was in a neighbourhood that had no children yet, as there were no houses built. We had to ship them in from a neighbourhood that had kids, but no school yet.) I think I've achieved rock star status though, as I am waved at and stared at from students from every grade as I walk through the halls.<br />
<br />
This is brand new territory for me. I've never taught grade 1. I've never taught grade 2. And I've never taught a split. I know - I'm crazy. But what a great opportunity to learn along with my students and to think mindfully and authentically about their learning. We are all in it together and I couldn't be happier. I'm a little frightened, but I'm also doing a lot of learning. The current pile of professional reading keeps growing and growing. Will I find my pot of gold? Will I reach the end of the rainbow and know that this rainbow leads to educational wealth and knowledge? Only time will tell.<br />
<br />
So I will continue to journey on. I will keep you abreast of what's happening in my new class and how we are fairing.<br />
<br />
Mindfully yours,<br />
PamAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-3995962036397334162015-09-23T18:14:00.000-07:002015-09-23T18:14:02.167-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px;"><i><b>Highway...to...the...Comfort Zone......</b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys5ZCEbI7JlxVWyoFQHIMOn8tMw17zR6mhxOoVGSZpfXGVoaQl2IpAOwX-mHZA6Bd-YtjJgdq1Ee8LR80VtK2b7IVjTE1efLY1Xwv6dx2wXUW3MakzKKtDfR-DJtleeNLPUj8-602erc/s1600/2015-05-23+18.25.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhys5ZCEbI7JlxVWyoFQHIMOn8tMw17zR6mhxOoVGSZpfXGVoaQl2IpAOwX-mHZA6Bd-YtjJgdq1Ee8LR80VtK2b7IVjTE1efLY1Xwv6dx2wXUW3MakzKKtDfR-DJtleeNLPUj8-602erc/s200/2015-05-23+18.25.00.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #666666; line-height: 16px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; line-height: 16px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. -Neale Donald Walsch</b></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 16px;">To quote Dinah Washington, "What a difference a day makes." And what a day it has been. The winds of change swept through my current school location and for once, I didn't back down. A critical friend (who also happens to be my husband) tells me frequently that I live in my comfort zone. I don't like to try new things very often (unless it's food). I am very happy in my own little world I have created for myself with my happy people and my happy work and my happy children and my happy life. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">A few days ago, I decided to shake things up a bit. I approached my administrator with an idea that I thought would never happen. I was sure nothing was going to change, but I would at least feel better about having explained myself. Well, my idea became reality today. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">So, my comfort zone has stretched a little today. I guess my life is going to be begin again on Monday, when I enter a new school after declaring myself excess at my present school. I will have to start anew. But you know what? I feel good about it. I feel it was the right choice to make. And for once, I can say that I am trying something new on my terms. And that feels like a mindful thing to do. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Mindfully yours,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 16px;">Pam</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-15929221309397991232015-09-20T13:57:00.000-07:002015-09-20T13:57:47.331-07:00<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><b><i>Winds of Change.....</i></b></span><br />
<br />
You can feel it in the air.... the winds of change are coming. A new school year, a new classroom, new students and you may feel like this picture - the calm before the storm.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_lo1BgQo72iY-cAfz5wZDKw49XPEqhj0UHbBQAxs8OKOKD-5lpn8IRNaMwxeHX3neZs3FGRQH_m02noZb5OfQ3kUkVW4PVsv7wwEDbxGPRFf0NLWczVZeG9ThS0em8DYo1l1uRoycT4/s1600/2015-09-20+08.06.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_lo1BgQo72iY-cAfz5wZDKw49XPEqhj0UHbBQAxs8OKOKD-5lpn8IRNaMwxeHX3neZs3FGRQH_m02noZb5OfQ3kUkVW4PVsv7wwEDbxGPRFf0NLWczVZeG9ThS0em8DYo1l1uRoycT4/s320/2015-09-20+08.06.10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(Fairlain Lake, Penetanguishene)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But then, it happens. The unexpected. The proverbial wrench in the works. And the winds of change shift and blow and nothing seems to be the same.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK05jGwa2CwoeJ8SvUiGc-aUVZ-by3wSarwX_nS8TP64RlVjgzN3ueG7RPJ_OvUZ_dn9iaq19DsWsefN0LG_AFkb5oLiCThz6ABm8zIv3alWWrBJGXDke4WXa23dXHMlZZGhQn1I4qZ0/s1600/2015-09-19+16.35.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK05jGwa2CwoeJ8SvUiGc-aUVZ-by3wSarwX_nS8TP64RlVjgzN3ueG7RPJ_OvUZ_dn9iaq19DsWsefN0LG_AFkb5oLiCThz6ABm8zIv3alWWrBJGXDke4WXa23dXHMlZZGhQn1I4qZ0/s320/2015-09-19+16.35.16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(Fairlain Lake - 12 hours earlier)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
How we handle change and stressors say a lot about who we are as professionals. Do you retreat into our favourite jammies and hide under a blanket until it passes over? Do you face it head on, your hair whipping in the wind a la Captain Dan from Forest Gump shouting at the sky, "Is that the best that you've got?? Come and get me!!!" Or are you laid back and let the chips fall as they may? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When you are mindfully in the moment, and are aware of what the winds of change can bring and the excitement they can hold, do you embrace it, or do you run? <b style="color: #3d85c6;">What can you do as a professional, to support the winds of change in your school? Or in your classroom? How can you harness the power of the wind to provide energy in the wake of chaos? </b>Keep these things in mind during a turbulent day or week in your school to see how you can be mindful and authentic to yourself and to your profession. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mindfully yours,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pam</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927412662195795981.post-12032084286406672312015-09-15T08:17:00.002-07:002015-09-15T08:17:47.636-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQrMd_InT9TccAiyMYeu4_JtYzOmfZkuICJ3s4fg9jYAznsxeEtT66VOQycKwyVhKKlPqGSwZW3zY9F7yWollwqXo_AG6gDhmn4KR-zh95v561I98rGcFopJAlVbVL8Ab_gSLeXYi5r8/s1600/IMG_6725.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQrMd_InT9TccAiyMYeu4_JtYzOmfZkuICJ3s4fg9jYAznsxeEtT66VOQycKwyVhKKlPqGSwZW3zY9F7yWollwqXo_AG6gDhmn4KR-zh95v561I98rGcFopJAlVbVL8Ab_gSLeXYi5r8/s200/IMG_6725.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So...... after many months of humming and hawing, thinking of excuses and generally avoiding this, I have decided to start writing. I'm still working on the exact purpose of this blog. There are a few different reasons that I have been thinking about, in no particular order:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1) In order to stop all of these thoughts from rolling around in my head and interfering with my dreams and sleep habits, I can write them down and have them for others to ponder as well;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2) It will keep me accountable to myself and to my profession;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3) It will help me to engage in more professional dialogue with colleagues around the province and around the globe;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4) It scares the living bejeezers out of me and I am told repeatedly that I need to step out of my comfort zone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5) My friend and colleague Tina (<a href="http://misszita.wordpress.com/">misszita.wordpress.com</a>) issued a challenge entitled "The #20hourproject" and it sounded to me like she was calling me out to try something new. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A word about the name/title of the blog - somewhere in my trolling/perusal of the Twitterverse, I came across the term "mindful authenticity". Those 2 words sparked something in me that had me thinking. So I looked up the definitions of both words:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mindful </b>- paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Authenticity</b> - truthfulness of origins, attributions, commitments, sincerity and intentions.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I put the two definitions together and came up with this:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>Mindful authenticity - Paying attention in the present moment to the truthfulness of origins, sincerity and intentions in a non-judgemental way.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This definition speaks to me and the way that I teach in my classroom. Each and every day, I want to pay attention, in the present moment, with each child, to his or her origins, sincerity and intentions in play, without judgement. Easier said than done, I know, but not a bad goal to strive towards either. Posted in my classroom is the question, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Why this learning, for this child, at this time, in this way?" </i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I try to be cognizant of this question when I interact with my students and look at ways to help them become successful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, here it is. I am not guaranteeing any mind-blowing, earth shattering knowledge. I'm just writing what's on my mind and sharing interesting things that I come across that relate to Inquiry based learning, Kindergarten, Reggio-inspired learning or things that I think are kind of neat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for checking this out!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mindfully yours, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pam</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12270294534491529820noreply@blogger.com1