Student Voice

As we near the end of term 3, I decided to do a student voice survey about some things I've trialled since the middle of last term.

I decided just to use the new approaches/subjects that have been implemented I am so happy with the results! It has given me a really clear indication of what went well and what really didn't. Scratch and devices are a clear winner. My next steps are to adjust my planning for term 4 to try and include more of what keeps these kids engaged.

Over the holidays I intend to create a scratch project unit plan that I can implement in term 4 and perhaps with future classes that includes proper structure for problem solving and general scratch navigation. I will also be including more collaborative writing experience and potentially even give collaborative visual arts a go! (That might be a stretch... we'll see!)

Here is a summary responses.

Edit this form

25 responses

View all responses

Summary

What are some of the things you have enjoyed this term?

Using Devices	19	76%
Collaborative Writing	11	44%
Speeches	13	52%
Keeping Ourselves Safe	5	20%
Scratch	21	84%
Visual Arts	19	76%
Languages	6	24%
Science	16	64%
Online Reading Activities	8	32%
Other	7	28%

What about these things did you enjoy so much?

I enjoyed the collaborative writing because I thought it was really awesome and exciting to do a moment in time together also at the same time using high programmed technology. I also enjoyed using devices because it was allot easier to type and write also reading online. I enjoyed visual because I thought it was really creative and awsome!!!

everything

Visual art viven master van gogh

i want doing scratch or coding because its fun you can make games,animations,music and more whatever you want to do.

Maths because I learn so many maths to do

using the computer

I enjoyed collaborative writing because we had ideas that we could put together and make a short paragraph.I enjoyed visual art because I like to use different Technic and doing the Van Gogh picture around the school. Using the devices were cool because we could experiment and the chrome.

Science visual arts reading

they where fun and new and very interesting

Learning

Sports,because I really like sports and it is my favourite thing to do.

doing progamming :) :3

I savoured these subjects because I could barely see how vast subjects are. Especially scratch changed my whole dimension of sight that I could see special subject named 'Coding'. Furthermore, I liked learning Maori and say basic conversations with friends.

scratch, speeches I really want too do more.

I did not rely much the writing and the reading.

In speeches I enjoyed finding information because you had to look around and try to find the right link which was a hard challenge, and I like hard challenges. I enjoyed scratch because you can create your own animations, movies etc. I loved science just because the 'How does it work?' questions, they would challenge me to try find how something worked.

Scratch was very cool because you can program different types of games, music, movies and animations. Speeches was very fun because I got into the speech school finals and the other speeches were very interesting.

I liked using the Chromebook and exploring what it can collaborative writing as cool because we got to share our work with another person and work with them. Scratch was cool like the Chromebooks that I could explore more things. Visual Arts was cool because I was more into arts and loved them when I was a baby. The online reading games were fun especially the Olympics typing, Spelling bee.

Very fun and I like it.

learning and fun

Scratch because it lets us create our own. Science because we won't really know what will happen next. Using Devices because it helps us get work done faster. Collaborative Writing because we do it two times faster.

I like visual arts because I can learn cool and fun techniques and creativity. I love using devices because that teaches me how to right a lot faster and research while you are working. I like collaborative writing then we could share cool ideas and make a fun and crazy story.

What have you found challenging this term?

Using Devices	3	12%
Collaborative Writing	7	28%
Speeches	10	40%
Keeping Ourselves Safe	13	52%
Scratch	12	48%
Visual Arts	8	32%
Languages	8	32%
Science	5	20%
Online Reading Activities	6	24%
Other	3	12%

What about these things was challenging?

i want doing maths because you can learn something that you haven't done it and they can teach what you do not know.

I thought Keeping ourselves safe was challenging because of the egg challenge because I first thought protecting an egg was weird but also challenging.

I found scratch very challenging because sometimes I get stuck of what to do and sometimes don't understand what they mean. I also find keeping ourselves safe challenging because of the egg challenging.

Collaborative Writing because we had to argue a bit to decide who's idea we should use. Speeches because we have to get information ourselves, also having a competition to go in the finals. Scratch because there's so many buttons and boxes. Visual arts because I totally suck at it.

The challenging thing these year was

Like above, it was challenging to find the information to make the speech better. Also like above, it was challenging because the 'How does it work?' questions.

Very hard.

programming is hard if you don't know but it's in my blood

These coding activities were hard because you can't just learn how to code immediately. It's a long term project. It's very hard to try and get the computer to do what you want without thinking about how you're going to do it.

Visual art.

For speeches I had to research a lot about my topic and it took time and it was kind of scary that I had to present it to the class. For keeping Ourselves Safe I just couldn't stick with it because it was hard to learn about it especially the inappropriate stuff. I found Scratch hard to control and play with. Science was kind of hard because the one I did with battery it burned my hand and it hurted but science was still fun because it was one of my favorite subjects.

Scratch

most of it

for working with a buddy was hard because I would write something and my buddy would delete it

remembering my password

Keeping our safe was hard because of the egg challenge my egg crack but it was fun. Science was a bit hard the reason it was hard was that the instruction was.

scratch because I find it out it was so fun

I did not found many things challenging. I think it is due to raw concentration means focused on WALT. Even so, art was so challenging. I am not good at doing something following pretty strict rules(?).

keeping our self safe speechs

scratch was challenging because it was my first time on scratch and it is quite hard making your on thing on scratch.

Saying different things

there were new expectations

What would you like to do more of?

.Art because its fun to do and I really enjoy it

art more because I will get cool ideas when ever I do it in my own time.

Visual art because because I want to learn more Technics.

reading eggs, art, GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! scratch.

more STEPS

I would like to do more speeches because it has the challenge of finding information and the challenge of not finding just one piece of evidence, but three.

Sports and reading.

science sports scratch

PE because its enjoyable

I would like to do more of the scratch,devices,visual arts, science because they are fun

I would like to write a fantasy story in writing.

ART READING WRITING bilding

scratch.

SCRATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >:3

i want doing language because you can learn any language like mandarin Chinese or Maori.

I would like to do more of scratch because it is very challenging try to learn the different scripts and what the blocks do.

art writing maths building (like the fort) craft finding more about Google docs and chrome

Scratch tutorials because I like scratch.

Of course scratch and Chromebook activity because it would help when I get bigger. And plus I like it!!

art,science and scratch

I would like to do more collaborative writing because I thought it was really cool to have to combine ideas from what we thought of and combine the ideas.

The speeches the PE the scratch.

We have one more term left of school - What are some of the goals you would like to achieve before the end of the year?

I like my van goal art

for me to type faster and not have to use the computer to tell me that I'm wrong.

To answer question from my own words and get more into class discussions. And not talk to my friends

I would like to use more interesting words in writing. I would like to get better at vocab.

-I want to be better at fluent talking because I sometimes kind of murmur during important sentence. -I want to learn some good vocabularies.

I think for the rest of the year on my reading goal is to known my prior knowledge really well,the writing goal I want to achieve is to type quicker and more efficient, for my maths I want to know my fractions and decimals well.

finding more answers in the text and using more addjestive

move up a math group.

Learn my times table Read more at home

do khan academy at least one game

be good at maths and devices especially scratch

get gold in STEPS use my chromebook more for writing

One goal would be learning how to use java script because it is a different type of programming and it is harder than scratch. The other one would be to not try and sit next to my friends so I can get my work done quicker.

Be a scratch master expert and achieve maths.

finding more answers in the text and using more adjective

My goal will be reading and understanding.

ignore people that are annoying me listen carefully and more

i wish i can focus to my teacher and listen not to talk to my friends if someone is being mean to you or annoying you can just move spot on the mat or at the table.

I want to learn how to multiply a decimal with another decimal. For example: 2.3 * (The X sign) 7.2 I also want to increase my vocabulary by using more unique long words.

In reading I would like to finish reading my thick chapter books because I need to finish my Harry Potter The philosophers stone what room 5 is reading. And in my scratch I would like to improve of knowing more blocks

Reading more and getting my work faster.

Learning all about decimals and fractions

Get better with my devices and see more things and get faster at typing.

Number of daily responses

Collaborative Writing - Our First Try

We have been one-to-one for a little over a term now so the students are pretty engaged and confident when it comes to using their devices and Google Drive, so I thought it was time we cranked it up a notch.

Often with our writing, we do whole class planning, where I model the learning intention and we work

together to come up with the success criteria, so we're already collaborating to some extent. My goal of this session was to allow for that same discussion and experience but with their peers rather than having the lesson so teacher directed.

I thought the best was to approach this was with a 'Moment in Time' exercise. The students would share the same experience then plan and create a piece of writing together. Before we even started, I had to teach the students how to share a document in Google Drive. As I said, they know their way around pretty well so it only took a few minutes for everyone to have created, named and shared their document with their buddy.

Once everyone was ready, I handed out a few sour lollies to each student. We timed it so they ate the lollies at the same time and started writing their plans about the experience as it was happening. I couldn't believe how successful it was straight off the bat! As I walked around the class I was thrilled about how quickly they had picked it up. They were talking to each other, they were working together and coming up with some great vocabulary to describe their sour lollies.


So, naturally when it came to my next session I thought: These kids are clearly collaboration masters, I can just give them simple instructions and send them on their merry way!

Unfortunately... I was wrong.

Jonathan and Luke's writing

YES they shared their planning, but when it came to producing a single piece of work between 2 or 3 of them it just did not go to plan. I ended up with one document between the small groups and an individual piece of writing for each of them on that same document. Eeek!

Naturally, this disastrous lesson ended up being valuable for both me and the students. Collaborating in writing is an entirely different way of thinking for these guys, and for me as well. We took the time to role play what collaborative writing looks like: first with me modelling with a student, then several students opting to demonstrate their understanding. Before we knew it, we were off on the right track again.

Sharing back to the class

Just like the planning session, the students had fantastic discussions. They worked with each others strengths - all and all had a very successful outcome. When I asked the students for feedback after the sessions were complete, there was a mutual agreement that they really enjoyed the whole process. As their teacher, I definitely did too! They were mostly entirely engaged during the whole process, clearly enjoying themselves, and of course I was very happy with the final product as well.

Despite the speed bumps: Awesome. Will do many more sessions like this in the future.

#edchatnz Conference

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to the #edchatnz conference at Hobsonville Point Senior School. Myself, Renee Hogg and Sonya Van Schaijik represented Newmarket School.

When Renee and I arrived at HPSS and were immediately stunned by the sea of enthusiastic teachers that greeted us. If I'm being honest, we really had no idea what to expect. Sonya (@vanshaijik) had played a big part in the organisation of the conference and was adamant that we would find it beneficial. Both Renee and I had seen a handful of the #edchatnz conversations via twitter but not enough to really know what we were getting ourselves in to. We picked up our wonderful personalised lanyards and set off to the opening session.

After an inspiring opening talk by @missdtheteacher - the lone nut and reason we were there, where we were given an overall view of what this was all about - we knew we were in for an eye opening 2 days.

First Session: we decided to do a tour of Hobsonville Point Primary (@hobpointprimary) to see a modern learning environment in action. For Renee and I, this was our first time seeing a school like this. Though we loved the school set up, we had a lot of questions about how we could transfer our new knowledge to Newmarket School.



Morning Tea: I think both Renee and I can agree that it was the best chocolate cake we've ever eaten.

Second session: With our bellies full, and as though perfectly planned, the session we chose to attend next was a group of students from HPPS explaining how their self monitor and plan their own days. They were from year 2 to year 8, each student discussed they process they go through each day. They also talked about how the teacher monitors them and referenced specific examples of project based learning they had undertaken. Overall, a large number of our queries were answered just by listening to these students speak.

Lunch: Another winner with the food! Thanks #edchatnz caterers :)

For our final session we went to the eye-opening political debate between National, Labour and the Greens, brilliantly moderated by @claireamosnz. The focus of course bring their views on current and future education policies.

With our brains full we decided to call it a day.

Saturday:
We arrived bright and early on Saturday morning and made our way to our first session: Furware. As Newmarket School is in the process of planning and building new learning areas in the school, we were curious to see and hear about potential furniture choices and how important it actually was to improve learning and productivity.

We then saw @chasingalyx - This session was great, as it was from the perspective of a beginner teacher. Both Renee and I are early in our careers so we were able to relate to the challenges Alyx has had to overcome. Her simple yet interesting approach to how teaching should be transparent was highly beneficial.

After yet another wonderful morning tea, we headed towards @Geomouldey's presentation about creativity in the classroom: and what can I say! Yet another valuable discussion about how to stimulate and inspire students to be creative risk takers.

Overall - we arrived at the conference having no idea what to expect, and left with our minds exploding: so full of ideas to take back to our classrooms and schools, changes to make in our own practice and a clear vision of our way forward. A massive thank you to Renee - @MissRHogg for being great company, @vanshaijik for the push in the right direction, @newmarketschool for the opportunity, @HPSSchool for hosting and all who were involved in the preparation of such a great conference. Awesome!

Holidays = Resource-making-days

After an incredibly busy last few weeks of term, we are finally on holiday! and of course, I have time to update.

In our final team meeting I was able to introduce Hapara to my team, showing them a few basics such as changing student passwords and uploading mass documents to student drives. I am excited for more people to be coming on board in using the wonder that is the teacher dashboard! I have even set up a shared folder in Google Drive with my colleagues, where I am putting all the activities and resources I make or collect, in the hopes that they too will begin adding in their own. I have big dreams of a never ending resource folder full of collaboration and innovative new ideas for the classroom :)

Back in the class, being one to one is going well. In the last week of term we had our parent/teacher interviews. I was somewhat apprehensive about the questions I was going to get from parents and how on earth I was going to answer them. Luckily, I quickly came to the realisation that the parents were thrilled that their child had been given the chance to take the step towards being a fully digital classroom. I was able to share the work they have done so far, the processes we follow when completing work, as well as how easy it is for parents to now view their child's work and the feedback given to them by their teacher on a regular basis. Overall the response was fantastic, and completely solidified my belief that this is - truly - an awesome opportunity for all involved.

As mentioned in previous entries, reading and writing is pretty much up and running with only a few kinks that need smoothing over. However, I am still pondering my next steps for Maths. I have several meetings lined up over the break with people I know who are already using devices in their math programs for more than just online games or activities. I hope to have collected a range of advice and resources by the time term 3 rolls around. This means the majority of my break is going to be spent creating, collecting and researching - but I'm okay with that! In fact, I'm quite enjoying it :)

The class is well and truly up and running this week, with all students on their way to finishing their first writing piece using Google Documents. At this point, I'm still thinking where too next? How do we publish? Is there an easy way to add photos to each piece of work? At this stage it looks like the answer is no - but hey! I'm sure things will become more fluid as we go on.

This week, our main focus has been on how we edit our work and what teacher feedback looks like. I still want the students to be able to read back over their final piece of work and be able to acknowledge where they made mistakes and how they corrected them, as I feel this is an important part of the writing process. We are coming up with some systems, that include highlighting incorrect words, phrases or punctuation, and commenting on the section with the mistake we have made, then the correction. Once I am happy with this the comment can be resolved, and can be checked later on for a reminder. This may end up being too much of a lengthly process, but while the students are getting used to using Google Drive I think it's a good place to start.

When I am giving teacher feedback, I am trying to do it with the student sitting next to me so we can discuss any comments that are being made. I encourage them to respond to my comment once they have corrected or checked their work according to the feedback I have given - Here is an example.

I am appreciating their comments, especially if I am unable to be sitting with the student as it gives me a clear indication of whether or not they understand the feedback or changes I am requesting.

Week 2 has started off well! We are adjusting and will be for a while to come but that's okay with us :)

Almost a week in

We are nearly a week in!

At this stage I have only implimented one to one devices to reading and writing, and BOY is it taking a long time to set up!

We have spent the majority of our time, sorting out how we get to our computers and how we look after them when are using them and how we put them away. I have devised a system that seemed like a good idea at the time, and I suppose could end up being one. However, it has been fairly tedious to start up. I have split the class in to 4 groups and given each group a leader. I spent an afternoon training the leaders how to put away each device and charger. Most of our lessons thus far have been getting in to the habit of going up to get the devices one group at a time, getting the same laptop each time and putting it away in the same space each time.

I am hoping that eventually, this will become second nature to the children. I am crossing my fingers that all of the time we are spending on this organisation won't be for nothing!

Apart from this, we are logging in quickly and able to access our work easily. The students are picking up on typing and editing skills quickly as well, and planning/organising our work is happening much quicker than it was when it was done by hand.

From a teachers point of view, it's great! Being able to check and comment on a students work as they write or even from home has been fantastic. Hapara is a wonderful tool, which allows me to navigate the students work quickly - I definitely feel like 'big brother'!

Anyway, despite the initial set up frustrations I feel like things are going smoothly. At least for now!

Room 5 are going one to one

Today was the first day of one to one devices at in Room 5. We are the lucky class who have been selected to be the first one to one, fully Google class at Newmarket School. 

We started the day with a discussion covering how to use the devices, how to take care of them and general admin things like internet safety.

The first resources I created was a Google form. The idea behind this was to get the students initial feelings about using the devices, giving them a chance to say what they know, what they want to know and what they're worried about. I encouraged them to answer honestly, and the results were great! I have gathered a lot of useful information and some next steps for increasing their skills.

Once we had completed this I gave them a challenge. They had to find this in their google drive and follow the given instructions. It was all about basic steps within a google document such as adding a title, typing, changing the font type and size, as well as commenting on a different document. Again, this went well. I could feel the excitement as the students found new ways to do things. Everyone managed to complete the given tasks and even got a few minutes of free 'discovery' time. 

So far so good! I'm looking forward to further challenges to come.