Teacher Tools

In Maths we have been focussing on our known fact knowledge and how to use this as a strategy to solve problems. I have used the Teacher tools digital tools and transferred them onto the Explain Everything app for the ipads, using the exact wording and context given. I measured the engagement level, level of talk and ability to solve the problems by observing the learners in action. All the students were engaged and completed the tasks.

I then used the same problem but changed the wording of the problem.  The context was changed to appeal to the learners based on what I knew about them. I again measured the engagement level, level of talk and ability to solve the problem through observation. The learners were now not only engaged in the task but excited to complete the task. I also included an element of create. The tasks had to be completed in order to solve a mystery eg. which picture was the principals favourite, what ice- cream did the teacher bring to school today. The children then had to create their own problem with a mystery when the answer was correct. Other students, including the teacher then had an opportunity to solve the problem and answer the mystery.

In conclusion I now have learners asking for mystery problem solving tasks.

Data Analysis and Spiral of Inquiry

Last week we had Nadine Sorrenson at our staff meeting to talk about using the expertise within our school and starting with the end in mind.  This made me think firstly about where I wanted to go with my own inquiry and also how I am assisting the junior team, as a leader, to focus in on their own Inquiry. I therefore invited Robyn Anderson, our in school COL leader, to join us for our team meeting. We decided that our focus this term will be on:

1) Gathering the evidence 

2) Analysing the data        

3) Identify the trends         

4) Research ideas. 
     

Robyn has been invited to join us for future meetings as we work collaboratively to accelerate learning.  I have also had a closer look at Robyns Spiral of Inquiry and how she carefully analysed the data and what questions she asked. I have learnt that there is so much power in having collegial discussions and it is fantastic that we are able to tap into the expertise we have within our school. I will be using this model to analyse my own data in order to have a clear idea of who and where my learners are at in their learning and how they want to learn. 

Robyn Anderson blog  

Spiral of Inquiry

Professional development with Nadine Sorenson focussed on Teacher agency and its link to the Teacher Spiral of Inquiry.

Some thought provoking questions were asked i.e.

Do I know how to get my learners to the expectation?

Where I would like them by the end of the year.? Start (Using the Data) with the end in mind …..

Am I using the expertise within the school ? (Team meetings as well as across syndicates to help with ideas i.e collaboration.)

What tools am I using to monitor and track the learning?  

Do I have a sense of urgency? - we make a judgement early in T4.

If we stagger the learning across the terms will I achieve the results I want?

Teacher Agency   

What am I doing and what was the impact?

Did I notice, recognise, and respond.  (I notice something, I recognise it as…. My response based on learner response.)

Have I allowed for multiple opportunities to practice in differentiated ways?

So much to consider and think about. On reflection I think it is imperative to have someone who has started this journey and who has the insight to come and share with myself and the junior team. I realise that if I find this to be a daunting task, our 2 new beginning teachers will as well if not more so. I do think that I consider these things all the time because that is what we do as teachers but, writing about it and unpacking it so that others understand will definitely be new learning. The next step would be to invite Robyn Anderson to a team meeting to help us gain even more clarification and help us get started.