Inquiries for 2015

I was thinking about what my inquiry would be this year to put into Interlead.

Then I realised there was more than just one. And.... that I wanted to achieve them all.

So I wrote them all out on Google Docs, shared it in the Heights PLD folder I created and am now posting it up here too...

Alex Le Long - Inquiries for 2015

• Develop stronger understanding and use of literature circles
• Read articles, blogs and ask questions from those who do it effectively
• Develop stronger awareness and use of Google Drive with students
• Teach workshops and take PLD sessions to further develop my own knowledge
• Find courses that will help to develop these skills
• Ask for help from Google Educators and Trainers
• Invite others from our community to teach our staff
• Create breakout sessions to develop ability to individualise own learning
• Implement a strong reading programme for students
• Adapt the reading programmes used last year and allocate point system from Reading Fitness programme (Text Rating) and ensure students are bringing logs in to be checked
• Implement a strong PB4L focus in all classes
• Use ClassDojo app and in browser to continue pushing the PB4L in class and enable students to do their best work possible
• Print out ClassDojo parent slips
• Continue developing Growth Mindset programme for classes
• Go to Carol Dweck’s conference!!!!! (SAVE SAVE SAVE!!)
• Blog
• Share students successes last year. Invite past students in to talk with current classes
• Develop a strong social studies programme
• Learn how to break things down! Don’t need to teach EVERY aspect.
• Remember how to write a social sciences essay!
• Get the SocSci brain back
• Develop the ability to say NO to things that are outside of these inquiry choices
• Don’t say yes to everything.
• Be aware of opportunities that come your way and be open to them and also assess risk (to myself, to students, to school) in terms of overcommitment
• Build a stronger PLD focus for myself that is personalised around my inquiry choices
• Maintain #educamp, #ConnectedRotorua, conferences, edchats and other PLD sessions to build network and maintain connections.
• Upskill and share own knowledge with edu peers
• Be ambitious - but remember the power of the shoulder tap!!!
• Be consistent.
• Do what works and try new things too.
• Enable students to succeed and enable myself to feel successful also.
• BLOG
• My successes and also my failures. Learn from both.
• Read and comment on other peoples’ blogs
• Update and use Google Site for students
• Create a permalink for the Site for students and families to access
• Develop classroom environment so that it is a welcoming and inviting place, and also to enable students to learn effectively
• Keep class and resources tidy
• Organise class configuration according to lesson aims
• Attempt to fix and solve any classroom issues myself and ask Wini and the caretakers to help
• Ask for help for more important issues - curtains and projector (and bracket)
• Improve #EngChatNZ
• Build a team of helpers and supporters
• Promote the chat
• Build on last year’s efforts and successes!