Letter Grades and Learning

My students started their self-assessment for Term 2 today (in the 2 French classes I teach).  I also managed to start the individual conferences with my students. During these conferences, we discussed the Prescribed Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for the term and how their knowledge, in relation to these PLOs, translate into a letter grade.  InContinue reading “Letter Grades and Learning”

David Warlick Preview

David Warlick (@dwarlick), author of blog 2 Cents Worth, is visiting our district tomorrow for the second time this year. In October, he talked to us during one of our Engaging the Digital Learner evening sessions.  His session was entitled, “Cracking the Code of 21st Century Learners”.  Indeed, something we need to do. Together. IContinue reading “David Warlick Preview”

7 Month’s of Learning Wordle

Wordle is a very interesting and fun Web 2.0 tool to use. It is great for brainstorming, demonstrating learning, and even for projects about a topic.  I have used it as a reflection tool as well. A short time after starting my blog in July, 2011, I ran the URL of my blog through WordleContinue reading “7 Month’s of Learning Wordle”

Powerful Collaboration

A couple Monday’s ago, we provided one of our Grade 1 teachers with the opportunity to visit another Grade 1 teacher in our school district. She was going to observe the teacher doing morning routines, Guided Reading, calendar, math and everything else that happens before lunch. As a result, my principal and I had theContinue reading “Powerful Collaboration”

Things to Remember for 2012

I was hoping to do more blogging over this holiday season, but, as you can see, that just didn’t happen.  With my entire family being sick, Christmas shopping and the festivities that followed, and now the planning of birthdays (my baby turns 1 tomorrow and my other two have birthdays in January), things have beenContinue reading “Things to Remember for 2012”

Study Group – Parental Engagement

Our district does a great job promoting professional development from within.  There are a number of opportunities for us as administrators (as I posted here).  I am involved in a Study Group focusing on 21st Century Learning and Engaging the Digital Learner.  We are concentrating our discussions right now on the book: Leading 21st CenturyContinue reading “Study Group – Parental Engagement”

Powerful Student Engagement

All 4 of my classes completed their 100 Minutes of Genius this week (my take on Genius Hour). It was a powerful experience for all of us. Here are some things I noticed: Students didn’t need any direction. Students knew what they wanted to learn about. Students were self-motivated and excited. From the moment theyContinue reading “Powerful Student Engagement”

Powerful Digital Discovery

This past Thursday afternoon/evening, our district hosted our first of three, Digital Discovery sessions for administrators for this school year.  I am fortunate to be one of the Digital Coaches for this series. What a night it was.  There were over 200 administrators and other district staff who actively participated in the evening. You couldContinue reading “Powerful Digital Discovery”

A Lesson in Persistence and Collaboration

One of our Grade 5 teachers tried something new a couple of weeks ago. It turned out fabulous, but not without a few hiccups.  Her class is studying the environment, so she wanted to have her class collaboratively answer a debatable question regarding farming salmon.  With the help of our Teacher-Librarian, she and another GradeContinue reading “A Lesson in Persistence and Collaboration”

My Grading Moratorium Story

At what stage of the abolish grading game are you? I am at the beginning stages of abolishing grading.  As a Vice-Principal in an inner-city elementary school Surrey, British Columbia, I spend 70% of my admin assignment teaching.  30% of this teaching assignment includes being an Intermediate Prep teacher.  Each class comes to me forContinue reading “My Grading Moratorium Story”