Conferences

Thursday was Green Bay Primary/Intermediate's student and parent conferences. I was really excited to be a "teacher" during the conference process because I want to get to know my students' parents. The set-up was different than I have ever experienced. The students led the conferences because the focus of the time with the parents and students were not to analyze student progress, but rather to set goals for the upcoming terms. Each student had to introduce the teachers to the parents, layout the goals they want to accomplish the rest of the year, and then let the adults ask questions. It was fascinating to see how each student approached the facilitating position. Some students took it very seriously and laid out the goals and others relied on the adults to pry for information. I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting some "difficult" parents, however I felt very comfortable and confident discussing subject manner in those cases. Thursday was a very long day because I was at school until 8pm, however the conferences only lasted 10 minutes each so it was a very busy time. I think it would be useful to have longer conference times, however, when the students are organized and take ownership in their learning then the adults do not need a lot of time to discuss with oneanother.

Once conferences were over it really hit me that I am leaving so soon. Also, I realized how invested I became in the students' lives and care about them as individuals. Sometimes it is hard for me to really have these feelings when the students are all together and there is "chaos" in the classroom. It is nice to take a step back, view each student as an individual learner, and then reflect on how they are developing personally and academically. I really care about the students and it will be hard to part from them.

The Power of One

I am back from Wellington and I now feel much better than I did this past weekend. While in Wellington I had a very nasty cold, however I did push through it and was able to do some pretty fascinating things. Bre and I took a tour of the Parliament, rode the cable car, visited the national museum named Te Papa, and strolled around the city. I am really happy that I learned about New Zealand government and formed a deeper understanding of Kiwi culture. Wellington is a small yet vibrant city which I would love to visit again.

On Monday I had the opportunity to go to a professional development course with my teacher on Restorative Practice in Schools. There was a lot of review from when I learned about it with the rest of the teachers during a day-long inservice, however, I found it to be incredibly helpful. For the past eight weeks I have developed management and relationship skills using Restorative Practices and when the facilitator, Margaret Thorseborne, explained the theory, philosophy, and benefits of the practice I was able to really connect and expand on the information. I am a firm believer in making Restorative Practices part of Green Bay Primary and also in schools that I work in throughout the future. It is a different way of thinking about behavior management because the teacher is working with the student so that maximum control and support is given rather than just discipline and very low support. This means that the punitive way of control is out and a restorative approach is done through conversation and conferences. Students respect a teacher when they problem-solve and discuss behavior rather than being punished. Students take responsibility for their actions and the consequences do not take care of the problems, but rather work towards a solution. There are scripts and aids for teachers to learn the jargon and phrases that initiate the conversations with students when bad behavior occurs. I need to continually use these phrases so that I approach kids in a restorative manner and then the vocabulary will be part of my everyday speech and the students will be comfortable with what is done in bad behavior situations. My classroom teacher is really good at integrating Restorative Justice in the classroom and I continue to model my management style like she does in the classroom because it works.

My students are working yudents Movie Maker and many knew how to use it (probably better than I can). Because they are really advanced with this technology I think that the advertisements will be complete by the end of the term and look really flash (Kiwi term for fancy). Today my kids say an anti-bullying play called "The Power of One." My students knew most of the bully terms and information because of our unit, which was wonderful! My students could really connect with the play and I hope that it made a big impact on my students' desire to end the cycle of bullying.

Can't stop smiling!

I included pictures from my climb up Rangitoto. The view of Auckland from that height was so spectacular. Also, who can say that they have stood on lava? What a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

This week I have learned that because I surround myself with children it is inevitable that germs will surround me too. I have been diligent in washing my hands, but those feisty germs got a hold of me. I have a sore throat and pretty nasty cold, however, my life as a teacher continues to move forward and I am fighting through it. It is quite interesting to see how kids react when they find I have a minimal voice. This handicap taught me that whispering to get students' attention is more effective than yelling or talking over them. I hope to fight through this sickness through a lot of rest. I have two weeks to fight it off. I do not want to experience this during a 14 hour plane ride home.

The weather is changing from hot and sunny to cold, windy, and a little gloomy. Fall has arrived in Auckland. Students and teachers are now wearing many layers because it is hard to predict how warm or cold the day will be. I hear that spring is arriving back home, which makes me really excited. Soon I will be able to escape the cold weather and experience the excitement of spring in Wisconsin.

Today I had a really exciting teaching moment. Bre is teaching in a Year 3/4 classroom, which has 6,7, and 8 year-olds and we both decided that it would be wonderful for my Year 7/8 students to partner up with them. Reading is the focus of this "buddy" partnership. Bre and I paired the students up based on who we thought would collaborate well together and encourage one another socially and academically. I spoke with my class about what it means to be a role model before the students met, which really helped my Intermediate students to understand the importance of proper and positive behavior. We also spoke about what this reading time should look, sound, and feel like so that they were sure to know what we expected this exciting experience to be like. Each student brought books that they were reading and shared it with their partner. Bre and I also provided a special basket of books that the partners could choose from so that they could each read to one another. I was so proud of how my older kids acted with their young reading partners! They were very encouraging and nurturing towards the Year 3/4 students. I couldn't stop smiling because the learning that was going on was so precious! I can't wait to see these new friendships grow and for their confidence in reading to improve.

This weekend Bre and I are going to the capital of New Zealand, Wellington! We are talking a brief 1 hour plane ride to the city. There are museums and governement buildings that we may check out. I am most excited to ride the cable car that goes through the city!

The Climb

Another week has begun and it is difficult to believe that I only have about 2 1/2 weeks left at Green Bay Primary. The school days fly by and I am constantly on "the go." I need to be mindful to stop and enjoy my students as well as learn as much as I can in the last couple weeks.

I am introducing the anti-bullying commercial project to my students tomorrow. I am so excited to see what ideas the students come up with. I am giving them information on requirements and criteria for success through a rubric. This should guide their focus but also allow for a lot of creativity. My goal is to have these commercials be completed before the end of the term so that the students can watch them together and then eventually show them throughout all year levels.

The staff at Green Bay Primary have professional development meetings once a week after school. The focus of a majority of the development meetings are based on a book called Clarity in the Classroom: Using Formative Assessment by Michael Absolum. The book provides key strategies and easy to use techniques for developing effective and meaningful classroom practice. The last meeting we spoke about how a teacher and student both need dedicate themselves to these three things: honesty, respect, and openness. Students and teachers have to have relationships that are bound on saying what they are thinking and then making a commitment to always doing that in a constructive manner. It is quite interesting. It is my goal to have a "learning" relationship in the classroom instead of an activity, authoritarian, or caring relationship. I am learning about these classroom relationships and it is easy for me to see when I slip into one type of relationship with a student.

This past weekend Bre and I climbed Rangitoto, a volcano! It was so cool knowing that I was on something so spectacular. It was quite the workout! It has very steep inclines and it seemed like we would never get to the top, however, once we got to the top the climb seemed totally worth it. The view of Auckland was breathtaking and I really felt like I accomplished something substantial.

Another Week

Weeks fly by! It is wonderful to stop, take a step back, and reflect on what is going on in the school. Behavior continues to be a focus in room 12. At times I feel frustrated because there is so much amazing content that I want the students to learn in fun, amazing ways, however this continues to be placed on the backburner. Content can't be covered when students first need to learn how to act appropriately and my classroom teacher is focused on forming and repairing relationships this term so that learning can begin later on. I never thought that teaching kids this age would be such a challenge, however, everyday I am working on classroom management so that it is a safe learning environment.

I am really excited because I am having a police officer come into the class tomorrow to talk about the effects of bullying. Students need to see how serious bullying is and that students must choose to break the cycle of bullying. We will begin our anti-bullying commercials next week. I hope students are as excited about this as I am. I really want students to embody that they can change the bullying that is occurring at Green Bay Primary.

My teacher and I are working on creating a maths tumble which will help students take responsibility for their learning. It will include teacher instruction time, activities, practice, and games. My goal is to have students become dedicated to their learning by monitoring their progress and understanding. Having four different maths groups learning different things is difficult for me to organize and I am working towards complete control and organization. I like that students are working in small groups in their ability levels, however as a teacher I must be an organized facilitator to make it all happen.

This weekend Bre and I will be going to Rangitoto Island, which is near Auckland. We will explore the volcano and hike up it. I am really excited to that I will stand on a REAL volcano, what an experience!

Back and Ready

I am back from my adventure in Sydney, Australia. It felt so good to get another stamp in my passport! I officially feel like a world traveler. Bre and I walked around Sydney making sure that we hit most tourist sites. The highlight of my trip was going to an Australia wildlife center where we saw koalas, kangaroos, and many animals that are native to the area. We also saw the famous Opera House on our way to through the city- what a wonderful piece of architecture. Many kiwis thought it was funny that Bre and I went for a weekend trip to Sydney, but it was totally worth taking the time to do since we are so near to it.

I learned that sleep is a very important component to a good day at school. Traveling to Sydney took a lot of energy out of me, but I was at school Monday ready to be with my students. My students could tell that I was tired by how I looked, but the same amount of learning and expectations were set- I just had to work harder to be alert and energized.

Our Seymour, WI pen pals are writing back and forth with us. Some of the students are really getting excited about talking to someone in the United States. Technology makes certain things so easy, while others more complicated. It is so easy to communicate with people halfway around the world through e-mail, but sometimes technology isn't as realiable as I wish. We have had a few technological difficulties, however, we overcame them and now are officially using our tech time being pen pals.

We have a new addition to our classroom now. A student from a different room in the year 7/8 syndicate is now part of our classroom. This student has had many behavioral problems that are threatening, disruptive to other students' learning, and unacceptable. This student did not like his classroom teacher and went out of his way to make the teacher frustrated so that he would give up and let him do whatever he wanted. My teacher specializes in behavior management and has a good, trusting relationship with this student, so she has volunteered to let him into our room. We are forming an IEP for him and are monitoring his behavior very carefully. We are investing a lot of time and commitment to this student because we want him to succeed. If it does not work with him in the classroom then he will be kicked out of school. I am really interested in learning how to manage this student at risk's behavior and give him confidence so that he chooses to do acceptable behaviors. We had a classroom meeting today before the student came into the classroom so that all of our students are "on board" with helping this student. Some students were hesitant about this student because he can be violent and inhibit others' learning. I really understand why these students are concerned and I will make it a priority that all students feel safe in the classroom. Hopefully, he will latch onto the students in the class that are good role models. This will be a learning experience...

Professionalism

I am growing as a professional. Everyday at school is new and I am gradually becoming more aware that teachers are some of the most hardworking professionals. Everyday I am surrounded by teachers who dedicate their lives to children, but also to all of the paperwork, planning, conferencing, mediating, sorting, distributing, collaborating, assessing, and grading. My classroom teacher, Jo, and I have had many brief reflections about the complexity of teaching. It is so complex, and at times really overlooked by the community and other professionals. I like the time that Jo and I have just to discuss about the career field that she has been part of for ten years while I am only just entering it. We have similar opinions about the value of education and the roles that teachers play in it.

Right now I would say that my role in the school would be defined as supporter. I am supporting students who are at a really confusing point in their lives. They are changing physically and mentally (and this is the one that is the most complicated). I try to think back to the time when I was 12 years old and what I was thinking, feeling, and also acting like. It is so hard for me to do, but I must try to understand what is going on in their lives and be a compassionate supporter. I also am the students' support for learning. Learning about life is most critical for students this age, but academic knowledge will also get students very far in life. I have found that I can't teach maths, reading, writing, or any academic subject when students are not feeling supported emotionally. Jo and I are focusing on developing the students to be a whole, well-rounded, respectable individuals because that is what they need right now in their lives.

Today, Jo and I had Circle Time with the students. This is a time for the class to speak their mind in a safe area. Lately, students have been not respectful to others. Bullying and immature actions are the main concern at this time. These actions have been brought into the classroom and and have affected me. The students are not showing their full respect to me as a teacher. In circle time we spoke about how I am a teacher and they must respect me just as much as I respect them as students. It was good to talk with students instead of lecturing to students to problem solve what changes need to be make by them and myself. I am looking forward to the last couple weeks of class so our relationships can develop.

The students are working on descriptive writing. I am figuring out how it is best to have students work in leveled writing groups. I am a firm believer in students working in groups and at their own ability level, however as a new teacher I am still figuring out the best way to facilitate group learning. Everyday I try something new, adapt, and then see how it goes. Jo is really good at letting me learn through trying things out and then letting me reflect on it.

Bre and I are off to Sydney, Australia this weekend! We are really excited to visit an NEW country. I can't wait to see the Australia stamp in my passport.

Sunburn and Tsunami

This past weekend was quite interesting. Bre and I took a journey to the Bay of Plenty with the intent to hang out on the beach and enjoy our time in paradise. Well, we did find paradise at the Bay of Plenty. The beach was magnificent- probably the most beautiful places I've ever been. The New Zealand sun made our time a little more painful than we expected. Bre and I both lathered on the sunscreen, however we fell asleep on the beach and woke up looking like lobsters. We definitely learned that the New Zealand sun is enjoyable, but deadly if you don't protect yourself.

Also, while in the Bay of Plenty, I got to experience a tsunami. It sounds dangerous, but it is not as bad as it sounds. Bre and I woke up Sunday morning to tsunami warnings all along the New Zealand coasts. All the beaches were closed and people in certain areas were notified about the warnings and evacuated. We stayed calm and avoided the beach areas, but it is a little scary knowing that a tsunami may come our way. In the end, Bre and I saw no tsunami action, but did survive the small scare. No one in New Zealand died, however some ignorant surfers did think that it was a good idea to catch some tsunami waves. Not a good choice...

School is moving along. I am teaching about bullying and have taken on most of the subject areas for my students in room 12. Everyday is a new challenge. I am still continuing to learn the best classroom management style for this group of kids. My goal is to always stay positive and build on the personal relationships that I have established with each student. This is a lot of work when I have 31 students crammed in a room, but it can be done.

My students sent their first e-mail to their penpals in Seymour, WI. I am excited to get a response from the kids back in my home state.