Room 21's Class Blog

We started our Ratios immersion tasks this week. We used these cool free digital unifix cubes which you can find here  https://www.didax.com/apps/unifix/ We used the cubes to make representations of our understanding of the following ratios.  I am very proud of the resilience displayed in the past 2 days of ratio, percentage and fraction explorations.  In our first group session there was a lot of " I don't even know what a ratio is ". One of the benefits of working online is that we have access to tools like Google to help us fill gaps. Ultimately, everyone shared ideas, asked questions, referred to Google and came up with unifix cube representations of these ratios; 1:3 2:6 1:4

 For writing today we shared our thoughts and experiences of this latest lockdown.  I shared my writing to model personal voice, capital letters and grouping ideas into paragraphs.  I was heartened by the resilience these students have shown during uncertain times. It was reassuring to see how students were committed to routines. There were more flexible parameters because we are stuck at home but most students stuck to daily routines around getting up at the same time everyday, brushing teeth, showers, Google Meets, breakfast. They also enjoyed the freedom of sleeping right up until the Google Meet at 9:00am, working on the couch, taking breaks when they wanted them, eating food when they felt like it, playing music while they worked. These were the small things they were grateful for. Every student was able to share something they were grateful for. Gratitude goes a long way to maintaining a healthy wellbeing.  Here are some un-named examples of today's writing. ...

To be quite honest, there seems to be very little difference between teaching online and teaching face to face. You know how kids put their hands up in class and they say... " I didn't have my hand up ".  With Google Meets, there is a digital "Raised Hand Function" So there is a hands up symbol when they put their hands up.  I told the class...   " Ha! Now you can't say you didn't put your hands up because it's right there! We can see it!"   I thought I had this covered, so when I saw the next "Raised Hand" symbol I  said...  " Yes JoBlog? "  and I got the reply... " Oh no. I was just stretching!!! "

 Here are some of the activities students in Room 21 have done

Day One Google Meet at 9am This was the week we had prepared to host other Ako Hiko Schools as part of the Internal Study Tour. We had some great examples of teaching to showcase including; Te Whanau Puawaitanga,  The Flexible Learning Environments of Rooms 11, 12 and 13,  The progress we have made on our DMIC Journey The progress we have made in our Spirals of Inquiry Journey Maker Space with our new Tinker Carts Room 21 was humming along nicely. They cope very well when their teacher is needed elsewhere. Their teacher works very hard to minimise the impact of her presence/absence - you decide! Monday was the date for my first vaccination shot - despite the claims from some of my class that I was eligible to register as a 60 years plus citizen!  I had that shot.  The Study Tour started well then... Although we had been preparing for it, I was surprised how surprised I was by it. How off guard I was caught.  No toilet paper - truly!  No groceries.  But...

Coming up with ideas for Calendar Art can be difficult. This is something that needs to reflect the students, be of a high quality and be something that is pleasing to the eye for a 12 month period.  To add student choice into the mix is just asking to over complicated the situation.  We finally settled on art that allowed us to explore line, shape and colour AND was something that look good. This art required painter's tape.  One thing we all learned from this experience is that there is a reason that some things cost more than others.  In my defence, I am sure everyone can empathise standing in the un-named yet NZ owned and operated well known hardware store, looking at 2 options. Six rolls of tape for $60ish or 3 rolls of tape for $16ish.  Big price difference and ultimately too tempting for me.  I decided to get a single blue roll for $10 and 2 packs of the 3 rolls for $32ish.  The cheaper tape ripped the paper when removed.  The more expensiv...