Life Lesson - Shopping

www.modes4u.com

Today the girls went shopping for school things, mainly S, T was just accompanying... Have to take T to have her own shopping day. It is necessary that they not only learn about it by word but by doing and learning to use money... Its value and what each looks like and to have exchanges...

Real world expenses and experiences....

Learning Styles

In order to effectively reach our students, it is essential that we familiarize ourselves with how we learn. As you may be aware how we learn is grouped into three categories - Audi, Visual and Kinesthetic - Listening, seeing and using our hands.... 

The reality of the classroom presents us with student in each categories, with a combination of more or less of each type of learning style. As educators we must be willing to guide our learners to finding out who they are and how they best learn. This is never an easy road but an essential journey.

Courtesy: Norizia Jinelle Onchengco

Life Skill _ Making A Treat

Today the girls assisted in making ice cream and eating the battle dish, a joy I had when I too was young. Our recipe included about 7 ripe bananas, both frozen condensed and evaporated milk. The original idea combined from looking at videos posted on Youtube courtesy of Onetopchefshow, The Frugal Chef and Bodynomics.

Easy recipes to follow. No expensive tools needed. Follow the links below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aksSoUHp_Tg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KqTbPtTKlM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIKB8vlPcko

DayOff from PDW

firstgradewow.blogspot.com

A kinda break.. Today was a break from PDW but not a day free from the classroom.. Are we ever free from the classroom? Technically no, as the world is the classroom.

Today was spend teaching comprehension, mathematics and Life Skills -Bills. The topic of comprehension centered on The Boy who cried "Wolf". It was different today as I used the method of prediction and began teaching S to think. Some parts of the lesson was a bit much for her especially parts of speech, have to create a lesson plan and spend sometime on this. There is no assumption, just teaching from basics, blank slate. 

The internet was acting up today, a bit slow in the afternoon but served well to transition into Life skills with the little one. When given the time to speak, kids know and express themselves in so many wonderful ways. Today's lesson showed that. 

Math class consisted of addition and subtraction and worded problems. Nothing challenging as yet, more of revision.

Subject Development

www.amazon.com

Awesome day today in History. Had the privilege of attending History Development Workshop that was hosted by MOE, in attendance was Ms Radica Mahase, co-author of "Caribbean History for CSEC'. 

There was no dull moments. Exciting and constantly, indeed history teaching was brought alive. A showcase of possibilities for all involved. 

Met new and familiar faces. Engage in group work... Shared a laugh or two.... Just fun fun... Found new ways of approaching SBAs. A workshop worth the time and effort. Sometimes it takes guidance and positives reinforcement to really get one started. The little things.

After this meeting I am enthused to get the ball rolling, motivated to make the necessary changes to bring history alive to my students. 

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Homeschooling

Used the Edmodo to engage the students a bit more in Maths, Language Art and Vocabulary, more of an assessment exercise to have a feel for where each student is at. ..

Have not engaged in practical sewing today but had the girls watch a how to set up the sewing machine.

The Internet was Broken

www.hooksigns.com

At school today whilst attempting to engage in IT Development, the internet decided not to cooperate. Luckily for me I had already done a few of the exercises on my own so many things were not new to me. I was happy to learn and soon to put into practice the Assignment section to be able to edit students work without having to download it. Happy about that aspect.

Finished Geography Outline for Term 1 Week 1 Year 2015-1016. Thoroughly happy about that. Having Ms Jack who is an enthusiast in the field of Geography has been a great help. Now on to tackling my history, 

For the past CSEC EXAMs, of my 26 students who sat the exams, 16 pasted and 10 failed. Not a happy marker even though the percentage pass was higher than previous years at 66. Not good enough for me. My students must be place in a position to do better and that is where my job comes in.

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For Homeschooling, Have set up an edmodo account for home. It's essential that I allot schedule for the kids to be occupied with learning. Not just book but in everyday interactions and doing. The concept of life lessons is reaching home.

As part of Life Lessons - Lesson 1

Teaching the kids how to sew. My niece first sewed yesterday using my machine. Just something impromptu. However tomorrow would be S first lesson - sewing a pillow case. I would also be teaching T to do the same.

Professional Development Week

edlights.com

PDW began today for all Teachers. This was my first and I greatly enjoyed it. The opening session took place at the Pastoral Center in Edinboro. Teachers from the various Catholic Schools throughout the country were in attendance.

The session began with greeting and catching up. Later prayer and song and a presentation by Bishop. The team was RESPECT. Group work and discussion were done centering around in school and out of school related circumstances. My team dealt with rudeness of a student/young person to the elder and how the situation would be handle. Sanctions suggested were counselling, apology and community service at an elderly centre. The section ended with teachers stated one goal they wish to accomplish for the new school year related to respect.

The later part of the day was spent at school where I met with the new geography teacher who would be teaching Grade 9-11 whilst I have all Grade 7 and 8. We began our planning process which was a great 2 hrs that dealt with Grade 7. Continuation of the planning process tomorrow.

Managing Your Students

Teaching is never easy. Managing a classroom of 30 plus students at one time is a 'hair puller'. I have found that in dealing with my students that preparation and engagement is essential. Having students always engaged in their own learning has aided me tremendously.

Another important aspect of classroom management I have found is the art of learning and getting to know my students by name. Learning about their interests and respecting them as individuals who are growing and learning to find themselves.

Please enjoy the video below and I do hope it aids you in this new school year.

www.123rf.com

Without sleep last night I spent the day teaching the kids via the internet. Maths, Spelling, Reading and Language Art. A full Day. Today instead of having the entire crew together, I separated out each student which  helped a great deal especial whilst teaching the First and Second Graders. 

Tomorrow would be focused on reading. Need a break from intense learning.

The Art of Students Teaching Student Learning (Peer)

blogs.tribune.com.pk

Having my nieces teach each other has always been a successful in tool in their learning. I have often found that they retain a great deal more and learn in their own special way. They are often more patient with each other and find fun ways to get their messages across. Becoming their Ms Jane Doe .

Today's Summer Classes consisted of reading, spelling and mathematics (Grade 3 & 8) and Maths - revision of long division.

Summer School Continues

I swear on this.. I had two months vacation from teaching and I haven't had a moments rest from teaching. Summer school is in full swing and I am not about to stop.

Becoming a Teacher

www.ifp.nsw.edu.au

Time has passed so fast.. So much going on. 

First Full Term of Teaching

Started teaching last October 2014. Subject areas: History (Grade 8-11) and Geography (Grade 7 and 8). Due to my late arrival I had a lot of catching up to do and I made a great deal of errors but I learnt on the go. I must admit it was a challenging time. I felt so overwhelmed at time, at various points I was broken but I kept going and refused to give up.

I learnt many new skills and found time to enjoy interactions with my students and the staff. I am looking forward to the coming New School term.

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School is on vacation. Have spent much of the vacation working with my Fifth Formers' on their SBAs. Next week Teacher Development week starts, This would be my first.

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digitalmediadiet.com

Summer School

Started Summer School with m nieces and Aj. It was overwhelming because there was not much planning... Simply reviewing past exam papers. It all continues again tomorrow.