Friday, August 15, 2008

Muritai School- What an impact!

Tuis singing in the trees, blue sky and superb powhiri... What a great start to a great experience.

We had an overview of Muritai's 'Journey' into Inquiry/ Action Learning... There was a presentation by the children who answered questions and talked about their experiences, understanding and opinions. WOW!

Noted key points
  • School Ecology/ Environment analogy...
  • Do less but better in more detail
  • Keep it simple- take small steps (for the staff and the children)
  • Lead by example- model skills, behaviour and learning (for staff and children)
Other Inquiry Points:
  • Start with a big picture then work smaller (Binoculars to microscope)
  • eX... titles of stages- excite, experience, explore, examine, explain, express, extend...???
  • Inquiry teaching at school- inquiry research... at home!!!
  • Parental understanding and expectations
  • Link to the wider world
  • Current events/ issues
  • Info-literacy skills
  • Thinking tools
  • Assessment!?
  • Curriculum coverage
  • Whole school/ syndicate- class units?
Children's Comments:
  • Start of an inquiry unit is the hardest
  • Questions a challenge
  • What direction to take...
  • Organising time and process
  • Planning work- clear expectations and success criteria needed
  • Next steps very helpful
A Blogging School?
  • What we did/ found out/ learned today?
  • Samples of work
  • Photos of activities
  • Teacher's Blog...
ACTIONS!
  • Start a whole class blog as a record of our Room 2 inquiry process/ progress for our next unit
  • Include as part of end of session plenary discussions
  • Include the planning at the start- learning intentions, outcomes, links, resources...
  • Use Voki/ Sound/ webcam movie... to enrich/ enliven
  • Regular use should encourage regular visits

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