Video Games for Participation and Engagement.

Through the years there has been increase in conversations and transitions towards inclusion and the engagement of all students into activities and classes. You would think that the easiest core subject area to include all students and have everyone participate would be Physical Education. (commonly called gym)

This is however far from reality. Every teacher knows that student participation is dependent on many factors including the student and on the activity. Teachers know that motivating students to participate can sometimes be very tedious especially when you factor in being changed for the activity. Finally,  when you ask them why they are not participating often you will hear that either they don’t like the activity, that they are bored or that they do not want to play with Jimmy for some reason.

I have found this to a significant reality this year with my grade two/three class that I teach. Trying to make physical education fun and engaging was becoming a bit of a chore, however. Recently, I took a risk and the out come and payoff was spectacular. One of my grade two students asked if we, meaning the class could play “Just Dance”. I informed the student that we did not have an X-Box or a Wii in the school. The student told me that I was just to look up a song under “Just Dance” on YouTube.

I followed the directions I was given, thinking I am going to have to think of another activity quickly to transition too, as the boys and a couple of girls  in the class would not participate. Thank fully I was wrong, here is what I saw.

 

As I continue to learn about teaching physed to little ones I must ask,  what do you do, how do you keep students participating and active.

 

Its not about doing more, Its about doing differently.

At the beginning of the school year the staff at Seba Beach School implemented a Numeracy program to better meet the needs of students as well as provide some interventions when necessary. I was fortunate to share a group with one of the other staff working with two groups. The first is a grade 8-9 group and the other is a grade 6-7 group, both with very different needs and abilities.

As I have worked with the groups we progressed through what would be classified as traditional methods of doing math, but as I worked at remembering some of the skills and techniques that I was helping my students with, I found myself becoming more embedded in my role as learner.  I researched different methods and techniques and found that my sense and understanding of numbers has increased. Also learning some of the techniques and tricks, as my students call them has caused a shift in the relationships I have with my students. As we learn together, the students are observing that adults are still capable and willing to learn. That learning is not only something that occurs when you are in school between the ages of 4 and 18.

I now look forward to my numeracy blocks with my students, not that I can impart knowledge, but that we can learn together to figure out how numbers, patterns and the relationships of numbers work. The only thing that I have found that is odd is how much time I spend on it. I would have never thought that I would be up till 11:00 pm playing on my Ipad learning different approaches to math.

If you have a technique or strategy that you would like to share please feel free to, I look forward to learning them.

Entering Year Three

As the summer comes to an end once again, I like many teachers are looking at the upcoming school year with anticipation and possibilities. I am entering my third year of being a school administrator. I can honestly say that it has been a challenge. I have learned many of the unknowns that Principals do and I have a significant amount to still learn. Over the past two years I have been faced with many elements to ensure change and growth at my school. Most recently it was the replacement of two senior teachers, but we have faced literacy issues, social and emotional issues, economic issues and student achievement issues. For the most part I have as has the school, played a reactive role in dealing with these issues however, this will be a new year with a new plan. A plan that will integrate important elements for the beginning instead of throughout the year.

Last year in response to issues that were faced by our students in regards to literacy. The teachers at Seba Beach worked diligently with colleagues at central office and other professionals to create a school literacy program for students from the grades 5-9. With significant planning and the assistance of 5 parents we at the school created a wonderful literacy program that saw gains for over 70% of our students. These improvements where across the board this improvements were in all areas such as comprehension, fluency, cause and affect and many other literacy domains.

With the great successes that we saw as a staff we have agreed to continue this program in the up coming year with the hopes to see the same gains for students and we are looking to implement a Numeracy program, school wide that will work on students skills and abilities in respect to mathematics.

Now some that may read this post would be say well obviously these are areas that we should be working on as they are the foundations of students learning, but look back into everything that teachers are doing. All of the new initiatives, the innovative ideas, the new applications of technology, the focus on 21st century skills. Sometimes as educators we need to look back not only at our own work loads but at those that we give students. We directly control, excuse the metaphor, how much is on a students plate, and if they cannot manage to eat the basics then how are we expecting them to enjoy all of the other gourmet items.

At Seba we have noticed a need to step back and take better and longer look at the two basics and therefore we will be highlighting them in our school for the next year and hopefully for years to come. Don’t get me wrong, we will still be implementing items here and there, but always ensuring that the focus is student achievement and student success.

If you have any questions about how we created or run our program please feel free to message me. 

Where I am From

I’m from where the island meets the ice, where hockey tackles rubgy from the kitchen table which is the center of the family

I am from the stove where the fragrances of the east entice the air and add spice to every decision and conversation. I am from the jasmine, saffron and the wild rose that seduce the senses and intrigue the soul.  The Hibiscus, the palm and the mango tree whose sturdy trunks and and yearly perseverance exists in everything I do and how it.

I am from the Elephant, The symbol of absolute and from the family. I am the Anna, the thumbi , the mama, the dada and the aaga. I am from the eat together, laugh together and it is never too late.Where ties are strong, secrets are deep, traditions are sacred and consequences are heavy.

I am from the old castle and from the hurricanes, where knowledge is everything and music is the beat of ones soul. I am from hard work and no expectations. I am Canadian, Fijian, Tamilian yet I am from a hybrid of the two worlds.

Where Roti, Ahlo Machari, Proygies, steak and pizza all meet on one plate.

I am Hindu, although I am not. I practice more a way of life and in that I am redneck as being stubborn and outspoken is a part of my way of life. I am of the first generation, who’s parents came with a dream and an idea. I am the outcome, successes, mistakes and reforms of that dream. I am who I am . . . I am Shawn.

This is a small activity that was given to me as part of a reflective exercise. It allows on to look back and see what I have have done both professionally and personally and has influenced those decisions. I am thankful for Ms. Stiles, from Jasper Place High School in Edmonton for introducing the idea. 

I would suggest this activity for not just teachers but for all people. Look back understand where you are from as it will tell you where you are going to be going.

 

Understanding of current pedagogy and curriculum as an Instructional Leader

An of the element and requirement of being an Instructional Leader is to understand current pedagogy and curriculum. To me this means a couple of things and when I spoke with some of my administrative colleagues I was glad in the fact that to them it also meant a variety of things.

I first thought the concept meant that I was supposed to know all of the curriculum objectives and elements that were taught through out the school year. I was relieved to know that I did not have to know it all. Whew. It did however mean to me that as the instructional leader I am responsible for ensuring that there is a common theme and thread that is followed and employed by the teachers in the school. As stated by the SEDL : this standard means that there is a:

Focus on alignment of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and standards: If student achievement is the goal
and that goal is measured by standards-based assessments, the curriculum, instruction, and assessments all
must be aligned with the standards. If there is a disconnect among these elements, student achievement will
not be evident.Alignment is an ongoing process as
standards, curriculum, and assessments cycle through
improvements.

This can be a multitude of things, but the most key element is that the pedagogy that is being used be guided by the mission of the school as well as be representative of best practice. O.K. enough with the deep educational jargon, but what does this mean, right?

This to me means that teachers are using items across the board in the delivery, implementation and assessment of student learning. Therefore if I was to speak on the area of Literacy I would expect some of the following. That all teachers were using a similar method to asses where a student is in their understanding, comprehension and fluency in readings. This could be a simple as using the Jerry Johns.

Then there are area such as  delivery in this area, I would suggest elements such as using the daily five when designing the lessons that are being covered or assignments that are being completed in relation to literacy. I would also work towards having all of my teachers being trained in using the elements of Balanced Literacy, because the program uses multiple methods of reading and writing, but also has a focus on vocabulary, how words are created, grouped and how they interact with each other.

In respect to assessment and to me being an instructional leader means, this standard mean that I know how my teachers are assessing the students in their classes.   That they are using processes and items that fit what our students need and what our mission states we are doing. Therefore, keeping in mind the schools mission, assessment would include performance based assessments, student self evaluation opportunities, how keeping differentiated practice in mind, that students could chose how they would like to present their understanding and ability. As well, that the students had a clear understanding of what was required of them and of what components they are being assessed on.

The understanding of current pedagogy and curriculum is one that is, in my opinion a hard quality to keep up on. As styles, techniques and understandings change, best practice and what works for individual students at times be overwhelming, However, I believe that this allows for another aspect of being an instructional leader to come in to play and that is to facilitate teachers to be able to connect with those that do know. I say this because, no longer are administers the keepers of knowledge, just as teachers roles have changed for students, so have administrators roles have changed.

How to educate children when media works against you.

One of the first units that I have chose to teach this year, ironically was bullying and social interactions. This unit also focuses on relationships, citizenship, understanding and respect. Regretfully, during this unit a story broke in western Canada about a peer, who chose to commit suicide. Without going into deep detail or putting my own personal opinion on they story, I will summarize it by say a student who made some bad choices, was ridiculed made fun of and bullied. This bullying followed her from school to school and place to place, as more people joined in to the MOB mentality the bullying became so bad that the child chose a path that cannot be reversed.

This was something that I discussed with the my junior high students, but no so much with my elementary students. Needless to say it was a topic that we discussed in length. However, I question if there is a point, well actually I know there is a point and purpose to educating our students. It is the hope that information, education and understanding will either prevent students in engaging in the act or will entice and convince others to speak up against it.

Recently, I really questioned as to whether my message, has the same impact as the media. Obviously, I know that answer to that is, that is depends on the students and the message, but how does one combat media’s influence. By years end I will have taught, spoken to, provided information to and influenced 33 junior high students. In respect to health class, that is one afternoon a week for the entire school year. However, the influence of media is much stronger and more wide spread then my voice. It reaches my students everyday, when ever they are able to tune in or on to it. Media is there projecting information and influencing children. Now I know the arguments that I am going to hear, I don’t expect things to change or for my opinion or view to influence media, I just expect that I can influence the students I work with and hopefully counteract some of what my students absorb from media. Here is the full reason for my annoyance.  I spoke with my seven and eight health class about what is bullying, in its rawest form what is it. We established that it was control, bullying is about control. We worked with what other crimes are about control and that condoning one crime or act is in its simplest rational condoning all of them. We listed how society would/ could make changes, how one should act if confronted or a witness to bullying. Finally we discussed some of the current consequences and thought about what some of the consequences should be.

One morning, like many other mornings, one of my junior high students stopped by before class to talk. However, this time it was to ask two questions. The first one was, “Mr. Ram, aren’t comments made that make you uncomfortable, and that degrade someone else a form of bullying” to which I answered “yes”, then inquiring if someone had said something to them. The second question was more of an issue morally and socially. The student asked “You monitor your blog and your Facebook page, and when there is something that is inappropriate or negative you take it off, why don’t other people?” this was a question I couldn’t answer, even though I realized that it was causing my student some agitation. I finally said, that some people are unable to understand the weight of their decisions and the impact their actions or non actions carry. I quickly asked why the questions and the student informed me that a local radio station had put up an article/story on their Facebook page and that people were commenting on the story and the picture, however the radio station had not done anything to remove the comments that were negative or insulting. That it could be taken as the station condoning that type of commenting. I said without knowing the entire story, I could see how this could be accurate, but that with everything there are two sides and many variables.

I told the student that I would look and see and that maybe we could discuss it next health class, they agreed and went off to class. I went to the Facebook page to see what comments my student was talking about, and in relation to what I have been telling my students and what to not accept in peoples behaviors and words, regretfully my student was correct. The comments in respect to the article were inappropriate and should have been moderated, I do understand that we have a freedom of expression, however we should be cognizant of who is hearing or listening to our expression. Am I going to phone the radio station and yell at someone for what they have done or didn’t do, what they allowed or didn’t allow, I will simply talk to my students and explain that like information on the internet, as citizens we have to know what information to accept, and when it is time to change the station. Most of all I am disappointed, that in a time when bullying is at the forefront of news papers, and with all of the work being done in schools, community organizations and in government that there is an influential medium that is marching to the sound of their own drum.

I could be totally off center with this, therefore would like the opinion of my peers if the following comments were on a students blog, efolio or school Facebook page would you not remove them and have a conversation with the poster about why its inappropriate.

;

;

But then again maybe we accept the comments from adults because they are adults and adults would never bully another adult. What do you think?

Kindergarten Celebration of Learning

This is my first of hopefully many Kindergarten Celebrations. It was . . . an amazing experience. To see all of the happy faces. To see all of the proud parents who were smiling more than the students themselves.

Overall, it was wonderful to see the improvements and growth that the kinders made. There are no other words to describe it. All I can say is thank you: to the teachers for all of their hard work, to the parents for their continued work and commitment to learning and finally to the students for doing all that is expected of them and more.

The Three R’s

Christmas break came late this school year. The last day of classes was the 23rd of December, which made everything feel extremely rushed. The last week of school felt as if I was in a hurricane, being pushed and pulled in many directions with not only things to be done at home in respect to Christmas, but also at school. Staff and students busily prepared for our Pirate Christmas concert, Food Bank and Santa’s Anonymous drive came to a close, there was our student of the month celebration, Elementary craft day as well as those meetings that were essential in respect to being an administrator. With everything complete, I was glad when the break started.  I was also anticipating a nice, small family vacation to Las Vegas after the New Year.

As always Christmas was filled with too much food, but plenty of memories and laughter. Now for the Three R’s in Vegas. I intended this year to enjoy the more relaxing elements.

Refreshment: I was able to enjoy some amazing food at some excellent restaurants, something I did not generally do when I previously visited Las Vegas. This time around I went to SPAGO’s (Wolfgang Puck) where I enjoyed some wonderful Duck and Braised Short Ribs followed by a mouth watering PBnJ Dessert to end the night. As well I enjoyed amazing meals at Raos, and Mesa.

Rejuvenate: It felt great to just hang out with my family, no time lines, no schedules, no pressing matters, with the most important decision being whether to buy something at the outlet store or where to eat next. This was also made easier by the fact that we spent more time interacting than inside the hotels and casinos.

Reflecting: You can not exactly call Las Vegas quiet, but it did allow me time to reflect on how my first year as an administrator was going, what I wanted to improve on or change in some areas and what I needed to get ready for my return to school. The latter of this was the hardest. I have found that one of the hardest things to do as a Principal is to plan my day. Although my schedule is generally open, many times my day is reactive, dealing with situations that arise from the goings on during the day and this has been, in my opinio,n one of the hardest elements to come to terms with. I suppose it will just take time.

Moving from Powerpoint to Movie Maker

It is that time of the year. The weather outside is getting nicer, the kids are becoming more and more anxious and excited about the school year ending. (So are staff) As well, it is the time of year to assess if the children have retained the information that they have covered through the year, especially in relation to the technology that we have used.

As with many of the schools in my School Division, we listen to the National Anthem as part of our morning routine, before getting the day started. Through out the year I play many versions of the song, varying in music, style and also a times play videos with the anthem, so that the kids can watch as they sing along.

Roughly around Spring break one of my little ones asked, why they always have to watch video’s made by other people, and when could they watch a video that I made. I told the students that if they waited instead of me making a video, that I would have them make their own personal video’s. So here we have it, as the year ends, I generally have more mini projects that I have the students do rather assignments to determine their learning. I believe that it allows them to not only apply thier ciricital thinking skills, but for them to use many different peices of information and person thoughts/ideas to answer questions.

Thier first year end project is to use Movie Maker and create their own video, to music using pictures that they thought related to Canada. The criteria for the assignment was that:

1. Students had to have enough pictures for the length of the song.

2. None of the songs in the video could repeat.

3. That they couldn’t stick to one theme such as animals of Canada.

The rest of the project, allowed for personal creativity – where students could transition pictures as they wanted and how quickly. So here is the some of the final pieces of work. Please feel free to comment, as I am sure the kids would love to see and hear your comments.

Also, if you have any other suggestions as to what students may use in the next school year, that would be greatly appreciate.

Spring brings new Beginnings

Like a few other members of my PLN I had the unfortunate experience of having to put down an old friend and family member over the last year. “ICE” had been with me for a little of ten years, since she was about 8 weeks old. After having to put her down, I thought deep and hard about getting another dog. Not because I didn’t want another dog, but I was unsure that I would be able to put as much of myself out there for another dog, for the fear of the pain that the loss of the first one caused. Still a year later, when I go through my house cleaning I will find reminders of “ICE” and at times it will bring tears to my eyes.

This is not to say that my family and I haven’t been looking,  we have frequented the local humane society and weekly checked out the local rescue organizations, looking for what we  may want.  We came to the conclusion that I would continue to look, but that we would go and allow the puppy to pick me. So recently when we went to look for puppies we would simply sit in the room with the dogs and allow the dogs to come to me. Obviously with puppies they are quick to come and visit, due to curiosity, but we knew that if the puppy really liked or choose us that it would stay with us despite other distractions with in the room.

We were was blessed this weekend by being picked by:

Aggie. we arrived at a local rescue meet and adopt in Edmonton. Enter the area where all the dogs and puppies where and went and sat in one of the chairs not really spending time with any dog. While we sat and filled out the adoption application, to ensure that we was on the agencies list of possible adopters. This cute little thing that was sitting under a chair with her foster mom looked up at us . As we  continued to fill out the paper work the foster parent brought her over and instantly she wanted to get into our laps. For the entire duration of the paperwork, which was quite detailed Aggie stayed with us. We were hooked, we put her name on the top of the Adoption Application and 20mins later were leaving with our new family member.

We know there will be some adjustments, not having had a puppy in the house for more than 11 years, and that there would be a lot of work ahead of us today, like making sure someone went by the house during the day to let her out. With all this in mind we are very excited and are looking forward to all the new memories and experiences as Aggie grows. I know I had originally introduced her as Boots because her paws were white, but I was reminded that I agreed to let my wife name the new pup, so world here is Aggie. She is a 3 month old Sheppard – Smooth Collie Cross.

I look forward to sharing both Aggie‘s and our learning experiences as she grows and becomes an intergral and loved family member.