One of my groups learned, the hard way, on Tuesday, to make sure we always remember to highlight and copy our text (”Control C” on a PC keyboard) before clicking on “Submit Comment”, because the computer had not logged us in properly, and we lost all our typing.
I also had a perplexing time, last week, trying to work out why our school’s logo had disappeared as our chosen “avatar”. I had changed my school email address, of course. As soon as I went back and edited the details on our older posts, the avatar came back!
Again, we are using “Circle Time” for brainstorming our ideas on each rap point. It really helps that “Circle Time” was brought in as a K-6 teaching strategy a few years ago, and the students fall back into routine for very orderly discussions. Briefly, they know they:
1. have everyone else listening when it’s their turn to talk (with a symbolic wand passed around the circle)
2. pass when they can’t think of something – (but that’s rare), and
3. never put anyone down during “Circle Time”.
This is also our first rap in which we have access to our new interactive whiteboard (IWB), and it has meant I spend a lot less time with my back to the students, or them in small groups crowded around one or two tiny monitor screens.
I hope some of the other teachers in the rap will introduce themselves and share some thoughts or their teaching strategies. There are so many ways to approach the integration of raps and ICT into pedagogy.
Thanks Ian – I have used Circle time with Year 7 classes and they love it – as you say, it really works to allow everyone a turn to share ideas – and because they know this the atmosphere becomes very focussed and not too chaotic! I am loving the responses in this rap – it’s a pleasure to read them…
I thought I might clarify how we answered Rap Point 3 (in Task 4). Although each student’s statement about their mentor looks very impressive as a complete statement, we actually built up a draft for each student from three rounds of Circle Time, a powerful talking & listening strategy.
For example, one of the 5B Besties’ comments appears as:
“Dad taught me to protect myself. He likes me to talk it out. In times of trouble he calls in an expert.”
But in the first round of Circle Time, he offered “Dad” as his mentor. In the second round, we learned that it was Dad who “taught me to protect myself” and in the final round we were informed by the student that his Dad’s suggestion for coping with difficult times was to “…talk it out” and “In times of trouble he calls in an expert.” I was merely the scribe (and “chief editor”) for the written statements.
Similarly…
“My aunty/godmother tells me how to be good and how to behave. We can be strong through our family’s support.”
In the first round of Circle Time, another student offered her “aunty/godmother” as her mentor. In the second round, we learned that it was Aunty who “tells me how to be good and how to behave” and in the final round we were informed by the student that her Aunty’s suggestion for coping with difficult times was to “… be strong through our family’s support.”
May 15th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Hi everyone!
Looking forward to rapping with you all!
Regards,
Ian McLean,
Penrith PS, NSW
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:56 am
As a casual teacher (Training TL at present) I am keen to watch this rap evolve. Already it is wonderful to read Whalan girls leave a rap response.
June 2nd, 2009 at 10:10 am
Good day, Lorraine!
Am glad you are enjoying this! I taught at Whalan PS for 7 years and I am loving their comments too!
Cheers
Lizzie
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Hi Lorraine, Lizzie and all
Glad to see you here!
One of my groups learned, the hard way, on Tuesday, to make sure we always remember to highlight and copy our text (”Control C” on a PC keyboard) before clicking on “Submit Comment”, because the computer had not logged us in properly, and we lost all our typing.
I also had a perplexing time, last week, trying to work out why our school’s logo had disappeared as our chosen “avatar”. I had changed my school email address, of course. As soon as I went back and edited the details on our older posts, the avatar came back!
Again, we are using “Circle Time” for brainstorming our ideas on each rap point. It really helps that “Circle Time” was brought in as a K-6 teaching strategy a few years ago, and the students fall back into routine for very orderly discussions. Briefly, they know they:
1. have everyone else listening when it’s their turn to talk (with a symbolic wand passed around the circle)
2. pass when they can’t think of something – (but that’s rare), and
3. never put anyone down during “Circle Time”.
This is also our first rap in which we have access to our new interactive whiteboard (IWB), and it has meant I spend a lot less time with my back to the students, or them in small groups crowded around one or two tiny monitor screens.
I hope some of the other teachers in the rap will introduce themselves and share some thoughts or their teaching strategies. There are so many ways to approach the integration of raps and ICT into pedagogy.
Regards,
Ian McLean @ Penrith PS
June 4th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Thanks Ian – I have used Circle time with Year 7 classes and they love it – as you say, it really works to allow everyone a turn to share ideas – and because they know this the atmosphere becomes very focussed and not too chaotic! I am loving the responses in this rap – it’s a pleasure to read them…
Cheers
Lizzie
June 11th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Hi all,
I thought I might clarify how we answered Rap Point 3 (in Task 4). Although each student’s statement about their mentor looks very impressive as a complete statement, we actually built up a draft for each student from three rounds of Circle Time, a powerful talking & listening strategy.
For example, one of the 5B Besties’ comments appears as:
“Dad taught me to protect myself. He likes me to talk it out. In times of trouble he calls in an expert.”
But in the first round of Circle Time, he offered “Dad” as his mentor. In the second round, we learned that it was Dad who “taught me to protect myself” and in the final round we were informed by the student that his Dad’s suggestion for coping with difficult times was to “…talk it out” and “In times of trouble he calls in an expert.” I was merely the scribe (and “chief editor”) for the written statements.
Similarly…
“My aunty/godmother tells me how to be good and how to behave. We can be strong through our family’s support.”
In the first round of Circle Time, another student offered her “aunty/godmother” as her mentor. In the second round, we learned that it was Aunty who “tells me how to be good and how to behave” and in the final round we were informed by the student that her Aunty’s suggestion for coping with difficult times was to “… be strong through our family’s support.”
Regards,
Ian McLean,
Penrith PS
June 11th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Thanks for sharing how you structure your Circle Time – it’s very helpful, Ian!
Cheers
Lizzie