Jun
14
Education, a poem.
Posted by: Natasha Chiang | June 14, 2013 | Leave a Comment
This poem was written by a high school student who was living in Busolwe, Uganda back in 2011 when we were there. It deserves a repost every year– as I continue to grow as a new teacher in Vancouver, I keep his words in mind. I appreciate the blessings we have as learners and teachers in Canada.
Education.
Where did you come from?
Oh! God, you created others white and others black.
Is this the education I hear?
Education, that you’re wise, whosoever comes
to you becomes wise. WHY?…..?
Education I hear that whoever wants you
pays money!! That you education puts other
people to the first class which benefits a lot
others in the second class which benefits some how
less and others in the third class which totally
inherits nothing. What can do Oh! Education
tell me… … …
Education, should I befriend you so that
I also enjoy the class people in this world today.
And if so where can I find that man
called money to touch you education?
Jun
14
collaboration
Posted by: Natasha Chiang | June 14, 2013 | 1 Comment
There is power in creating a learning space where everyone’s strengths and learning needs are not only addressed but valued. It is a skill that we must teach our children; as a working adult, and a teacher, I realize the potential of being part of a team where we use our different experiences and skills to create something deliverable to a class.
I got to co-teach a music block during my practicum, which proved to be difficult at times because of the difference in teaching styles. Still, there was a unique energy in co-teaching that creates a unique classroom environment. I feel the same energy here working with my team. This collaboration time that we are afforded in our planning week at the Vancouver Biennale is so valuable. If only schools not only encouraged but provided a time and a space for teachers to sit down at a big table and lay out our thinking and planning, then schools could really be transformed! It is incredible how much work we have completed in one morning. We have used each other’s strengths: Erin’s creative ideas, Ashleigh’s artistic talents, my organized facilitation, and we have established the “big idea” to teach a mini- unit next week at Walter Moberly School.
I am looking forward to going into the classroom with the ladies, and teaching our class of 4/5′s using the units which we are planning right now.
Jun
6
Sharing our learning
Posted by: Natasha Chiang | June 6, 2013 | Leave a Comment
Teaching sometimes feels like an all-consuming task because I am planning and preparing alone. Though there are many opportunities to collaborate, most of the time I make most decisions for my class because I know them best. It is very exciting, then, when it is time to share our learning with other people in our community.
This week my class finally completed compiling their last edition of our classroom newspaper, their “Guide to Creating a Classroom Newspaper”, their Science Journals of “Plants and Growth”, and their books “Classroom Portraits”. With this package the students led their parents in a conference of all the things they learned this term. It was very exciting to set up a framework for the students to achieve success! They felt knowledgeable, and were great hosts to the wonderful family members who came in to support the kids. Last Friday I also finished putting up our art collage board, and added the last question leaves to our ‘Question Board’. These displays complemented the ‘Knowledge Tree’, our ‘Global News– Uganda pen pals’, our ‘Fruit Seeds Gallery’, our ‘Inquiry’ board of research, and our ‘Earth Day Promises’ boards. All the samples of student work on the displays represented the students’ learning process and growth! It is so exciting for the students to feel like their classroom is really ‘theirs’, with visuals showing their thinking and projects.
The students had a chance to receive feedback from their family member (or a peer if families could not make it), as well as from their Big Buddies in grade 5/6 during a second conference. It is interesting to read the comments from these other ‘teachers’ in my students’ lives. It gives me perspective on what my students have really learned, by seeing what they have shared with others.
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