Monthly Archives: September 2011

Me In A Bag Analysis Task Gallery Walk & EDUC 315 Planning/Preparation: Update for Wednesday, 28 September 2011

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MIAB Gallery Walk

The cohort’s creativity shone clearly as, after a quick PMI + Metacognitive Q on the process of completing a differentiated end product, we went on a Gallery Walk to examine all the tasks.  Everything from maps to game boards to mind maps to mirrors to film canisters to toolboxes t0 Prezis to film reviews to videos to… you get the picture!  There was an incredible array of items on display thus emphasizing the exciting possibilities when students are given choices to express themselves through means consistent with their abilities and interests.

Here are a small sampling of the MIAB tasks (posted because they are on my HD or easily accessible on the interwebs at the moment -LH).  First up is Paisley’s, followed by a screen capture from Will’s Prezi and wrapping up with John and Jan’s video:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFsosVUtYu4[/youtube]

Classroom Observation Task

While on the Tuesdays Practicum, we want you to be thinking critically about the role of communication in your SA’s classroom.  To that end, we are assigning the EDUC 316: Classroom Observation Task.  This assignment asks you to analyze four aspects of classroom communication:

  • Map of the Room
  • Use of Questions
  • Interpersonal Interactions
  • Lesson Flow

The task is due on Monday, 14 November 2011.  For ease of reference, the task handout is below:

School Visits Rotation Schedule & Planning Time

Dave and I handed out the schedule for our upcoming school visits rotation and gave you time to meet with the classmates that you’ll be touring with to arrange transportation.

We asked you to arrive at the school office by at least 8:15 am on the morning of your visit.  We’ve alerted the office staff, administrative officers, and SAs to your arrival and chosen one SA to greet you and facilitate the organization of your day.

Below you’ll see the Practicum Rotation Visits Schedule and a map of the Coquitlam School District to help find out exactly where you need to go:

Later alligators.

– Lawrence

Team Building, Potluck, & Pre-Practicum Seminar: Update for Tuesday, 27 September 2011

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We started the day by separating the cohort into two groups so both Dave and I could run a few games designed to develop teamwork and communication skills.  My first group engaged in:

  • Circle story
  • Hey, what are you doing?
  • Evolution

to get warmed up.  These activities (and more) can be found in this file:

Then, we played:

  • Tanks
  • Alligator Pond Game

Guidelines for these games (and more) can be found in this document created by TCs from a previous year’s cohort:

In Dave’s session, you had a go with:

Potluck

Thanks to everyone who brought an item to share as part of this delicious smorgasboard.

Preparing For A Successful Practicum


We started with a free write on your expectations and segued into a setting out of the big picture of the Tuesdays Prac… and beyond.  Here are the key dates:

  • Education 315, the Tuesdays Practicum, consists of 6 school visits on Tuesdays beginning October 18th and finishing November 22rd
  • Education 323, the Two Week Practicum, takes place Tuesday, January 3rd to Friday, January 13th with students in the schools full-time
  • Education 419, the Long Practicum, runs from Monday, March 26th to Friday, June 22nd

Next were presentations on The Exemplary Middle School and SRL in the Middle Years.  Here’s that info:

At long last, we asked you to give us your practicum preferences.  The information we requested is shown in this one-page slideshow:

Then, after outlining some the goals of EDUC 315: The Tuesdays Practicum:

Dave took some time to outline some of the key expectations we have of you in terms of professional conduct.  Here’s the PPT slideshow:

To wrap up, we had some fun as you created and presented professionalism role plays, short skits demonstrating no and yes examples of how a TC should conduct herself in a middle school setting.

Hopefully, at the end of today’s lesson you feel more comfortable facing the challenge that is your first foray into the field as part of your teacher education program.

’til next time.

– Lawrence

 

Middle Years TCs HIt the BC Field Trip Fair: Update for Monday, 26 September 2011

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Dave and I hope you enjoyed your time at the 9th Annual BC Field Trip Fair for Teachers.  Please check the BC Field Trips website for a list of exhibitors and much more information related to co-curricular opportunities.

Please remember that your Field Trip Fair-themed mind map task is due in class on Wednesday, 5 October. Please see an earlier post for all the details and the task handout.

Please take a moment to gaze into the eyes of Tony Buzan for inspiration:

– Lawrence

MIAB Wrap Up, Mind Mapping, & the Field Trip Fair: Update for Wednesday, 21 September 2011

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Here’s what happened today in the Wide World of POT/COM.  Luckily, there were no “agony of defeat” moments:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2AZH4FeGsc[/youtube]

Administrivia

After a short debrief of the Digital Tattoo presentation, we asked all persons interested in sitting on the MY Cohort Social Committee to seek out Andrea.  Then, we took some time to outline our plans to get you ready for EDUC 315: the Tuesdays Practicum.  Here’s the plan:

  • Monday, 26 September: Submit completed TC Profile to Dave and Lawrence vie email
  • Tuesday, 27 September: Attend Pre-Practicum Seminar (more details below in this post)
  • Tuesday, 4 October: Middle School Rotation, Day 1 (AM and PM)
  • Tuesday, 11 October: Middle School Rotation, Day 2 (AM) and Post-Rotation Debrief (PM)
  • Tuesday, 18 October: 1st Day in Practicum Placement for EDUC 315
  • Tuesday, 22 November: 6th (and final) Day in Placement for EDUC 315

Pre-Practicum Seminar

Before you enter the field, Dave and I want to cover “Everything You Wanted to Know About Having a Successful Practicum Experience But Were Afraid to Ask”. We’ll do that in a two-part Pre-Prac Seminar on Tuesday, 27 September.  Here’s how the day breaks down:

  • Part 1: Getting Energized – 11:00 am – 12:30 pm in Scarfe 204
  • Lunch: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm in Scarfe 1328
  • Part 2: Getting Informed – 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm in Scarfe 1328

Traditionally the lunch on this day has been a potluck.  It’s up to you and the Social Committee to make this happen, of course.

More MIAB Speeches & the MIAB Speech Analysis Task

When the final four speakers per group had presented, I took some time to outline the post-speech task.

In an effort to stimulate improvement in your verbal and non-verbal communication skills, what you need to do is watch the video of your speech and consider the following questions:

  1. What are my strengths as a speaker?
  2. What challenges did I face when delivering this speech?
  3. What goals will I set for my next speech / presentation?

You can use the “Me in a Bag Speech” Assessment Criteria / The 8 Ps of Powerful Presentations as a framework for this analysis and you can touch on any other aspects of your talk that strike you.

Now, the beauty of this task is that you can present this content information – your thoughtful and detailed answers to the 3 questions above – via any end product you see fit.  This approach to the assignment is consistent with the princicples of differentiated instruction (DI):

Here’s a 6 minute clip with some basic info on DI at the K-12 and university levels:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJmEiQ4HmEc&feature=PlayList&p=4C5E68673251FE37&index=1[/youtube]

To get you personally connecting with the task, I asked you to brainstorm a list of product options in class – which I promptly forgot to write down.  That said, you could consider analyzing your speech using:

  • a map
  • a song
  • a poem
  • a comic strip
  • a dance
  • a news article
  • a poster
  • a graphic organizer
  • a Prezi presentation
  • a game show
  • a model / diorama
  • a sculpture
  • a collage
  • an interpretive dance

The possibilities are well and truly endless.  The key, however, is to ensure that whatever product you choose is conducive to clearly demonstrating the content. Some products may need  to be accompanied with a one-pager that makes all three aspects of the analysis clear.

I’m  looking forward to seeing what sort of creations you come up with by the due date, Wednesday, 28 September 2011.

Introduction to Mind Mapping

We are asking you to attend the 9th Annual Field Trip Fair for Teachers on Monday, 26 September 2011 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Science World.  After the event, we are expecting you to choose one of the available field trips to mind map.  Here’s the task handout:

To prepare you for this task, Dave took some time to highlight the salient aspects & advantages of mind mapping as presented in this video clip starring Tony Buzan, the “inventor” of mind mapping and, I believe, past-president of the Hair Team for Men:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlabrWv25qQ[/youtube]

Here are some model mind maps for you to look at:

This next one’s pretty meta as it’s a mind map on how to mind map.  Whoa!  The only thing cooler is Kramer’s coffee table book about coffee tables!

If you’re interested, here’s a link to Mr. Orr’s website with instructions on The Steps in Creating a Basic Mind Map.  If you prefer your info in PDF form, here’s a two-pager on Mind Mapping.

As a guided practice piece, Dave asked you to mind map information you found on the SD43 website.

That’s all for today.

Cheers,

– Lawrence

SRL Presentation Materials: Update of Update for Monday, 12 September 2011

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As promised, here are the files that Lynda Hutchinson used in her intro to SRL presentation last week.  The first is a Word document with some background on SRL and the second is the PPT slideshow she spoke to:

– Lawrence

What You Want to Learn & Me In A Bag Speeches: Update for Monday, 19 September 2011

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We had a packed class today and here’s a rundown of all the goodness we could wedge in:

Administrivia


  • Digital Tattoo Presentation
    • All TCs are expected to attend the Digital Tattoo (in essence, your digital identity) presentation that will be held on Tuesday, 20 September 2011 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am in SCARFE 100.  For more information on your DT, lease see the presenters’ website at digitaltattoo.ubc.ca.
  • TC Profile
    • Please see the previous post for information about what the TC Profile is and how to complete it.  This task is due on Monday, 26 September 2011.  Please email your completed profile to both Dave (dunnigan@mail.ubc.ca) and I (lholbrook@sd43.bc.ca).
  • Laptops and Flash Drives to Class on Wednesday, 21 September 2011
    • We will be using the flash drives to store your MIAB speech video and the laptop to surf the interwebs.  If you don’t have a laptop, that’s OK.  You’ll be able to complete the in-class task we’re working in with a partner.
  • Social Committee
    • If you are interested in sitting on the Middle Years Cohort Social Committee – a group that organizes potlucks, outings, and gatherings – please see Dave or I.

What You Want to Learn

Dave led you in a brainstorming and categorization session all aimed at figuring out the teaching-related topics you are keen to know more about.  Dave will type up the topics in their categories and we’ll post the results on the blog soon.

Me In A Bag Speeches

After considering:

  • a rationale for public speaking tasks
  • reviewing the MIAB Speech criteria (“The 8 Ps of Powerful Presentation” + Content Criteria)
  • A/B partner rehearsal
  • choosing a speaking order

    we started delivering the speeches for real!

    Thanks to all those that presented and to all those that gave feedback using a…

    We’ll finish the speeches in Wednesday’s class.

    ‘Til then.

    – Lawrence

    Completing the TC Profile (September 2011)

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    TCs:

    Use the link below to download a template for your Teacher Candidate Profile.  By reading your answers to these questions, your School Advisor and School Principals will get to know you before you’re in the school and join the staff.

    Please answer the questions thoughtfully but keep your responses brief.  Your profile should be no more than 2 – 2.5 pages.

    In addition to the questions, there is space at the top of the profile for:

    • your contact information
    • a recent photo (a head shot is best)
    • a “Short Quote That Captures An Important Belief You Hold About Education”.  I’ve pasted a random sampling of quotes chosen by TCs in previous years:
      • “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being”  – Goethe
      • “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail!”
      • “The essence of teaching is to make learning contagious, to have one idea spark another”  – Marva Collins
      • “The true teacher defends his pupils against his own personal influence. He inspires self-trust. He guides their eyes from himself to the spirit that quickens him. He will have no disciple” – Amos Bronson Alcott

    Here’s a link to a site with quotes about teachers and teaching.  I’m sure there are many other sites like this one.

    The due date for this task is Monday, 26 September 2011.  This is a very firm deadline, as Dave and I will need to share the profile with your Sponsor Teacher and School Principals while we finalize the placements in early October.

    Please email a copy of your completed TC Profile to us both  (lholbrook@sd43.bc.ca & dunnigan@mail.ubc.ca).  We’ll take care of printing them off.

    If you have questions, please comment on this post or email one of us directly.

    Cheers,
    Lawrence

    Nonverbal and Verbal Communication Workshops: Update for Wednesday, 14 September 2011

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    After a short blurb about an online French course from Monique Bournot-Trites [monique.bournot-trites@ubc.ca] we got down to the heart of the matter.

    Both Dave and I developed a mini-workshop related to communication – Dave covered nonverbal and I touched on verbal.  We wedged all we could into the 40 minutes we had for each session.  You’ll find our lesson plans/notes for each lesson below:

    For easy reference, here are the video clips associated with Dave’s presentation:

    Body Language – Desmond Morris

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHOdJ0qlavQ[/youtube]

    Moira Laidlaw non-verbal communications in teaching in China

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1jEOhxDGno[/youtube]

    The whisper was a big hit with many.  Check out this blog post from The Daily Educator with respect to how one teacher uses whispering effectively in her classroom:

    Here’s a blog post from another teacher who uses whispering successfully in her practice:

    Also, you’ll find the video clips associated with my presentation below (along with two bonus clips – one from Miss Teen South Carolina 2007 and another from George W. Bush.  Need I say more?):

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Flt9K8vlJGE[/youtube]

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh163n1lJ4M[/youtube]

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiFEzc_gsuw[/youtube]

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQdhMSEqhfg[/youtube]

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj8epkMyJSY[/youtube]

    Reminders

    • Please have your Me in a Bag Speech written (based on the outline provided earlier in the week) and bring your objects and bag to class for Monday, 19 September – presentation day.
    • Please sign up for the 9th Annual Field Trip Fair held on Monday, 26 September at Science World.  Here’s the flyer with more info on the event and how to register.  Note that we are cancelling our regularly scheduled Monday, 26 September class so you can attend this outing:

    Here’s a PDF copy of the handout, if you’d prefer:

    – Lawrence

    Name-Ball Pass, Where I’m From, Destinations, and More: Update for Monday, 12 September 2011

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    This week we really hit our stride.  Here’s what shook down:

    Name-Ball Pass

    This game is great for working on goal setting, problem-solving, and – to some degree – learning the names of classmates.  After a few tries we managed to pass the ball from person to person in a not-too-shabby 13 seconds.  Here are the instructions for this icebreaker:

    Speaking of passing, check out this clip featuring some of Magic Johnson’s best assists (NOTE:  This is an all-ages blog so I won’t include any examples of extremely prolific passer Wilt Chamberlain’s in action):

    [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz9M3_15w1o[/youtube]

    Revisiting the Where I’m From Poems

    Dave asked you to get into small groups and discuss the question:

    How do you feel your personal journey and influences have provided you with the qualities to be an effective teacher?

    Destinations for the SRL in the MY Cohort

    Clarity of purpose is important in any endeavour and it’s particularly important in education.  To that end, I shared a PPT slideshow that outlines, in very general terms, our objectives for the year.  Here’s the presentation:

    Me in a Bag Speeches

    In our ongoing efforts to get to know you all better and to give you an opportunity to hone your presentation skills, we’ve assigned a Me in a Bag speech.  Here is the outline and criteria sheet associated with the task:

    Seeing as a picture is worth 10X10X10 words, Dave and I each modeled a speech for you.  Dave spoke about his Canuck’s lunch kit, a set of ukulele strings, and a photo of his daughter.  I referenced my push up bar, a book on horse race handicapping – Commonsense Handicapping by Dick Mitchell, and my Spinal Tap concert shirt.

    Our post-speech analysis was structured into a feedback sandwich as per the structure indicated in the graphic below.

    We’ll use the “sandwich” format to provide feedback on your speeches.

    Please have your bag and three objects from your life ready for class on Monday, 19 September.  Remember that one of the objects needs to reflect your experiences in the “middle years.”

    Intro to Self-Regulated Learning

    To end class, Lynda Hutchinson delivered a short presentation on SRL.  I’ll post the PPT slideshow when I have it.

    That’s all folks.

    – Lawrence

    SRL in the Middle Years Cohort EDUC 310 & 316 Course Outlines & Calendar

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    Below you will find the course outlines for EDUC 310 and EDUC 316, the two courses that Dave and I are teaching you this term.  Also, you will find the calendar, a class by class breakdown of how we envision the sessions unfolding:

    Look at it this way.  Even if our projected calendar doesn’t go exactly as planned, it couldn’t possibly be as wrong as the calendar shown below.  Who buys this stuff?

    – Lawrence