Google Sites...Thank You

Google Sites just keeps on getting better.  I have only recently shared a unconference workshop on the updates on Google Sites....

This week I discovered some more new features and I just want to use them and sing about it!!!

Metaphorically speaking!!!

Buttons - these are my new best friends.  How much better will my website now be.  Sorry Google Drawings...I no longer need you on this task!

But, wait...there's more...

Layouts - wow this will also be my new friend.  Can't wait to try this out on my other sites...

So explore what I have now done with my new learning on buttons on my school's website:

www.papakura-central.school.nz

Happy exploring and creating with Google Sites!

Digital Learning - Believe in Yourself

Mauria te pono

Believe in yourself

Digital Technology is fast changing.  As an educator and a leader, keeping up with them is something I aspire to. 

I am many things: fast learner, keen learner, seeker of new ideas and ways..to make things easy.  I think at times I surprise myself with my learning and also knowledge and how this is transferred. 

I know I have an inquiring mind, willing to find out more...

Over the past two years, all these things have not changed...and I continue to surprise myself.  Here is the list of new learning or learning into practice:

• Achieved: Google Educator Level 1
• Created:  Bitmoji of myself

• Became: Minecrafter - no longer a "noob" (as my son would often refer to me as being)
• Created: new website for the school using Google Sites - www.papakura-central.school.nz
• Facilitated:  toolkits & unconference workshops - truly embracing the pedagogy of "Learn Create Share" to do so (new learning definitely)
• Explored: Coding - and led a workshop on this
• Created: a blog I am happy to share with more than with just my 'trusted' friends

Gee whiz...if I can do it, anyone can.  You just need time, focus and an belief in yourself.  And sometimes, you just need to do...you can't break it! 

Community Engagement

He waka eke noa
A canoe which we are all in

As a school we have put on two parent meetings this year. Opportunities for parents and their children to learn fun ways to embrace learning writing and maths at home. We had a great turnout from our parent community and their children...our learners.  

It is a great interactive session where students...parents and teachers can work together sharing ideas and games that can be played at home. 

It is an awesome feeling observing the magic that is engagement with our community. 

Our last evening, focused on Maths created such a buzz. 

I am proud of our teachers, who on both community events, contributed to the atmosphere. 

 Thank you team!

Finally success is in the organisation.  

Thank you to the Senior Leadership, the Support Staff and Deby (the Community Engagement co-leader) for the great teamwork.

Ready to reap the rewards with our students!

Competition Time

Wow, what a busy four weeks, preparing and honing problem solving skills.  My group of ten students have been shaped into a team of eight! 

We have spent the past two weeks, working on questions, discussing answers and preparing our strategy for the event:  PPA Mathex Competition 2018.

These are the ideas we have decided will form our strategy or thinking for the event!

Strategic Thinking of our teams!

Meet our two teams:

Team 2

Team 1

Fast forward the Competition...

Having just competed this evening, the two teams have done myself and the school proud.  There was tough competition amongst schools in the area.

The aim of the competition - 20 problems completed, as a team, within in the timeframe of 30 mins.  Not an easy feat with a variety of questions, challenging the knowledge and skills of the participants.

At the competition, the winning school - 20 questions in 17 minutes.  That was good going!  I has the pleasure of being the marker of this team - they were fast, keen and answered 90% of questions on the first go!!

So how did we go!  Well, Team 1 got 60 points (12 questions correct) and Team 2 made it at 30 points (6 questions correct).  I am super proud of my two teams!

The debrief after - they found it tough, exciting, nerving but I think the experience was worth it in the end!

Mathex Training 2018

Term 3 sees the training of the 2018 Mathex Teams. 

We have been spending out sessions doing the following:

• What makes a good Mathex Team
• What strategies do we employ to solve problems
• What types of questions pose extra thinking time..."Help us with these please Mrs Fox"
• Practising questions and working together as a team

So far we have learnt and practiced the following strategies:

• Write an equation
• Draw a diagram
• Guess and check

We have also learnt what is important when we first see the question:

• READ IT!
• Underline the key words and numbers