mindfully thinking about learning
It’s the first year since I’ve been 4 years old—with the exception of one September when I was on maternity leave—that I haven’t been a student at, or employed by, a School District. The truth is, I always wanted to be an educator, and began working with students with special needs when I was about…
Read More
For several years now, I’ve been recommending Exploring By the Seat of Your Pants, and having amazing Ontario educator, Joe Grawbowski (@grawbowskiscuba), at Minds on Media events at the BIT conference and for the Ontario Teachers’ Federation Pedagogy B4 Technology Conference. Like Joe, I’m a big believer that the computer is a portal to the…
Read MorePeter Skillen and I had the pleasure of attending a working group session at the YMCA of Greater Toronto led by Candy Chow (YPALS Coordinator – YMCA of Greater Toronto) and Nina Arcon (YPALS Specialist at YMCA of Greater Toronto). This group of about 12 young people are about to launch a blog that will…
Read MoreI attended Educon 2.8 once again this year, hosted at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia. It was great to be in the building once again. Chris Lehman and Zac Chase provide inspiring leadership and watching this school grow and change has been fantastic. The school feels more like Ontario schools than other US schools…
Read More
In a few days, I’m taking on a new role with a secondment to the Ministry of Ontario in the 21st Century Learning Unit. I’m feeling bittersweet about the new role; sad to be leaving my school and all of the wonderful students, teachers and parents I’ve come to know in my short time as…
Read MoreBIG congratulations to the Grade 6s and Mme Caudarella from École Edward Johnson who participated in a Global Project called Art Miles Japan this year. It is coordinated through the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN.org) and is a fabulous way for students to have a global learning experience. A teacher is matched with a…
Read MoreMaking Thinking Visible is based on the work being done at Harvard’s Project Zero and is part of a larger study of Cultures of Thinking about which you can read more here. The book provides a background about why a thinking focus is important and provides an introduction into the Thinking Routines that are recommended…
Read MoreOSAPAC has announced the release of a new Mind Mapping tool, called Mindomo, that affords some exciting new possibilities for demonstrations of learning and collaboration. This is a web application that students will access through a code that a teacher sets up in an easy process that is attached to their School Board email address. …
Read MoreMaking our SIP (School Improvement Plan) come alive! This year I heard about someone on Twitter who decided to post their Board Improvement Plan in a visible space at school to share with students, parents and the community as you see in the photo below. After hearing this idea via @leblancpeter @tlobaker and @nhamilton647 my…
Read MoreI remember hearing Annie Kidder from People for Education talking about parent engagement a couple of years ago. She was cautioning the educators in the room to look beyond the obvious in terms of parent engagement. We often think parent engagement means that the parents actually need to show up at the school for events. …
Read More
Learning Zone 