iPad Professional Learning Group Session 4

This Month's iPad PLG focus was on using the Explain Everything application to further enhance my  digital capability as a teacher. We created a sample EE and shared it to a common drive. Creating an efficient 'work flow' for the students was a focus too, so that students have limited distractions in class.

T-Shaped Literacy for Juniors with Dr Rebecca Jesson

On Tuesday 22nd June I attended a talk about T-Shape Literacy for Juniors given by Dr Rebecca Jesson from the University of Auckland. The aim of the talk was to further explain the 'Big Ideas' contained in Junior School Ready to Read books. I found it useful as I can use my texts to create 'Text Sets' - a set of books that have a common theme - and to teach themes such as helping, of healthy eating that sit above the decoding element of each reading book.
 

Pause Breathe

On Tuesday 8th June, I attended a Pause Breathe Smile Professional Development session run by a qualified practitioner. The aim of the PLD was to introduce us as a staff to the evidence - based practice of Mindfulness and how it can be beneficial to our teaching and the learning of our students. Results show that participation in Pause, Breathe, Smile:

• Improves focus and attention for better learning outcomes
• Increases calm and student wellbeing
• Enhances self-awareness and pro-social behaviour
• Reduces test anxiety and boosts resilience
• Decreases teacher stress and burnout

There are 8 lessons to engage in and teach and I am looking forward to what positive outcomes this has for me and, in particular, for reducing stressful moments when teaching.