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More Book Recommendations for Grades 4-6; Recommended by Students for Students

There has been a great response to my blog post ‘Upper Elementary Book Recommendations; Recommended by Students for Students’ that I wrote as a Grade 4 teacher a few years ago. Now, as a PYP coordinator I enjoy reading as much as I did as a Homeroom teacher, and still value the conversations I have with students of all ages about the books that they … Continue reading More Book Recommendations for Grades 4-6; Recommended by Students for Students

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Upper Elementary Book Recommendations; Recommended by Students for Students

The Love of Reading in Upper Elementary  Books and stories are a powerful tool in connecting people of all ages.  They are a vital part of any curriculum and can evoke different emotions and lessons based upon the author’s message, or the reader’s interpretation. My literacy professor in teacher’s college David Hornsby (a well respected educator in Australia that promotes the whole language approach) believed … Continue reading Upper Elementary Book Recommendations; Recommended by Students for Students

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An Alternative Way to Innovate

A Prior Idea + Collaboration = Innovation  Innovation has recently been a key buzzword in education. Some schools and administrators use it as a synonym for the advancement of technology and some schools often attach the word innovation with robotics, 1-1 laptops or Ipads for students, VR simulation or other engagements. However, I believe innovation can be an adaptation of a prior idea or an … Continue reading An Alternative Way to Innovate

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Could I have done more?

Yesterday was the very last day of the 2018-2019 school year and with mixed emotions of relief, disappointment, sadness and elation I said good-bye to my wonderful students, cleaned my classroom and turned off my email notifications. I have 8 weeks of summer to now focus on myself. Some of my plans include reading non-education books, drinking lots of coffee, sitting out in the sun, … Continue reading Could I have done more?

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21CLHK Presentation Reflection Notes and Presentation Slides

Presenting is a skill. Some people are naturally gifted at commanding a room; they engage and interact with a room full of people with ease and confidence that commands respect. Some people work hard at this craft and little steps are made through hard work, practice and preparation. I am in the second group. I co-led my first IB workshop in September of 2017 and … Continue reading 21CLHK Presentation Reflection Notes and Presentation Slides

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Student Agency, Change and Pushing Boundaries

It seems each year there is a new buzzword in education. You will be familiar with words such as differentiation, flipped learning, growth mindset, grit, innovation and more recently student agency. With each new concept there is an expectancy of implementing and mastering the concept quickly, often without really understanding what the buzzword actually means. Defined by Grace on the Knewton blog: ‘Student agency refers … Continue reading Student Agency, Change and Pushing Boundaries

Guest Blog Post: Inspiration from Mwanza, Tanzania

The students and staff at St. Paul Nursery, Mwanza, Tanzania  My name is Josephine John. I am a Tanzanian lady. I am the director at St. Paul Nursery School found in Mwanza Tanzania. I qualified a certificate in Montessori Early Childhood teaching education in 2007 in Mwanza Tanzania. I have been in this field of teaching for 10 years now. I started teaching in 2008 … Continue reading Guest Blog Post: Inspiration from Mwanza, Tanzania

Communication within Schools; Tips for Fostering Better Communication

Historically “school” is a building where learning takes place. Recently, building relationships between staff and community members and navigating those relationships often eclipse the learning. Building relationships with students is easy: most educators enter the profession with the innate ability to help and connect to students of all ages. But for some educators, building relationships with each other and the adults within the community can … Continue reading Communication within Schools; Tips for Fostering Better Communication