Reaching Out Through Literacy

Yesterday I presented a workshop at a conference (TTLA) for the first time. This is something that I never thought I would do in a million years. I'm a lot better at sharing my ideas via blogging, than presenting. However; I'm always telling my students to take risks with their learning so when I was asked to present I decided it was time to move outside my comfort zone and give it a go. 

Both Marcus Akuhata-Brown and Dorothy & Russell Burt were amazing keynote speakers. If you ever get the opportunity to watch either present make sure you go. Marcus spoke about the glass lids of low expectations as well as sharing his own personal story. It was the second time I had seen Marcus speak, but once again I left the keynote teary eyed. As Marcus shared, we all need to remember Gandhi's words - 'be the change you want to see in the world'.

I presented in the first workshop session, but attended Russell Burt's workshop about organising learning and teaching in a digital environment, in workshop two. I got a lot out of the workshop, as he shared some very practical ideas. He also talked about how learning needs to be visible - for everyone! They use Google sites for most of the organisational aspects in their school. This is something. As Russell said, 'kids want to be able to get their stuff and get it quickly, just like we do'. I plan to further explore Google sites and see how I can best use them within my own classroom.

Dorothy and Russell wrapped up the day by sharing Point England School and Manaiakalani cluster's journey on how they've 'ReTooled' school to make it more engaging, empowering and successful for everyone involved. What they've done from the grassroots up is inspirational. You can view their website here if you're interested in finding out more - http://www.ptengland.school.nz/ 

I feel so privileged to be able to say that I presented at the same conference as these amazing presenters yesterday and to be part of the TTLA committee. So where to next? Two bus trips to visit schools in Auckland (including Point England) later this term, a presentation at the TFT (Teachers for Teachers) AGM, organising Educamp for Tai Tokerau and beginning initial planning for the 2016 NZ Literacy Association Conference that we're hosting in Northland. Lots to think about, but lots to be excited about too. 

Here's a storify of the day put together by +Catriona Pene 

You Don't Need Modern Furniture to Have a Modern Learning Environment

Last year I was lucky enough to have brand new furniture and be working in a modern learning environment (within a single cell classroom still). Here's a quick slideshow of how I set my classroom up last year. 

Setting up my classroom for 2013 - Video Maker

I had taught at the same school since I started teaching in 2009. At the end of last year I decided it was time to experience another school and something a bit different. I had been teaching at a decile 3 school in town. My new job I started this year is at a decile 9, rural school. I soon learnt that there wasn't the same budget for modern furniture. However; my point is that you don't need modern furniture to have a modern learning environment. 

Today was the first day of Term 2. My year 4 children walked in to find that the furniture was still in the middle of the room. It looked like this... 

Most children looked either surprised or confused when they walked in. I explained that they were going to design their own learning environment this term. They were immediately excited and starting suggesting innovative ways that we could improve our classroom. I had also pinned photos of different learning spaces on the back wall. They began exploring these, before the bell even rang. 

In small groups the children jotted down ideas about how they like to learn. Here are some of the ideas they came up with. 

I learn best when I... 

• Draw and write. 
• Read about things. 
• Work with a buddy or in a small group. 
• Play games. 
• Learn outside. 
• Brainstorm my ideas and plan. 
• Have a quiet space.
• Use technology, like computers and iPads. 
• Share my ideas with someone else. 
• Have examples of what I've got to do. 
• Build or make things, because then it stays in my mind. 
• Try my hardest and if it doesn't work, try again. 
• Have a place to write my ideas down. 
• Problem solve. 
• Have time to think about stuff. 
• When I get to be creative. 

I was really proud of how they discussed and shared their ideas with each other. I then asked Room 8 what kind of learning spaces we might need to be able to learn in all of these different ways. We also reflected on the concepts of cave, watering hole and campfire spaces (as we did a lot of work around these in Term 1). For anyone who isn't familiar with those concepts, caves are individual spaces for one person. A watering hole is for a group and a campfire space is for the whole class, or a large group. 

Room 8 spent the rest of the morning drawing sketches of different learning spaces and birds eye view maps of the classroom. As they finished they added them to our design board. 

Once they had finished their designs we had a class discussion. Everyone had the opportunity to contribute their ideas. We then created a plan of attack and started moving furniture. Here is the final result. 

We created a lot more space, with a variety of different learning spaces. I think the Google Hut on the right hand side is still the most popular though!

Some tables were pushed to the side to create a quieter, watering hole space. 

A mosquito net thrown over two old desks to make a cave space. 

The ability to sit on the couch, with the choice to either work on your lap or  at a table. A larger watering hole. 

This table has no chairs, as the children wanted one they could sit under instead. 

No matter how old your classroom or furniture is you can still provide opportunities for student voice and create a modern learning environment. I challenge you to give it a go. You'll be surprised with what creative ideas your students come up with.