Mr. Rennie's Class

  Yesterday was a big day in the lab. I got a hint of what the future could hold for the students as they interacted with the Google Docs presentation option. The kids have all been working on About Me slideshows. Many have gmail accounts but others have been using mine. Today, by inviting them to share, the new account holders were able to simply have their work transfered to their accounts. This is an indication of the type of capability and versatility this application has.  Students will be able to share documents with a partner, small group, or whole class. They will even be able to edit each other's work if the author permits it. So group projects can be worked on simultaneously  by the group from any computer with an internet connection. I find this an exciting option for the students to represent and demonstrate their learning.

  And now a few words about the new OG morning routine. We're talking about ten minutes that seem to be stirring up a mess. This mess in large part has been fueled by misinformationa and misunderstandings. The students in the past were allowed in classes at 8:15 am and they were supervised by roaming supervisors. Very often this loose supervision resulted in behavior by a segment of the student population that created an atmosphere of wild, physical, noisy play. This would carry over into the first half hour of school and meant that it was a challenge to restore a calm and cooperative learning environment. This loss of instructional time was an unfortunate waste. The new routine has provided a calm and orderly start to the day. Students are greeted by me at the door and we get right down to it with little wasted time. In  addition to this positive atmosphere change students are:

-supervised in a specified concentrated area by two staff members. The group includes those students who arrived early and not the bus students or those that arrive near bell time. It would be around 70 kids not 185.

-welcomed into the school during inclement weather

-able to use the washroom, entering through the unlocked front door if needed.

-spending as little as one minute or less behind the school once the bell rings and are with their teacher as they line up.

-greeted by their friendly neighborhood teacher.

While the students are outside their teachers are (contrary to misleading and incorrect newspaper rants):

-conferring and collaborating regarding school events and activities (this morning for example Mrs. Hatfield and I talkied through the days buddy activity).

-marking student work.

-making copies

-displaying work or other visuals (today I put up spome portraits and a Canadian flag).

-teachers are not doing or discussing post graduate course work. This work is imbedded into our daily practice or done at home. You are reading part of my field study and I'm writing this at 8:00 pm.

As for working till 2:30 pm, most teachers work  till around 4:00 pm at school as well as at night and on weekends. I was at school till 3:15 pm today, then at the school board office for a district course till 5:30 pm.

I hope this clears some things up and if anyone wants to talk about anything please contact me at school or by email and we'll have a chat.

Mike