Full disclosure: Much of this post comes from conversations with my administrator Chris Moore (@icprin). I would like to acknowledge him before you continue reading. The more and more I think about changing my classroom practices, the less and less I consider technology. Perhaps I should celebrate how embedded in practice it has become since […]
I keep hearing and reading “21st century this” and “21st century that” and “20th century practices” and I have to wonder… Why do we keep looking backwards or at the present? Happy Friday, y’all! B
I am a big fan and advocate for games based learning. In the most trivial form, good games offer complex puzzles, critical thought and creative play. Many good games today require an element of collaboration, creativity, problem solving and communication. Let’s not forget about financial literacy. Let me reiterate – good games. There are some not-so-good-games […]
I began the day yesterday with a conversion from someone I admire and consider a great edu-twitter friend and #onted colleague. Andrew, as he often does, threw a tweet in my direction suggesting the contrary to what I have been blogging and speaking about for a few years now. Coding. I’ve learned over the years […]
(http://www.chroniclebooks.com/landing-pages/duckrabbit/downloads.html) In this post I would like to share some personal experiences regarding our preconceived notion of what curriculum is. While documents are in place with specific expectations for each grade level, we often omit the mathematical process found at the beginning of every grade here in Ontario. What I mean to say is the math […]
I’ve read a lot lately about equitable access to technology. Not equality – equity – with regards to availability at home. Some families have no internet, some have slow internet and some have top notch service. Some families have no computers, some have a family computer, some have own devices. You get the point. (Apologies […]
My back to school brain can’t let this one go. It seems somewhat trivial, but I’ve been pondering over it for days and feel the need to write about it here. One of my usual back to school activities has always been to create a “List of Things to do When You Are Done” with […]
TouchDevelop is a handy tool I have been exploring for about a year or so. What I loved about it initially was that it is browser based and HTML5 meaning it works on all tablets and devices – yes, ALL devices…even you Mr. iOS. Did I mention is it web based? No bugging your IT […]
My name is Mr. Aspinall and you will be my ninth homeroom class. However you are more than just a number and you are more than just my new students. You will also be my new teachers. I would like to welcome you today to your new classroom. This is your space. You will […]
When this picture came across my feed this morning I got really giddy and excited as we have been talking about authentic math for a while now. I am sorry I am not able to find the source. I will keep looking.. So, this morning I would just like to share a few examples […]
In this post I would like to provide a lesson based on patterning, spatial awareness and computational thinking using Minecraft. From the Ontario curriculum for grade 8: determine a term, given its term number, in a linear pattern that is represented by a graph or an algebraic equation; make connections between solving equations and determining […]
I recently read “The engaged student vs. the compliant student” by @justintarte which got me thinking. Why is it always one or the other? Why is it compliance vs. curiosity or grades vs. no grades or engaged vs. disengaged or student choice vs. dictation or fixed vs. growth mindset as if pedagogy in education is so black […]
Culture, culture, culture! On Linda Cliatt-Wayman’s first day as principal at a failing high school in North Philadelphia, she was determined to lay down the law. But she soon realized the job was more complex than she thought. With palpable passion, she shares the three principles that helped her turn around three schools labeled “low-performing […]
We recently conducted an LKDSB Youth Talk for intermediate students to share their voices. It was modelled after TEDx and we had a great turn out of students, teachers and parents. Stay tuned for it on youtube. One talk stood out to me and has me thinking again. I just read Is our job as […]
Myria Mallette (@MmeM27) is one of our French teachers who is busy learning, teaching and coding alongside her students. Recently she engaged a grade 8 student into creating this Zelda recreation to teach directions en francais. When I saw it, my jaw dropped with richness of Geometry (and little taste of algebra). After all, […]
Coding allows students to create content, not just consume it. Coding empowers students and give them tools to express themselves in really cool ways. Coding teaches storytelling with games and animations. Coding is a place for students to take risks and fail safely. Coding is inclusive and builds self-confidence Coding supports many principles of […]
1) “Spelling Test One” – In this type of assessment, students are given a bank of words and told a select few will make it into the formal dictation. Students memorize and retain as many of the words as they can in hopes are getting a good grade. Pros: Spelling Test One is easy […]
CanConnectEd was not your typical edtech conference. Of course there were sessions on tools, apps and such. But the big idea around the “connected” conference was, well, the idea of being connected. Thank you @mraspinall because I learned something for the 1st time today. #CanConnect15 very validating. — Alanna King (@banana29) May 7, 2015 […]
Grade nine was the year I stopped going to the library with my class. Not because I was protesting or anything but because the library was no longer an event – much like the computer lab. Instead, both facilities were resources, available on demand. If I needed the internet, it was there. If I […]
In this article I would like to dissect the Math curriculum here in Ontario and focus on the process of mathematics. From the Ontario curriculum document: Problem Solving Problem solving is central to learning mathematics. By learning to solve problems and by learning through problem solving, students are given numerous opportunities to connect mathematical […]
I am a transparent teacher. I am a transparent learner. I tweet a lot. I’ve heard every joke about me tweeting all day, living on twitter etc. and I’m OK with it. Better yet, I am great with it. It is a wealth of information, ideas, best practices and honest admissions of risk taking and […]
Yesterday was the second annual TEDxCK event (Chatham Kent). This year’s theme was”food for thought.” We had farmers, musicians, authors, teachers and even students in the building sharing big ideas. If I had to summarize the day into a few words, I would call it change and innovation. Regardless of your profession or industry, people […]
Student A loves school. Student A thrives on the challenge of a test. Student A studies three nights ahead of every exam. Student A is driven by marks and grades. Student A is good at “playing school”. School comes quite naturally to student A. Student A wants to be told what to do to get […]
For all the kids who grow up in a small town and think they don’t stand a chance. You do. I was once that kid.