The last few months have seen a lag in my own posting on this blog. It was something I was keen to avoid - the inconsistent blog is almost as frustrating as the forgotten blog.
I have made several posts but none have got past the draft stage as when I have finally got around to editing and revising my post I am no longer in the same line of thinking - other priorities have taken over my thinking.
The last post which is still as yet unpublished had at is focus the dilemma of working in the business instead of working on the business (or is it vice versa...).
It is a constant struggle for many teachers and principals - especially the non walking DP at a small primary school. It is impossible to find the time to keep abreast of latest professional readings, fully analysing teacher performance and planning appropriate professional development for myself and colleagues, working on latest school initiatives etc. while still maintaining an effective class programme, completing standard managment tasks and having a Life!
It was a subject that I explored with various Principals last year during the NAPP programme - ensuring that you have time to lead as well as manage. At this stage of the year and term, my priorities have unfortunately pushed leading and learning about leading to the rear as there is too much management to do.
Student Motivation
Another topic that I have wished to explore in more detail is the importance of child centered and stimulating content for students - especially so in the Intermediate years. This term my students have started to debate with great fervour (Topics such as "Are Zoos ethically wrong?""Should SPARC have given $36 mil to Team NZ?"and "Should all tap water contain Fluoride?"). It has been quite a while since I have had the complete student led intrinsic motivation in learning that matches our debate work. Student have got indepth and passionate about their subjects - the standard Intermediate indifference is not good present.
Students have also been looking at the Bob Dylan song - The Hurricane and African American Spirituals a spart of our Story Telling inquiry unit. They have got intensely focused and keen during these lessons also. undertaking own research after school hours, impressive!
So why?
Why are these topics capturing their attention so well?
I think it comes down to fairness. Children have a strong sense of fairness - and combined with students reaching an age where they are keen start to form and express their own opinion means students are motivating in these areas.
I am keen to keep exploring how Fairness can be brought into other curriculum areas or content knowledge and used as a motivator.
