Writing Workshops in the Senior Team

This term we are trying to meet the needs of learners in our team through writing workshops.

We did asttle writing Week 1 and based on punctuation results, we grouped students for workshops.

There have been teething problems in terms of a very busy timetable and trying to fit it in.

However, students feel they were able to target specific needs more and wish to try workshopping early Term 2 for another writing area (structure and language next time).

Here is one of my presentations for my punctuation workshops.

Creating Labels

This is to create Goal Labels.

Liiturgical Music

This year I have organised music for our class masses and collaborated with the DRS for music at School-Assisted Masses. Tomorrow night for our Carol Service, I will play piano, lead singing and help direct the order of events.

Here is the schedule (I've prepared the audio tracks) I also prepared our team's musical item (violins and harmony)

I also helped to prepare the Kapa Haka group - I posted their performance songs on the School Website.

Spiral of Inquiry Term 3-4

Here is a link to a learner agency inquiry I have carried out with Room 5

Term 3-4 Spiral of Inquiry, 2016, M Gallagher-Pile

Integrating RE and Concept Learning

I have been integrating RE and concept around the theme "building the Kingdom of God" which tied in well with the God  strand this term as well as the Olympics. We have looked at how rules and laws come about by the IOC and the importance of fair play (particularly drug-cheating). The idea of covenants, the olympic oath and God's faithfulness have been important aspects of the student's learning. The students have enjoyed the choice element and making connections between God's teaching and playing sport.

I used SOLO taxonomy for success criteria and to deepen thinking and understanding.

Here is the RE / Concept Term 3 Doc

Here is one of the SOLO rubrics.

Student Learning Pathway BLOGS

Today at my Team Meeting, I showed the other team members how to set up student BLOGS.

Here is the letter I have drafted to inform Senior Team Parents

Tuesday 26 July, 2016

Dear Parent/Caregiver,

One of our strategic goals as a school this year is to further parents’ engagement with their children’s digital learning. In the Senior Team we are also trying to promote student self-monitoring of their own learning. To achieve this we require them to know what their learning goals are and to take steps towards achieving them. This involves reflection and evidence of work done towards their learning goals.

This term the Senior Team students are starting their own Learning Pathway Blogs. They will use the Blogger Google App, which will be under their St. Joseph’s login. These BLOGS will be private and so only viewed by you the parent, the student and the teacher. Your child will need your email address in order to invite you to be an “author” / reader on their BLOG. So please accept their email invitation when you receive it. You will also receive an email each time your child posts on their BLOG.

On their BLOG, students will post evidence of work done on their reading, writing and maths goal, as well as learning they are proud of. Please include a current email below so that you can be part of this learning journey with your child. If you have any further questions please do contact us.

Many thanks

Mairéad Gallagher, Ajeshni Buksh, Tricia Kenny & Noreen Meikle

Maths Observation - Measurement Lesson

Judith Fromont (AP) observed my maths lesson. I was teaching the Year 5 group a lesson about measuring angles. Here is the feedback:

Judith's Feedback - Measurement Lesson