Keeping track...... The PYP Bulletin

When googled, collaboration is defined as the action of working with someone to produce something. In PYP collaboration means so much more than just that. Often with our busy schedules we lose track of what is happening in the other grades or the lovely ideas/strategies being used in other classrooms. There are so many documents to refer to and so many deadlines, events to plan and of course the meetings we need to be present for. 

Now with the extensive use of Google apps, Toddle, Managebac, Seesaw and the list is endless. With so many links, systems and documents to keep tab of, for a person still getting used to using technology for their benefit, it can get quite overwhelming. 

As a teacher it was always a struggle for me to keep tab of everything. There was always something that I missed or overlooked. As a coordinator. I knew this was an area I definitely did not want my teachers to struggle with.

At the beginning of the year I put together a document I call the PYP Bulletin. It is organized in a way that will help teachers navigate through all the things they would need every week. Meetings list, events list, timings, links, links to documents we use everyday for planning, shout outs for the whole teams mentioning special events in each classroom etc. 

You can find a sample of the document here. 

This is something I send to my team on a weekly basis with a short email about the happenings of the week. It also has the updates of teacher absentees, important announcements of the week, events or special activities of the week, holiday list, upcoming events etc. 

It was like out go to document as a team to know what is happening in the PYP and in each other classrooms.

Feel free to email me if you want to know ore about this collaboration tool we use as a team.

 

 

PD time

As the ways of teaching and learning are changing with changing times, the words inquiry and inquiry learning are part of most teacher conferences. Inquiry is understood as a use of a variety of different strategies. The strateies can be useful if used at the right time and the right place. 

But I wonder - Are these all Inquiry?

Use of interactive hands on activities is an integral part of inquiry teaching. Meaningful leaning can take place through a lot of  different hands on activities, however it does not necassirily mean that inquiry is taking place. This was the notion that was in the minds of most of my teachers.

This lead to the designing of this PD session of comparing three different styles of instructions.

Learning goal of this PD was for teachers to understand and get a feel of how different hands on methods can lead to different learning paths. 

The teachers were rotated throught three stations, each with a differently designed task. Each station has similar materials like powder detergent, liquid detergent, egg beaters, scales, plates etc.

Station 1:  Guided station 

The teachers on this station were provided with a worksheet and specific instructions on how to make foam and specific questions comparing the two foams.

Station 2: Challenge 

Here the teacehrs were presented with a challenge to build a free standing 12 inch tower on the plate.

Station 3: Exploration and discovery

Here the teachers were asked to experiment making foam and observe. They were asked to observe, device questions and plan experiments with the foam.

(This station was provided with extra materials as shaving cream, electric beater, soda etc)

                           

After working on the different stations, the teachers gathered to discuss their success stories. We reflected on the experieince and shared our feelings. We compared the experiences at the three stations and reflected on the hands on learning experience.  

An experience that lead to a more in depth understanding of inquiry and how ew can as teachers provide opportunities of different kinds as per the needs of the students, as there is a place for all three types of Inquiry - Guided, Structured and Open inquiry at dfferent points of learning.