Shifting the Learning Paradigm
Written by bblack
Sitting on the couch during a beautiful summer day, my phone buzzed, signifying that a new message had been received. I glanced at the screen to see a red notification dot over Gmail, my work email. If you’re considering what I was doing inside on a gorgeous, sunny day, or why, when I had the … Continue reading “The Best Gift That I Ever Received as a Teacher”
Written by bblack
I’ve always loved learning. When I was younger, my brothers, who were three and four years older than me, were some of my earliest teachers. They would teach me things like how to play sports, how to laugh when I was sad, how to skateboard, and how to stand up for myself when needed. From … Continue reading “In a Classroom of 16 Students There Should be 17 Learners”
Written by bblack
Students need to have voice in the classroom. Of course, there’re many different ways that this can be achieved and I’ve found that student feedback is one medium that provides them with this opportunity. Ever since my first year as a teacher, I’ve sought feedback from my students. Over time, I’ve refined this process and … Continue reading “Giving Students Voice: Conferencing Feedback”
Written by bblack
You wake up, blurry-eyed, in the early hours of a Saturday morning in what has been a frigid and dreary November. You should be sleeping in, at least, that’s what you tell yourself. Yet, despite your need for rest, you’ve embarked on a year-long professional development, which means no sleeping-in for you this morning. ‘It’ll … Continue reading “Saturday morning PD: is it worth it?”
Written by bblack
“Reflect, reflect, reflect!” This is likely a phrase that my students have heard continuously since the start of the school year as I’ve been mindful of regularly giving them the chance to reflect on their own learning. Doing so was not only to help them shift their mindset from marks to skills but also to … Continue reading “Taking a Risk on Unit Conferencing (2/2)”
Written by bblack
Do you ever just need a breath? As teachers, we can all appreciate the craziness that is our lives, as we often fluctuate between moments of (relative) bliss and periods characterized by piles of marking and supplemental duties. During those more stressful times, a libation – or four – may accompany that breath. For me, … Continue reading “Taking a Risk on Unit Conferencing (1/2)”
Written by bblack
“I think they’re useful,” I said, referring to my recent student conferences, “though I want them to be more efficient and effective.” “What do you want to get out of these conferences? Better yet, what do you want your students to gain from these discussions?” I wish I could say that I had asked these … Continue reading “Conferencing; take two, and a step in the right direction!”
Written by bblack
Imagine this: you go to your first Cohort 21 session and leave buzzing. After a week back in the classroom, you begin to get bogged down by the day-to-day minutia which is teaching. Sound familiar? Me too. In a mindful effort to bore ahead of the inevitable undertow of our daily lives as teachers, I’m … Continue reading “Finding my focus”
