Re-thinking learning for the 21st Century
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
I am spending a lot of time lately thinking about ways to ensure I am doing my best to include diversity in my science classes. Real, authentic diversity. Not a check box. Not a list. Real stories. Real people. Real learning. Real viewpoints. Real cultural context. I know that I’ve done things to include diversity … Continue reading “Diversity & Science”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
This pandemic has given me moments to pause and reflect – and almost more importantly, permission to try new things, new strategies and new ways of thinking. In reflection, I have given myself permission to go with teaching big, learning big and taking different types of risks in my classroom. I am so incredibly grateful … Continue reading “Permission in the pandemic”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
How might we build community amongst grade 7 students as a way to create spaces where these students can take academic and social risks in any classroom space? These past few weeks have been exciting with the end of the year (2019, not the academic year) wrap up. We committed to a few events as … Continue reading “Building Community”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
I work at a school that prides itself on community. We do an awesome job investing in our kids. Last year my #cohort21 project took a very academic route. I looked at peer to peer feedback last year. This year I want to take a more social look based on the conversations I’ve had with … Continue reading “Project31 and Community”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
May in a boarding school is about as long as three minutes. There are activities, exams, trips, special functions, report cards, special one-day projects and drama and of course, a few days of classes between each of these things. Today, I gave an assignment and I want to spend the next class having the … Continue reading “How do you keep momentum going into May?”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
It’s time to celebrate! It’s time to look at our own learning, look at our own growth and look at how this has positively impacted our students and possibly even other teachers in our buildings. It’s time to recognize the impact a year can have when we decide we want to make a change. It’s … Continue reading “A little video recap to kick off the celebration”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
March break is behind us almost two whole weeks now, and late last week I gave my grade 8’s a lab. I was vague about a lot of the lab and encouraged them to think through variables they could manipulate, and to think about what hypothesis could test those variables and then devise their own … Continue reading “HMW update from NB”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
This week is busy at school, well, really when is an independent school not busy? I’d argue Christmas day. We are 7 school days away from March break and everyone is trying to wrap up units and minimize assessments that need to happen over the holidays. I feel like I am doing some exciting things … Continue reading “When your cape is in the wash”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
This week I had my students present in front of the class and did not grade it – but the students in the audience were required to provide feedback to each other about the presentation. It was amazing. Those kid honestly are starting to get it! #teacherwin Last week we started our technology unit … Continue reading “What happens when you just don’t grade it?”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
This week, another teacher and I hosted a think tank of sorts modelled off the cohort21 conferences. We started the day with this projected on the board, the Rocky theme song playing as kids entered the room and small candy dishes on each of the tables. There was group work, brainstorming, timers, action plans, ideation, challenges, idea … Continue reading “Candy & Innovation”
