Re-thinking learning for the 21st Century
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
Just thought I’d check in and see if any other classes/teachers lounges are following along? We’re catching up from March break and filling out our info cards this week and making our predictions at #rnsscience (Grades 6-8). Each class is responsible for presenting 1/4 of the bracket and each student is making their predictions. If … Continue reading “MMM2019”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
Have you heard? Are your kids involved? Do you do March Mammal Madness? If you are not, that’s OK, I wasn’t either until this year. I found out about March Mammal Madness through a facebook group for teachers I follow that is full of crazy awesome science ideas. March Mammal Madness, or MMM2019 for short, … Continue reading “March Mammal Madness”
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”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
January can be a hard time for teachers. You arrive at school before the sun comes up, you leave after the sun has gone down and it’s so very cold because no school has ever in the history of schools managed to perfect the art of heating classrooms. January can also be a really exciting time for … Continue reading “Just keep swimming”
Written by Mary-Ellen Wilcox
It is rare that I attend PD where I go home so tired, and yet, so invigorated and refreshed. My brain hurts. I’ve thought a lot leading up to today about my action plan, my goals and what success would look like for my actions. I’ve seen some success, but I also know I have … Continue reading “Brainfreeze”