During our last CoL PLG we were asked to think about our classes and what they are looking like this term and this year. We were asked some key questions to get us thinking about our inquiry direction while also thinking about the current climate of the world and what our new sort of normal looks like. These questions have been very thought provoking and have lead to some create conversations with my colleagues and what direction I could take my inquiry. As I have already discussed I believe reading is a fundamental element to all subject areas which is why this is a passion and focus that I want to keep inquiring into with a new lens that includes engagement, wellbeing and enjoyment. Below are some of the questions we were asked to think about during our PLG along with some of my pondering about each one:
What is is like coming back to school for you?
This year has already had many changes with students being in and out with covid and then moving to a hybrid type of learning which I have discussed in my previous blog post. I feel like we started the year (well I know I did) ready for it to be back some kind of normality. However I don't think any of us knows that this new normal is going to be like! It has been really great to be back in the classroom this year, the masks have been hard but it has a nice feel about it. The changes can be challenging at times but I feel like the last few years have taught us to just roll with it which makes it a bit easier to navigate these constant changes in the classroom.
What is the vibe in your class?
I have found that the students are really excited to be back at school and being able to see their friends and learn face to face. The social aspect is really great and it is so nice to see all of the children being about to talk and share with their peers again. The way we have set up hybrid learning has been great for that as well as students who need to isolate are going home, jumping online and completing the same work as the students at home and when they come back to school they are all on the same page and can get back to talking about their learning. The transitioning has been working really well in my class and it is now just our new normal. Welcoming the children back has become a normal new reality for us as well and the students are just taking it in their stride and getting on with it.
What have you noticed about whānau- what is it like for them right now?
The communication that I have had with whānau of my students has been positive and they are all wanting their children to keep learning at home while isolating and coming back to school to learn once that isolation period is over. I feel that because we have been going in and out of school for the last few years our whānau are now used to the way it works and are happy to help out in any way that they can. I have had the privilege of being able to contact all of the families in my team as I have been running the online side of learning and most whānau I have spoken to are in good spirts and understand that the isolation periods are short and are comfortable to send their children back to school. A lot of whānau I have spoken at are really happy that we are able to keep schools open and in general just roll with it themselves.
What excites you about this year?
I think the biggest thing that excites me about this year is being able to keep face to face learning happening. The last few years it has been great with the online learning and attendance of my students but it does limit and change the way we build and develop relationships with our learners. I am excited to be able to teach the core subjects in the classroom with groups and most importantly being able to have conversations and discussions as a class where everyone is able to talk freely without having to mute and unmute a microphone on a chromebook. I think as changeable as things are going to be this year the most important thing is being able to keep the learning and wellbeing of our students as normal as possible in order for the students to get the best out of their learning and experiences this year.
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