Restorative Justice

My school is looking into putting restorative justice principles into place. I'm undecided what I think about this - I think it's more the name than the principles that put me off. It's going to be an interesting process for me and I know that I need to go into this with an open mind and some idea of how it could work for me. (Maybe just call it something else?!?!)

My current beliefs on behaviour management are (and I feel most teachers are similar):

• Put into place good structures and expectations
• Positive praise for target behaviours and celebrations
• It's all to easy to forget the 'good' children, when the 'tough' ones demand more attention - it's important to make an effort to balance this
• Re-direct children before the behaviour occurs (if possible)
• Give children a chance to be responsible and make choices
• Teach what good/expected behaviour is at school (maybe it's different at home)
• If a punishment is absolutley neccessary, make it relate to the 'crime' (eg, if Johnny is climbing the trees when he shouldn't be, the next play time he needs to play in a particular area where there are no trees)

I have found this article which is the start of my research.
http://www.teacherswork.ac.nz/journal/volume2_issue2/carroll_lind.pdf

21st century Alphabet

Children in your class not using thier imaginations???

Sometimes I find that children can lack imagination and problem solving skills. Usually the times when it is most problematic is during writing when they "have nothing to write about" or during play times. It's usually at this time behaviour issues might arise from boredom. Well.... no longer will this be an issue in my classroom (theoretically anyway!).

I have just stumbled across SCAMPER. So now on my to-do list I have: making up a display and a box of goodies that the children can help themselves to. I think I will put into the box a camera so the children can record thier thoughts and ideas.

First though, I think it is important to introduce them to the idea and have a bit of a go as a class. I feel some fun afternoons coming on!

Awesome Learning Spaces

Sweden
http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/swedens-classroom-free-school-the-future-of-education.html

On the quest to be the best for 2012

http://www.vln.school.nz/mod/threaded_forums/topicposts.php?topic=232181&group_guid=53307

The Virtual Learning Network is a 'facebook' for teachers - setting up groups about things that interest you and commenting/disscussing with others about teaching topics. Here I have posed a question and have asked for help on Personalised Learning and Flexible Learning Spaces.

Thanks to all the good folk who have been helping out!

On the road to providing outstanding personalized learning with flexible learning spaces

Although an advert for furniture, it poses some good questions that need some thought before I dive right in!

What  type of learning do you want to encouage?

Who should use the spaces?

How will furniture and ICT be used and configured?

Can staff visualise what it will be like to work in the spaces?

Although many of these videos are aimed at older levels, I believe the principles still transfer to primary school level. I'm excited to get this project going and to modify and adapt as I need to.

I think it is so important to recognise childrens needs, wants and styles (to achieve as well rounded citizens who can take on the world at anything they desire!) We don't expect adults to fit one mould, and we should never expect children too.



The end and the beginning....

Things worthy of mentioning for 2011:

• Successful classroom blogging and some independent children
• Some success and deveopment with Active Inspire (still think the SmartBoard holds the technology back though!)
• Some success with personal blogging and tweeting
• Proffessional Development external courses - ILT Conference, Kath Murdoch, Behaviour Management, iPad/iPod
• EduCamp Invers
• Some amazing and supportive colleagues, particularly my tutor teacher and syndicate leader
• Some success with initial trial of Personalised Learning
• Full Registration!!!!
• Got my car back fully diagnosed and cured - now runs like a dream
• Bought a new bike and have re-ignited my like for 'cyclists tan-lines'????

This year it seems has been a very career-focussed year, with a most boring personal life. This has been great for setting me up with my career, now as a 'real' fully registred teacher and I'm very much looking forward to the challenges ahead. 2012 for me brings a new teaching location. New school and new city. Moving back to Christchurch has been an easy-ish decision for me as I believe it will provide the opportunites for me to move ahead and achieve my personal and professional goals. Christchurch has had a hard time and many, many people have said "why Christchurch?" To me, Christchurch now has so much potential (not that it needed any more!) and I want to be a part of moving forward and looking to the future. After all, as a teacher, that's what I'm always trying to cater for. Living and working on the outskirts I hope I will be safe and happy. Having said that, I will miss Invers - mostly the family and friends that I have here. I hope they all come and visit, and I too, will be back to visit.


Things I'm looking forward to in 2012:

• New colleagues, new children, new structures, new challenges, new personal learning
• My 'own' wee place (for however long I can afford it!)
• Having a city life with arts and culture
• Cooking for friends
• Educamps (I believe there's a ChCh one and maybe a Nelson one...)
• An ActiveBoard that I will have mastered by the end of the year!
• Personalised Learning and hopefully some options for Flexible Learning Spaces
• Exploring new parts of the South Island (and getting some fresh air at the same time)