I always know that I'm in for lots of fun when I walk through the doors of the school and find the staff running in all directions ... especially when it's only 8:30am. Today is just one of those days.
I visited with the Grade 8 students this morning, during their 'breakfast' time. The conversation revolved around last night's hockey game, and of course the question came up: Who are you rooting for? There are now only three more teams in the running and of course the students are excited about whether their favorite teams will be victorious.
My visit this morning was with the Grade 8s, and as it turns out, they have a supply teacher for the day. The reason for the supply is that this is the day when all the teachers in the school are involved (in two separate sessions) in Collaborative Inquiry Networking Sessions. This means that teachers are meeting with the school principal to discuss (in groups) various teaching methods, and to review the successes and challenges that are part of their students' lives. This is a very good opportunity for some to learn from others, and for teaching techniques to be shared, while at the same time allowing the staff in general to be aware of the challenges and successes facing the students themselves.
At the same time, the fact that all the teachers are involved in these Sessions means that today, there are more supply teachers on hand than there would be normally, which brings its own challenges for students as well as those who are fulfilling supervisory roles today.
Other activities in the school today include a session on Cooking for Teens which will involve students in Grades 6-8, a Read-a-loud session with Grade 1s and a Book Fair for all students. Who ever said that life was boring?
Even at this early hour of the day, the lessons learned today must include a reminder that we must all be open and flexible when dealing with life, because the best laid plans can always be uprooted, and the best way to be present to people is just to go with the flow. Those who are able to master this art run far less chances of getting hurt, and far better chances of being moulded by the experiences we live.
I visited with the Grade 8 students this morning, during their 'breakfast' time. The conversation revolved around last night's hockey game, and of course the question came up: Who are you rooting for? There are now only three more teams in the running and of course the students are excited about whether their favorite teams will be victorious.
My visit this morning was with the Grade 8s, and as it turns out, they have a supply teacher for the day. The reason for the supply is that this is the day when all the teachers in the school are involved (in two separate sessions) in Collaborative Inquiry Networking Sessions. This means that teachers are meeting with the school principal to discuss (in groups) various teaching methods, and to review the successes and challenges that are part of their students' lives. This is a very good opportunity for some to learn from others, and for teaching techniques to be shared, while at the same time allowing the staff in general to be aware of the challenges and successes facing the students themselves.
At the same time, the fact that all the teachers are involved in these Sessions means that today, there are more supply teachers on hand than there would be normally, which brings its own challenges for students as well as those who are fulfilling supervisory roles today.
Other activities in the school today include a session on Cooking for Teens which will involve students in Grades 6-8, a Read-a-loud session with Grade 1s and a Book Fair for all students. Who ever said that life was boring?
Even at this early hour of the day, the lessons learned today must include a reminder that we must all be open and flexible when dealing with life, because the best laid plans can always be uprooted, and the best way to be present to people is just to go with the flow. Those who are able to master this art run far less chances of getting hurt, and far better chances of being moulded by the experiences we live.
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