Go Confidently...
My first post in my professional blog. It's time to stop being a silent bystander (though I have enjoyed learning from others) and start being an active participant in this exciting, passion filled community. I have been thinking and reflecting on my favourite quote recently and wondering how many different ways it's really playing out in my life right now ~ both personally and professionally.
I am a grade 1/2 teacher in Surrey and love the inquisitiveness of my students. I've been learning much about technology, specifically "Genius Hour" this year but have struggled with how I could do "that" in my room with my learners. I really want to, but I got stuck, hung up on the challenges of their ages, abilities and the scope that Genius Hour presents to be. Was it easier to stay within the safe confines of what I know?? - sure. But there's more, and I want to be part of it and most importantly, I know my students will get so much more out of their time with me if I go confidently in this direction.
Their questions kept coming, their "wonderings" about their world growing deeper and gaining momentum. I felt like they were handing me their longing to learn, how could I withhold them that learning? So while reading a blog by another Surrey teacher, J Pulvers, I joined her in her switch to thinking, "why not?" and "how can I?"
Once I shifted my perspective, the challenges seemed to quickly melt away and the possibilities seemed endless. Our "I Wonder" project officially began and has proven to be one of the greatest projects I've ever done with this grade level. My only regret is that I didn't begin earlier! More to come on how our journey unfolded.
"Go confidently in the direction of you dreams. Live the life you have imagined." Henry David Thoreau
I am a grade 1/2 teacher in Surrey and love the inquisitiveness of my students. I've been learning much about technology, specifically "Genius Hour" this year but have struggled with how I could do "that" in my room with my learners. I really want to, but I got stuck, hung up on the challenges of their ages, abilities and the scope that Genius Hour presents to be. Was it easier to stay within the safe confines of what I know?? - sure. But there's more, and I want to be part of it and most importantly, I know my students will get so much more out of their time with me if I go confidently in this direction.
Their questions kept coming, their "wonderings" about their world growing deeper and gaining momentum. I felt like they were handing me their longing to learn, how could I withhold them that learning? So while reading a blog by another Surrey teacher, J Pulvers, I joined her in her switch to thinking, "why not?" and "how can I?"
Once I shifted my perspective, the challenges seemed to quickly melt away and the possibilities seemed endless. Our "I Wonder" project officially began and has proven to be one of the greatest projects I've ever done with this grade level. My only regret is that I didn't begin earlier! More to come on how our journey unfolded.
"Go confidently in the direction of you dreams. Live the life you have imagined." Henry David Thoreau