*This post has been written as part of my journey through my Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Planning through Brandon University. Can you differentiate between curriculum and instruction? Levin (2008) stated that “curriculum is an official statement of what students are expected to do”. This changes depending on the subject manner, grade level, and abilities of the student(s). Instruction is how an educator assists students in their journey towards understanding. Levin, B. (2008). Curriculum policy and the politics of what should be learned in schools. In M. Connelly, F.M. He, & J. Phillion (Eds.). The SAGE handbook of curriculum and instruction. Thousand… Read More
#TRSD32 Tweet Challenge of the Week
Ever since our division was encouraged to join Twitter at the end of September I have been trying to keep participation going by posting weekly “Tweet Challenges“. This week’s challenge is: #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge of the Week! Share your strategies for helping students review/study for exams #examprep #mbteach #assessment — Kirsten Thompson (@MissLwbt) January 18, 2016 – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 6th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 13th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 19th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 26th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of… Read More
Changing the Education Paradigm…. But How?
*This post has been written as part of my journey through my Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Planning through Brandon University. Changing the Education Paradigm. (2008) Uploaded to TED. Availble onine at: https://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms Sir Kenneth Robinson’s speech, “Changing the Education Paradigm” has recorded over 1.6 million views through the TED platform and countless more through the various versions uploaded online through text and video platforms. The video is viewed by everyone from pre-service teachers and educational PD attendees to parents and businessmen/women around the world. The graphics of the video and charisma of Robinson make for an engaging… Read More
Curriculum Controversy – Discovery Math Isn’t Adding Up
*This post has been written as part of my journey through my Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Planning through Brandon University. In 2013 Manitoba Education Minister Nancy Allen announced the implementation of a revised math curriculum that focused on, “… developing math skills, procedural thinking, conceptual understanding and problem solving to ensure students are getting a solid foundation” (Manitoba Education Press Release, 2013). The curriculum shifted from an inquiry-based approach, often touted in the media as “discovery math”, to an algorithm approach that focuses on deep-level numerical understanding. Levin (2008, p. 11) stated that, “5% of clients complaining can lead to… Read More
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year everyone! Ok… so Happy New Year +4 days! I did take a conscious break from blogging over the holidays but was so excited to blog about New Years on Friday then our internet went out and our son decided to go from sleeping through the night to waking up 11+ times in the night…. related? I don’t think so…. but still frustrating none the less! So even though it is four days late I would like to wish all of you in blogland a very happy 2016! If you are a relatively… Read More
A Teacher Spends a Day in PD, What She Realizes May Shock You!
Our division sets aside five days every year to commit to professional development. Whether it is division-wide or school-based the purpose is clear… for teachers to embrace a growth mindset, continue their professional learning, refocus their pedagogy, and increase how successful their classroom is (with the definition of “success” looking different in different situations). Sometimes professional development days are tailored to meet the needs of specific teachers like meeting in grade-groups or by subject-level. A lot of times they are more general and include all teaching staff regardless of their teaching assignment. Division-wide or school-based… subject-specific… Read More
#TRSD32 Tweet Challenge of the Week – Last One of 2015!
Ever since our division was encouraged to join Twitter at the end of September I have been trying to keep participation going by posting weekly “Tweet Challenges“. This week’s challenge is: #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge of the Week (LAST one of 2015!): share what you are looking forward to during winter break ❄️⛄️ — Kirsten Thompson (@MissLwbt) December 14, 2015 – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 6th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 13th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 19th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 26th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for… Read More
#TRSD32 Tweet Challenge of the Week
Ever since our division was encouraged to join Twitter at the end of September I have been trying to keep participation going by posting weekly “Tweet Challenges“. This week’s challenge is: #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge of the Week: share what you learn from today’s PD session & what you want to take back to your class — Kirsten Thompson (@MissLwbt) December 7, 2015 – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 6th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 13th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 19th – #TRSD32 Tweet Challenge for the Week of Oct 26th – #TRSD32… Read More
Things To Ask Yourself When Trying a New Tech Tool
There are hundreds… thousands of new tech tools out there that are being incorporated into classrooms on a daily basis. Without a purpose, however, we run into technology being used simply as an engagement tool that doesn’t open up any new opportunities for students and can be a waste of your time (and money if the school had to purchase new equipment). As many of you might know, when you use tech as an engagement tool the appeal is lost relatively quickly…. students can become distracted…. they begin using the tool for other purposes (surfing the web, selfies,… Read More
Resources to Start Off Your Week 88
At the start of each week I post a list of Resources to Start Off Your Week with at least two new additions that I will add to my favourite websites page (when applicable, resources will also be added in to my Manitoba resources page). This week marks the official countdown to Christmas break! Only 3 teaching weeks (or 14 work days) until the holiday 🙂 1 ) Life in the Iron Age – Interactive animation that walks students through aspects of daily life in the iron age; including creating fire, baking bread, and spinning wool. – Users get to search the area for… Read More