Implement a Program, sure, but LIVE the philosophy

At the end of the day one of my students was packing up to go home and had a huge smile on her face. me: How was your day, C? C: Amazing! me: Really? Amazing? What made the day amazing for you? C: People. me: You have some good people in your life here at […]

Posted by milesmac on December 12th, 2013 | No Comments Posted in big ideas

Index of Student Focused Assessment Series

Overview Goal Setting Engagement Portfolio Growth Statements Student Led Conferences Forms    

Posted by milesmac on December 4th, 2012 | 1 Comment Posted in Assessment, Pedagogy

Reflection & Self-evaluation forms for Student Focused Assessment Model (pt7)

Reflection & Self-Evaluation Forms This is a companion to the six articles on the assessment and reporting practice used at my school for the past 15 years or so. While things have evolved over time, and recent changes to our provincial reporting requirements are challenging the way we do things, this is a snapshot of […]

Posted by milesmac on December 3rd, 2012 | 4 Comments Posted in Assessment, Pedagogy, Resources

Student-Led Conferences in Student Focused Assessment Series (pt 5)

This is the sixth of six articles on the assessment and reporting practice used at my school for the past 15 years This post explores student-led conferences. While things have evolved over time, and recent changes to our provincial reporting requirements are challenging the way we do things, this is a snapshot of the ideal, […]

Posted by milesmac on December 2nd, 2012 | 4 Comments Posted in Assessment

Touching story of integration and an insightful teacher aide

Middle years Halloween dances are loud, energetic, and smelly. Almost every student is there, dancing and shouting conversations over the thump thump of the music. Near the back of the room a teacher aid moves in front of a severely disabled student: blind and restricted to a wheelchair. She holds the arms of the chair […]

Posted by milesmac on November 29th, 2012 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy

#eduwin Changing student self image through positive talk

There is always one. Sometimes more. The challenging kids that show up with reputations and rap sheets. My strategy is to talk up a positive year, right from the start. Focus on the good, build up the image of a positive individual, delight in achievements, focus on the feeling of legitimate accomplishment. Use lots of […]

Posted by milesmac on November 20th, 2012 | 1 Comment Posted in Pedagogy

Middle School Students Advocate for Social Justice as Global Citizens

Social Justice in the Middle Years This post briefly describes and assembles some media from a social justice project we did after working with the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation. The project evolved from a fundraising effort likely to raise a few hundred dollars to something much larger. The entire school was brought on board engaging […]

Posted by milesmac on November 19th, 2012 | No Comments Posted in Pedagogy

QR Codes in School... Really?

QR Codes are Everywhere QR codes are appearing everywhere it seems; in magazines, newspapers and fliers, posters, billboards, and public benches, product packaging, store displays, letterhead. Makes sense... rather than writing down or typing in a web address, a user scan the code and link directly to the target page. No typing, no mistakes, no 404 […]

Posted by milesmac on November 6th, 2012 | 11 Comments Posted in Resources

If the teacher dances faster will students learn more?

“I’m an entertainer. I have to do a song and dance to capture their attention,” These are excerpts from a New York Times article Titled, "Technology is Changing How Students Learn" suggesting student attention spans are decreasing and teachers struggle to engage students in classwork. I added my own somewhat flip reactions. Teachers who were not […]

Posted by milesmac on November 5th, 2012 | 1 Comment Posted in Pedagogy

Goal Setting in Student Focused Assessment Model (pt2)

This is the second of six articles on the assessment and reporting practice used at my school for the past 15 years This post covers the Goal Setting element. While things have evolved over time, and recent changes to our provincial reporting requirements are challenging the way we do things, this is a snapshot of […]

Posted by milesmac on October 12th, 2012 | 1 Comment Posted in Assessment, Pedagogy
« Older Entries
%d bloggers like this: