Comments for Captivating Classroom

Comment on Help. Feedback Wanted! by Scott Duncan

Scott Duncan — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 04:47:11 +0000

Hi Mel,

I’m really liking this document. (I’ve borrowed some of your statements and used them in my reports !) In reading through the document, it’s made me aware of some skills that I perhaps am not explicitly addressing with my students that could lead to holes and gaps in their learning later on.

I too have an old ‘scope and sequence’\'continuum’ document that I developed when I did Teacher Professional Leave back in 2007 that I look at now and consider to be quite out dated.

One thing that really disapoints me about the current VELS setup is the lack of standards\progression points for students at the prep level. I look at what they can do and that this isn’t documented anywhere is frustrating. I am excited by the idea that AusVELS will add\include elements for students working at the prep\foundation level.

I do hope though that it becomes an evolving document and that it is updated regularly. I look back at statements within VELS that now look so outdated when we look at how students use technologies now.

Comment on Future directions by Mel Cashen

Mel Cashen — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 22:40:57 +0000

Hi Don,

Thanks for your comment. In reflection of this there are a few things I would change and alter. It will be good to bring this to the group when we meet. It makes me realise how much more developed my thinking is when I have the discussion with others before writing!

Comment on Future directions by Don Collins

Don Collins — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 22:38:58 +0000

Great tone and I especially like your closer I think the group that meets should use this as a conversation starter. Don

Comment on Draw a Stickman by Kickstarting the Classroom | Captivating Classroom

Kickstarting the Classroom | Captivating Classroom — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:04:32 +0000

[...] have blogged previously about Draw a Stickman, a great little website where the stickman you draw comes to life in a [...]

Comment on Rwanda by Mel Cashen

Mel Cashen — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:02:41 +0000

Hi Anne,

Thanks. It was such an amazing learning experience for me and has really given me direction. I look forward to sharing my learning.

Mel

Comment on Draw a Stickman by Mel Cashen

Mel Cashen — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:57:11 +0000

Hi Brit,

Thanks for your post. I love it when an older blog post makes an appearance quite randomly!

What a great idea to use as a tool for English classes. Even the simple things have such amazing opportunity for teaching and learning!

Mel

Comment on Draw a Stickman by Brittgow

Brittgow — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:20:06 +0000

Hi Mel,
I found this post when searching ‘stick man’ after a colleague telling about introducing stick man to her Year 7,8 and 9 English classes. Stickman is tool for encouraging students to reflect on how they can improve their work, and uses speech bubbles and facial expressions to communicate the message from the student’s inner critic. I love the idea – I used to ask students to draw a face on their work – happy for feeling confident about their work, wobbly mouth for unsure and sad face for ‘don’t understand, feeling lost”. With 26 kids in the class, it helps me keep track of their learning. I’m off to download stick man now! Thanks again for another great post!

Comment on Mzungu, Mzungu by Mel Cashen

Mel Cashen — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 10:27:12 +0000

HI Wilma,

Yes it did go so quickly. And we were able to fit in so much. I am slowly getting my thoughts in order to write these posts. Want to get it all down but there was so much I want to share. The kids loved the stories and the photos – especially the gorillas!

Mel

Comment on Mzungu, Mzungu by Wilma

Wilma — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 03:03:05 +0000

Great reflections- bought back very pleasant memories of week that passed too quickly! Hope the class are enjoying you share the stories…

Comment on About Me by Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:31:54 +0000

Thanks for helping me out!