My PD Learning in Practice

Yesterday, Lisa told us a simple way to see if our kids had trouble crossing the midline. I wanted to try at least one of the exercises we had learnt while it was still fresh.

The students got into pairs. One lay on the ground with his/her eyes closed.
The other said, "When I tap your arm, lift your arm"
                      "When I tap your leg, lift your leg"

After doing this single leg or arm lift a few times, then tap an arm and the opposite leg.

I was curious to see which of my 15 students would be able to do this...having suspicions as to which ones might not be able to.

Pohutukawa students having fun crossing the midline

My class had such a good time doing this on each other and I was able to go around the class noting who was having trouble.
As predicted it was the ones who struggle with fine motor skills who were unable to to register the taps on their opposite arm/leg.

I will be including some exercises which work on crossing the midline throughout our day :o)

PLD - Ready Set Go: Transitioning to School

Really enjoyed today's Professional Development.
Lisa Barlow gave a very informative seminar to an eager bunch of ECE and New Entrant/Year 1 teachers from around the Whakatane area.

Lisa Barlow kindly posing for my blog.

I have come away with wanting to introduce Brain Gym exercises, Crossing the Midline exercises and Relax Kids meditation sessions, in my classroom.

Stay tuned for updates on how this is going.




Learn more about Brain Gym here.

Learn more about Crossing the Midline here.
(link to follow)

Learn more about Relax Kids here.

Exciting New Book

I recently saw a youtube clip of comedian and author B.J. Novak reading his new book 'The Book With No Pictures' to a group of children. I was so excited about it, I wanted to read it to my class of Year 1 students as soon as possible. So, I ordered it then and there...three weeks later my very own copy arrived :)
My family were my first guinea pigs :o) success!! Laughter from young and old.

Here is the brilliant book

It was time to try it out on my class. There were looks of concern when they realised there really weren't any pictures in the book...so unlike all the books we usually read. But this concern was short lived. I am pleased to say Pohutukawa Ruma absolutely loved it and it has been the request of choice ever since.

We had another class join us today, a class of Year 2 and 3 students, and they too succumbed to the utter silliness that is 'The Book With No Pictures'.

I highly recommend it. 5 Stars

Using multiple devices

This is my first post after linking my mobile device to my blog.
I can now add photos and posts straight from my phone :)

PLD - Using Blogger as a Reflective Portfolio Tool

What a wonderful day of learning today.
We have had Saunil Hagler here at James Street School teaching us how to set up and use Blogger as a reflective portfolio tool.

Saunil showing us the Blogger ropes.

So much personal learning going on.

View our reflections and suggestions on how to use this tool here.

My second labels post

My first labels post