Term 3, Week 6, 2018

Malo, Kia ora koutou
It has been indeed a very long time since my last post. And although my blogging has been sadly lacking, my drive to upskill myself continues.

Class blogs - 9APA and 10APA. I have been pushing hard for my Y9 class to maintain their blog presence . My Y10 class has not posted anything since last year so I'm afraid like myself we have a lot of catching up to do. I will keep trying.
I am encouraged by my Year 9 class, although it continues to be a struggle. I have made it my mission to comment on my entire class' blogs as often as possible. Otherwise why would a student want to post if they think no one cares. I have tried at least once a week to give time for the class to enter posts. I have explained how blogging is a tool to improve their literacy, i.e. their reading and writing. We have been learning new vocabulary using Quizlet, Vocab Word Maps, and Padlet. I have found a new app called 'Rewordify.com' which I will use soon to simplify written passages, probably would be helpful for my senior History class as well.

Be back soon as I gather results of how the number of my students using their blogs has increased. I will also be examining that students are indeed making useful and relevant posts, not just downloading images or screen shots, etc.

Term 4, Week 7, 2017: Time for myself?

The end of Term 4 is nigh. I haven't posted since my first one at the beginning of September. A lot has happened since then, in particular I have had to focus on myself for a change which included several weeks leave. I was instructed to not worry about work that it would all be taken care of. However I could not help myself...I was in regular contact with my students, providing feedback on work or assessments - the beauty of Google comments. I love surfing the net/FB and as a subscriber of a few groups/pages relating to Teaching - it has also been a productive time for professional reading and updating my Google Teacher Site (My Teacher Site) for my students/whanau and colleagues.

A teacher does not 'switch off' in the evenings, weekends, holidays or even whilst on medical leave. It is my choice. I look forward to the senior prize-giving tomorrow evening in which my nephew amongst others will receive awards. An opportunity for our Pasifika families to show their immense pride and gratitude for their childrens' achievements - Malo le taumafai.

Manuia le Kerisimasi ma le Tausaga Fou

A beginning blogger

Today marks the beginning of my blogging journey. After a colleague commented, '...but Bev we can't comment/feedback on your teacher google site'. I'm always keen to give things a go to upskill myself. So thanks to Angela Gattung of Kootuitui for hanging in there and for sharing your knowledge with me at our one-on-one meetings. Hope you've been taking part in Tongan Language Week. Malo 'aupito.

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