School Inquiry

Using STEM to increase engagement, critically thinking and problem solving.

Our school focus this year is 'communicating in Science'. During our inquiry meeting, we discussed target students we had and the data we had collected. Overall we talked about how we all need to collect more data so that our hunches are supported by accurate data. I have decided that I am going to use my MIT inquiry as my school inquiry too. Michelle talked about this being most effective and will allow for a very deep inquiry. I thought about different ways that I could increase engagment and increase critically thinking. We talked about Universal design for learning Vs Differentiated learning. 

What do I need to do now?

My knowledge of STEM needs to be unskilled.

How I can integrate STEM throughout the day?

Rich tasks- STEM- prompts problem-solving 

http://inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/universal-design-for-learning/

URBS

Understanding Behaviour and Responding Safely 

Notes:

• Connects to PB4L and reinforcing positive and desired behavior. 
• Understanding ourselves to see what our triggers as teachers are. 
• This will help us manage our reactions to certain behaviors.
• Looking at what stress does to us. 
• We want to understand the difference between Responsive (Rational/ Constructive) vs Reaction. 
• We want to calm ourselves so that we can react in an appropriate way.
• Ways of responding to stress. Students may respond in an Active (Run, Throw, Fight) OR Passive (Freeze, Hide, Stop responding).
• Relationships with students are extremely important Non Verbal support- Calm, in control, attentive, interested, empathetic.
• Emotional Stages (Ready to learn, Out of sorts, Escalating, Out of control, Calming down) 
• Teaching and practicing calm down strategies. 
• Getting students to recognize the signals for themselves. 

So what?

I want to create a PB4L lesson around how to respond when we are upset/ angry. It will be important for students to know how their bodies react to stress and what they can do in class to help them.
- Calm down bench (Outside)
- I feel____ sheet- Get that ready in class (Come in when calm and then place sheet on table so Miss Spies knows).