Blogging with Kindies?

Build it and they will come?  

Many of you know that I just started as the admin / tech teacher/ librarian at a K-3 school in Vancouver. It's a lot of hats, but I am very excited to:
a.  be working in the community that I live in, and
b.  challenging myself to work in early childhood education.  Lets face it - this is where it counts!

As always, I am excited to have the opportunity to teach technology.  So imagine my surprise when I started to explore the tools at my disposal: books on vinyl, cassette tapes, VHS players, 5 computers that don't work, and NO WIRELESS!  Not the luxury I have become accustomed to.

We are starting small;  one personal iPhone, one personal 3G iPad, one library blog, one projector, a thousand ideas, and a very eager group of kids and parents.

But if you are questioning why blogging with Kindies?  Think about it this way:

1.  Kids get inspired to write and create when they know that they are connecting and sharing their work with their families, friends and classrooms around the world.  
2.  I believe that it encourages our young learners to take pride and ownership of their own work, while developing higher thinking skills by critically assessing and commenting on other's work.
3.  I believe that as educators we have a responsibility to create a platform for teaching respect, and above all safety, in relation to technology and online learning.
4.  And last, but not least, I hope that our students learn the power of creation vs consumption when it comes to technology.

We are starting slow and hoping to grow.  Please feel free to check out our site www.annexlibrary.edublogs.org .  If you visit our Blogging Guidelines Page, there is a more detailed outline of the purpose of school blogs and safety measures. Feel free to leave comment.  Just remember -please don't identify our students by their full names.  Use initials instead. 

If you are a teacher and would like to connect/ do a shared class books study etc. please let me know.

Risha Golby
"Every child, every day, every chance."  

Intelligence Testing?

After being asked to do a timed IQ test yesterday, where I literally stared at the screen and couldn't answer any of the language based questions, I was reminded of this recent post that I shared on facebook.  At the time I was thinking more in relation to my students; how each student has gifts and strengths to share with society.  I strongly believe that it is our job as teachers to help them realize those gifts.  I see these gifts in all of our students from those who are 'gifted' readers, singers, mathematicians,  to those who may struggle with behaviour, or even those with severe physical and mental disabilities.  I learn from my students every day as they really are my teachers: teaching me patience, love, humility, acceptance, what it means to be resilient, what it means to be kind, and on, and on.

However, after yesterday's test I was reminded personally of how important it is to consider intelligence more broadly.  In high school, after doing a personality profile and IQ test, it was recommended that I pursue a career as a Drivers Ed Instructor or Customs Official - or as I read it - don't bother trying to go to University.  Luckily (what the test may or may not have picked up on) if someone tells me what I can't do, come hell or high water, I do what it takes to prove them wrong.  

My sincere hope is that all of our students develop the self confidence, resiliency and 'stick-with-it-ness' to know that their potential is much greater than one, or even a thousand tests could ever measure.  Maybe this is the purpose of school?