" Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."
Albert Einstein

Kath Murdoch Presentation 6th April, 2011

This was an amazing day with Kath providing some great advice and reflections on using inquiry in the classroom. Some of the main points that I have taken away from the day to reflect on are:

1. As a teacher we need to grow kids sense of learning and motivate them to become switched on learners.

2. What is getting in the way of learning and also as teacher's our own learning?

3. Learner voice is very important.

4. Encourage a child's wondering and discovery.

Kath discussed how there are different types of inquiry and that they can cover several weeks or even one day. Being able to still take that ' teaching moment' I feel is very valuable for children as well as rewarding. As a part-time and relieving teacher, I will often take an interesting object to a class as a mini inquiry for the day and it is amazing the discussion and questioning that this can create.

Kath Murdoch has made me reflect on my own teaching and how I can develop more effective questioning in the classroom to promote a culture of curiousity.

I love this quote:

Children Are Like Kites

By Erma bombeck

You spend years trying to get them off the ground.
You run with them until you are both breathless. They crash ...they hit the roof ...you patch, comfort and assure them someday they will fly.
Finally, they are airborne.
They need more string, and you keep letting it out.
They tug, and with each twist of the twine, there is sadness that goes with joy.
The kite becomes more distant, and you know it won't be long before the beautiful creature will snap the
lifeline that binds you together and will soar as meant to soar ...free and alone.

Only then do you know that you have done your job.

Chat Pack

Chat Pack for kids is a wonderful resource to encourage creative questioning and ignite the imagination. It contains 156 cards, each one featuring a question guaranteed to get creative juices flowing and fun conversations going.

A sample of the the fun:

If you could have any round object in the world, what would you choose?

Which musical instrument do you think would best describe your personality?

If you could create the ultimate vacation resort, what would it be like?

I found this fabulous resource on fishpond.co.nz where you can purchase an amazing range of books, games and toys. I'm looking forward to trying out Chat Pack when relieving this term- a great motivation for writing too!