The power of "WHAT, WHY, HOW" in my inquiry

Literacy is the key to success in NCEA PE.

In my Level 2 class, I have been working hard on building and strengthening basic literacy skills that they can apply to their analysis, reports, and evaluations.

                I keep my power point slides really basic and structured so students don't get lost:

What

Introduction to assessment and answering the questions commonly asked by the students at the beginning of a standard. " Miss what's this assessment about"

                             Starting Point

Step by step guide to help students with the structure as well as giving them a starting point to get the momentum going.

                                  WHY

Frequently asked questions "why do we have to this"- Students need to see a visual on how Step 1 of the learning process applies to the final product of the assessment.

Using scenarios for discussion and scanning for understanding. Ensuring that students understand what they are writing down.

HOW
Showing students a visual of the end product so they see the connection between their current learning and how this contributes to the end product.

With my year 12's, I find that this basic process helps in improving their writing structure as well as their understanding. It also helps them with making that connection between the practical and the theory and transferring this understanding on to the piece of paper.

I also find it helpful that my power points are structured in a way that is similar to how their reports are structured. This makes it easier for the students to keep the momentum going with their writing. There is nothing worse than stalling the momentum of your class and throwing them off.

Please note: This is a snap shot of what is working for my class at this current time and year, this strategy of teaching may not apply to all audiences.

Testimony: The writing structure and literacy has improved since term 1 and this is VISIBLE SUCCESS for my class.

Evidence to be continued in my next Blog:)

My Inquiry 1 2017

Achievement Challenge 5: 

Improve the achievement of students with additional needs in the learning areas of English/Key Competency using language, symbols, and text.

                               Challenge for Learners 

Junior school: Students struggle to reflect and articulate the connection between the practical and theory elements of Physical education.

Senior School: Students struggle with literacy; report writing and evaluations. Students didn't know how to transfer the literacy skills that they learn in English to a Physical Education context. I find students asking questions like what do we write for an introduction? Miss, can you give me a sentence starter? How do I structure my paragraph when talking about Biophysical principles related to Turbo Touch? Students needed guidance in deconstructing literacy skills learned across other subjects and help with applying the same skills to my subject area.

Questions raised

How do we make this jump a lot seamless? What can we do to equip students at junior school so they are prepared for NCEA PE? With NCEA PE the question is how can I help to improve their Literacy when it comes to reporting and evaluations, with the overall goal of achievement but achievement at Merit and Excellence.

Desired Outcome
Students are able to transfer literacy skills across all subject areas resulting in higher achievement in subject areas that offer literacy credits.
Students will understand the importance of Literacy as a tool for improvement in their achievement across all learning areas.
Students are able to make the connection between practice and theory and be able to reflect on this via Evaluation and Reflections.

My Inquiry
My inquiry is based on strengthening the literacy skills in Junior PE so they are prepared for NCEA PE. Building on this foundation In NCEA 1,2,3 the aim is to improve Literacy with the overall goal of achievement but achievement at Merit and Excellence.

Transferring the Wairua from Practical to Theory

PE is often mistaken for just sports and playing games. This is a mindset that makes every PE teacher cringe. Though we endeavour to make most of our lessons and learning as practical as possible, there is a MASSIVE theory aspect to PE as well. At Junior level we are teaching students how to reflect, put their practical learning into writing and also understand the connection between the practical and theory. Sometimes I must admit that at junior school, I have often settled for  2 or 3 average sentences, but this time around I have been following through and reinforcing the importance of the theory aspect and teaching students basic literacy within the PE context at junior level.

Year 10 students doing a mix and match activity on Energy systems before they leave to get changed at the end of the lesson.

Our junior programme is built around our students and the number 1 priority I see at junior level is to make my lessons as fun and engaging as possible. In saying this I believe that reinforcing the theory is a step in the right direction especially for students who are keen on taking NCEA PE in the years to come. They gain skills that will help them in assessments and they build their prior knowledge bank, which equips them with the tool kit they need to step into NCEA Level 1. This is a shift that will aid in changing the mindset of the students as well as allow students make the most of all learning opportunities whether practical or theory. 

All I know is these students will be better equipped and prepared for NCEA PE in the future if they wish to take it. If they don't take PE, they will at least have had fun, learnt and practiced interpersonal skills, learnt how to reflect as well as strengthen basic literacy skills to transfer to other subjects. It is a Win,Win situation. Chur to that!!

Transfer the WAIRUA from PRACTICAL TO THEORY

"There it is"