Middle Years: What's On Your Mind? by Lindsay Forrest https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b en-us 2023-04-17 06:17:51 UTC 2023-04-19 00:52:14 UTC hello@padlet.com What are your biggest takeaways from these sessions with Leyton? jencarterbc https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559307751 Brains are as malleable as they are in grade one
Closing the literacy gap
Social/Emotional plays large part in their experience
Knowing our learners
We have some of this happening in our district (AIAO) but not particularly supported.  Need equity rather equality, promotion, collaboration
IMportance of exploring identity
Need regular Collaboration should be built into our district (not one-offs) (within schools, family of schools)
Transition activities (7s visiting hs prior to heading into Gr 8)
Letting them just play]]> 2023-04-19 00:08:16 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559307751 What are your biggest takeaways from the sessions with Leyton? lforrest20 https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559308109 -Brining in more current events more often to use in the classroom (what in the worlds).  Slow down to use extension activities that are supplied.  Explore chatGPT
-Reinforced the need to build a space that is community-based and safe
-Importance of fun and play
Connecting with your students and taking an interest in what they are doing outside the building - share pet stories

]]> 2023-04-19 00:08:41 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559308109 What are we already doing that supports MY learners? lforrest20 https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559310142 -Connecting with and knowing our students
-Showcasing student learning
-Letting students decide what they want to share (student voice and what they want to dive more deeply into). This is not necessarily CAPSTONE, because its not just one event]]> 2023-04-19 00:10:48 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559310142 What do you need more time to think/create/collaborate on? lforrest20 https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559311235 -Finding TIME to connect students across multiple schools (is this release time?) and between grade 7/8
- Ratios of small groups of students with an adult for mentorship time.  (Advisory) - this can be troublesome with staffing.  Home rooms can operate like this but the schedule can prove troublesome - rotating schedule. Are teachers seeing value in the time?


]]> 2023-04-19 00:11:55 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559311235 What are some ways you are currently embracing MY philosophy/pedagogy/structural innovation in your classroom/school/family of schools jencarterbc https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559311782 OKL 6/7s rotations eg ADST, Language so that kids get to experience different styles of teaching, etc.
Grade 8 teachers meeting the grade 7s (icebreakers)
Community building and team building eg class meeting/community circle
Team teaching and collaboration at Fulton 
Established check-ins working on emotional literacy 
Lots of choice (students help co-create curriculum and classes 
Nature as co-teacher
Time/space on the land to direct learning through curiosity
Community connections - allowing students to see people who have interests and strengths to share
 ]]> 2023-04-19 00:12:27 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559311782 Things we have already done that worked lforrest20 https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559317983 -Getting teachers together to share ideas and collaborate in a short and sweet time period - this happened right after school and we would like multiple opportunities to do this

-Paul started looking at ways to make connections between kids and classes in any grades 7-12.  Sometimes a bigger gap creates more opportunities for mentorship

-Going over to KAL more frequently.  This is not just to get the grade 7s ready, its an unofficial walk around.  We like to just come over for a walk.




]]> 2023-04-19 00:18:32 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559317983 What do you need more time to think/create/collaborate on? jencarterbc https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559318735 Transitions between 7/8 (even bringing the 6s)
7s going up to his to visit and 8s going to elem to get to know their students
Learning (from the kids) what is helpful with transition
Asking Gr 8/9 students what structures you would like to have had in elem  (even just having them know prior to grade 8)
More time to connect with staff members and learn more about community outreach and helping students see what is beyond school walls
More time collaborating with SBRTs
SBRTs co-teaching with humanities/math/science
Meaningful choice at elementary (eg academies)


]]> 2023-04-19 00:19:07 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559318735 Barriers we are facing lforrest20 https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559326118 Time - teacher planning time to collaborate

Scheduling for students

Time to collaborate for students

Demands of your own students (behaviours, class dynamic, teaching demands)

Fears with secondary teachers - the unknown can feel scary

Class size

How are we ensuring connection in middle years learners at the high school level?



]]> 2023-04-19 00:25:06 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559326118 How do you want to take action next year? What are the questions/barriers? jencarterbc https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559328586 Take an opportunity to slow down with the curriculum (at high school)  BArrier is that some believe that we aren’t preparing them enough for the next year (institutional and peer pressures)
Continue to work with community members
Collaborating with grade group teachers - moving kids around (barrier is time) and knowing what is out there to support the collaboration (what do we have access to (eg release time))
At high school - really need smaller class sizes
Bussing costs are also a huge barrier 
Block rotation schedule (fitting needs of grade 8 platooning intro a system that must also fit grades 9 - 12)
Would love to create more collab time (eg common preps at hs)

]]> 2023-04-19 00:27:00 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559328586 In what ways can the district support MY philosophy/pedagogy/structural innovation over the next 3-5 years? What would make a difference in your school that would support your growth in being responsive to MY students? jencarterbc https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559339062 Release time, collab time, team-teaching, book clubs, lunch and learns, 
free bussing for transition activities
More training on scheduling (built in MyEd)
Family of Schools regular collab times
Supporting students who are exceeding (eg in math) (can students challenge a course?)
Shifting from assignments/tasks to focussing on actual learning
Stance on enviro ed and sustainability (working with organizations in our area) How can we develop enviro ed in-house
More collaborative team-based residencies
Considering location of schools and providing funding based on that eg to support outdoor learning (eg bussing)
Also access to equipment (eg snowshoes) (DRC outdoor equipment) and connecting the kits to the people who have knowledge on each 
Continue These sessions throughout the year
Adding time to the day mon to Thurs to create collab time on a Friday]]> 2023-04-19 00:35:21 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559339062 How can the Learning Department along with Leyton provide opportunities for learning and support? jencarterbc https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559345801 Expand on the residency model (in teams) 
Being more present in schools and conversations happening more organically
Somehow becoming more part of the school
Stopping at staff meetings or lunch
Creating a space for sharing resources
PLCs to keep the conversation alive maybe virtually
More time/release time (eg rotating TTOCs) for collaboration
Lunch budget for ongoing lunch and learns (or a series)


]]> 2023-04-19 00:40:32 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559345801 What ways can the district support your school that would support lforrest20 https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559346278 -Resources/materials/supplies - inquiry based learning.  Having access to STEM materials
-Training in how to use these supplies
-Are the supplies continuously being updated?  How can we have support doing this?
-Consultants working in the school
-See students be more involved with the community that makes a difference to where we live.  Students feel and have a purpose that helps community needs
-Training - not after school.  During the day sessions (even for 1.5 hours) meet IN YOUR OWN SCHOOL.  Working with teachers in their own building.  Teacher collab training.  This would not fall on admin to watch the kids. Have TOC funding to support teachers in their learning.  
-Secondary - getting subject area specialists across the district together and give them opportunity to explore and share some ideas. During the day release.]]> 2023-04-19 00:40:53 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559346278 Middle Years Voice Day lforrest20 https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559348469 -Could students play an active role in planning this next year?
-We would like this to continue
-Could it also happen in individual schools as well?  Then take that and move it to the district level.


]]> 2023-04-19 00:42:35 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559348469 No Cost Immediate Implementation lforrest20 https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559350593 -Taking Paul Britton up on making connections across students and schools
-school spirit and building school culture collectively]]> 2023-04-19 00:44:06 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559350593 Would you want to be involved in a MY student voice day next year? What would you want to see?· jencarterbc https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559351095 More of the same, but bigger.  More representation from schools.  More time to get more info from them.
A family of schools event in the fall and then a larger district one in the spring 

]]> 2023-04-19 00:44:30 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559351095 Which MY things come at a cost and need to be prioritized? Which things do not cost anything that we can implement ongoing? jencarterbc https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559353608 Bussing, Collab time, Release time, Equipment, Class sizes, ]]> 2023-04-19 00:46:14 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559353608 What are the biggest takeaways? https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559353912
  • Providing choice for the students 
  • Getting outdoors 
  • Relevant activities 
  • Building connections 
  • Understanding developmentally where the kids are 
  • Taking the time 
  • Time is priority  
  • Restructuring timetables 
  • Collaboration 
  • Hungry and craving the collaboration across grades (within and between schools) 

    • ]]>     2023-04-19 00:46:28 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559353912     What are some ways you are currently embracing MY philosophy/pedagogy/structural innovation in your classroom/school/family of schools? https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559354715
  • Flexibility on due dates 
  • Connections 
  • Grade 6/7 in elementary school  
  • More difficult at the high school 
  • Connections within could help 
  • Need Collaboration time/flexibility - not available  
  • Working together as a staff 
  • Being responsive 

    • ]]>     2023-04-19 00:47:06 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559354715     What do you need more time to think/create/collaborate on? https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559356065
  • More time to collaborate 
  • Create a new structure within the schools – who will do it.  
  • Ie Homeroom at secondary of students who we will or have taught 
  • Building in the choice 
  • Building the culture of flexibility 
  • Collecting resources 
  • It’s hard to imagine the possibilities – how can we get all together 
  • Ongoing collaboration 
  • Collaboration between grades/schools 
  • Outdoor learning- brainstorm between schools ie. planning and outside space 

    • ]]>     2023-04-19 00:48:11 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559356065     How do you want to take action next year? What are the questions/ barriers? https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559357732
  • Collaboration (formal versus informal) 
  • TTOC availability 
  • Need time for planning and implementation 

    • ]]>     2023-04-19 00:49:32 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559357732     In what ways can the district support MY philosophy/ pedagogy/ structural innovation over the next 5 years? What would make a difference in your school that would support your growth in being responsive to MY students? https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559358626
  • Build a covered  outdoor classroom at each school 
  • Have collaborative space within schools 
  • Continued support from our learning coordinators 
  • Middle years french learning coordinator 
  • Professional development oppornities for MY 
  • Collaboration time following pro-d 
  • Bank of resources for activities outside of the classroom 
  • Build a collection of Learning opportunities within the community (grade specific) 
  • Time!!! (in-person, face-to-face conversations) 
  • Access to residencies 
  • Grade 7 teacher visits at high school 
  • Release time to ideate and implement, co-create 

    • ]]>     2023-04-19 00:50:18 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559358626     How can the Learning Department along with Leyton provide opportunities for learning and support? https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559359491
  • MY French lead teacher 
  • TIME!!! (time to practice doing it together first) 
  • Practice with guidance 
  • Copy of the slides/ resources 

    • ]]>     2023-04-19 00:51:00 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559359491     Would you want to be involved in a MY student voice day next year? What would you want to see? https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559360027
  • Yes 
  • One for each family of schools 
  • Opportunity to practice MY pedagogy 
  • Consideration of the energy and effort in implementing new things

    • ]]>     2023-04-19 00:51:30 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559360027     Which MY things come at a cost and need to be prioritized? Which things do not cost anything that we can implement ongoing? https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559360982
  • Time (for ongoing collaboration, release time, etc) 
  • Mental/health cost to teachers
  • Support students 
  • Cost towards keeping the momentum going 

    • ]]>     2023-04-19 00:52:14 UTC https://padlet.com/lforrest20/3j2h21n3zyhe3r7b/wish/2559360982