Teaching as Inquiry

I posted with regards setting myself a teaching inquiry at the start of the year http://teacherandrewdoyle.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/goals.html after discussions with my tutor teacher, my year six team and a meeting with the Deputy Principal my inquiry has been set out for next term. The link below will outline the inquiry and the goals.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mZNnaC-vofdi9p7CRM0Y7yX4ABgQo96wpZg_2RRw2t0/edit

Water Challenge

Teacher as role model is something that I believe is very important and something that is central to me as a teacher. With this in mind when I received an email promoting drinking water only for the month of April I discussed it with my class and asked them if they wanted to try and take on the challenge with me.

In New Zealand obesity and diabetes are an increasing problem, and a major component of this is the intake of fizzy drinks, energy drinks etc. This challenge could act as a locus of change in their thought process with regards to their intake of copious amounts of sugar through their choice of drink.

We had a guest speaker in to talk to us about the amount of sugar in certain drinks and the health value to changing to water.

I have been super impressed with the way most of the class took on the challenge and they are so proud that they have gone so far on only water. For me it has been a challenge too. I went two weeks on only water or milk (midterm break). I know when I return to school on Monday I will have eager students who will beam with pride that they have managed to go a whole month on only water and I think that is a credit to them, but it also shows the importance of leading the way as a role model.

Below is a picture of my class with our guest speaker.

Run Bike Run

Lynmore School is a major part of the community and the links between school and community are very important. We look to strengthen these links and to develop closer links with the community at all times. This is a day by day process but it can be seen in significant way when the school holds events and one of these events took place this week.
Run, Bike, Run is a whole school event that is about taking part. It is what the title suggest we start with a run then a bike and then a run. There are no prizes for coming 1st, it is just about enjoying the day, cheering on other participant and dressing up in your house colours.
The students, teachers, teaching assistants, parents and  the wider community helped to make this an awesome day full of colour and singing. It really created a great buzz within the school and hopefully within the wider community.