Janet

After today, the first day, What has been the most interesting idea? //I found the thinking tools really interesting. We have other tools that we can use but the interactivity of these tools adds a different dimension again. I love the idea of being able to revisit and map the changes in ideas as you move through a project and being able to compare with other groups is great. Lots of application and forces/encourages students (me) to think clearly and justify their ideas.// I agree Janet, the fact that we can track changes in thinking and progress in students by looking at each version of a map gives us a powerful way to record changes over time. These tools fit very comfortably with other thinking tools and strategies. Good luck for today- Anne

What has been the most challenging thing you have thought about? //How I am going to go back and introduce this at school. It has real application to what we are doing but so far this year my team is planning on reduced time (in comparison to the last couple of years), we have been asked (and willingly accepted) to work with a literacy coach - who never quite got there. We have done literacy testing - on-demand and TORCH with little support and I know that I have to get the approach correct or they will throw their hands up and say no more.//

How do you feel? //I feel concerned knowing that I have to get the approach right but I have a number of ideas about approach - so that it supports their planning with out adding to their work load. Over the next few days I'm confident that I will find a good way to do it and I have confidence that the team will be enthusiastic in the end - because that's how they are.//

Anything else?