Learning in year 1: Start of Semester 2

The three week break was refreshing and relaxing. It was a great amount of time to recover from a very busy first semester. The students have returned this week and they have slotted right back into our class routines with a maturing calmness. It has been lovely to see them again. We have been joined by a new student, Rishita, who has relocated with her family to Sydney from Melbourne. She has been made to feel warmly welcome by the rest of the class.

During the break Mrs Edwards and I spent a morning at Ikea to purchase items to help freshen up our learning spaces. She has made a wonderful improvement down the Primary end and I was let loose in the Infants area. As an avid collector of interior decorator magazines, I enjoyed putting my creative side into our learning space.

I have been reading Dr Carol Dweck's book Mindset, How You Can Fulfil Your Potential during the holidays. It has been a fascinating read as she explores the idea that we approach learning either with a fixed or growth mindset. My goal as an educator is to encourage the students (and myself) to have a growth mindset. Having a growth mindset focus' on effort and working hard at something in order to improve, even if it is challenging. Considering how to improve performance and learn from setbacks are essential life skills that can continue to be applied for the rest of our lives. The book can be downloaded onto your iPad if you are interested. Reading Dr Dweck's work will provide insights into your own way of approaching situations and make you think about why you respond the way that you do.

We really enjoyed the Infants excursion to the Botanical Gardens this week. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day and a fun few hours being scientists exploring the wildlife. The children worked in groups of four and recorded their findings. The bus trip to and from the Gardens is always part of the enjoyment too.