Week 5 Term 1 - Momentum (Feb 28 - March 4)

MOMENTUM: the impetus gained by a moving object.

I am a stickler for routine and running to some type of schedule. For me there is an element of control and comfort in having a routine, I understand what the outcome is and the steps needed to get there and I can control what I do and how I do it. When I get off track or when things out of my control limit my progress and the process, I feel out of it. For teachers, part of our job is to create a culture of learning and the other part of our job is build momentum for our learners. The last two years have definitely been disruptive for everyone's momentum - whether it is social, emotional, physical, financial - the momentum of life from 2020 to now has been anything but steady. 

Our school and wider community have felt the impact of the COVID-19 virus especially in the first months of 2022. This has had an impact on how we operate as a school with a recent move into online learning (for a week) and now with a staggered return to school. Our 'normal' way of functioning as a school, our 'normal' way of providing a service to our learners - is the one that is changing. As much as I would like to think that I am open to change, I am not. I do think that there is a big part of me that is adverse to change. The idea of 'changing' the routine and the normal when it comes to the school's approach to teaching and learning in a pandemic is one that is evolving (almost momentarily) and it calls for everyone to be open to change and adapting our we teaching (and learn) in a COVID landscape. 

After a week of online learning, our school has returned to a rostered schedule. With different year levels coming in to school for a day whilst the rest of the school has online learning. This week I have tried to regain the momentum but it has been a bit of a challenge in that a lot of the students are not online due to isolation or work. The best that I can do this week is to be prepared and available for my students, my akonga. My Year 9 students (9TNi) will spend this week and most likely Week 6 reading through Roald Dahl's 'Boy' and completing the chapter questions (everything is online on my site). My Level 2 and Level 3 students will continue working through their Close Viewing Assessments (both Level 2 and Level 3 Close Viewing Assessments are due at the end of Week 7). I am confident in what I have prepared online for my students and hope that they will access the work. Even more so, I hope that they are comfortable with what is offered online with my sites especially as I have made sure to load everything that they could possibly need (especially for my Level 2 and Level 3 students). 

Now that I am in isolation, I guess I am trying my best to maintain the momentum not only for my students but also for myself. Working from home has both pros and cons, however I do know that the novelty has definitely worn off and I would much rather work at work (if you know what I mean). I think the best approach going forward is to take it day by day and not to stress or worry about what I cannot control. So long as I am prepared, so long as I am aware how I can manage the 'momentum' - I will be fine!