(Haunting, cotton like fog is yet to lift...so it sits... on the water, on the house, on my head. With hints of wood stoves and that bit of dewey wet in the air, outside feels crisp and autumnesque. )

In the past I've not been successful at late night homework sessions. But, the last few weeks my capabilities seem to be expanding (thank goodness). School is busy, and overwhelming, but wonderful... typically we all get home from class (better known as the West Kootenay tour) around 8:00pm. A quick bite of cheese on cracker, a lovely cold beer, and hopefully a hilarious episode of Modern Family, then back to the books.  I've been taking the short break when I get home from school and then getting back to work... for an hour or two anyways.  

Our classes are all connected but it's often something we have to synthesize ourselves, in our minds, when we go home.

The big ideas thus far are as follows :

pedagogy (took me a while to understand the meaning of this baby)

place-conscious learning 

self regulation

12 core competencies

formative assessment vs. summative

backward design model

capital (ie. cultural, social)

classroom discourse

etc, etc, etc

Fortunately, our instructors are all well versed in each of the above. We are lucky, because each class is so different but very connected, and each instructor brings something different to the table. For the most part, I hang on every word they say... and often think about their lessons long after they're over.

In general - the vast amount of information & understanding I've been trying to absorb in the last few months is quite ... a lot. And even more, is my trying to realize how I might be able to incorporate all these great, insightful ideas into my classroom practice. Needless to say, I believe it (my practice) will manifest itself gradually and roughly... 

I foresee many "failed" lessons, stuttered words,  and disappointing moments... but among those, I know there will be at least a few gems. Shining moments of learning. 

I go into my two week practicum on Monday in a grade 2 class at Brent Kennedy, a small school in South Slocan.  In the few days I've observed in this classroom I already cannot wait to see the little munchkins again.

Apparently my "stay up and do work" limit has been reached tonight, and I'm going to go to sleep. Will write soon about all the beautiful, diverse friends I've made. My 19 member WKTEP family is already so dear to me... can't imagine how I will feel in 8 months...

night.

Waking up to fog skimming across the Kootenay river, right outside my door, I appreciate how lucky I am every morning. I am forward moving, instead of back, and that has set me here, in the West Kootenays, pursuing a dream.

It has been a strange few years..since I last blogged. I have seen a lot of change, upheaval, and sadness around me. Pearl Jam just released a new album and track 4 is so concise:

Oh, it’s a fragile thing, this life we lead, if I think too much, I can’t 

get over 

When by the graces, by which we live our lives with death over our 

shoulders 

Within the heaviness of the last few years, there has also been much joy and good changes. However, I shant recap all those days. Because... this blog, and this life, is forward moving. What's important is that all the goodness brought me here. Riverside, nestled in a cedar home, somewhere between Castlegar and Nelson. Life is good. The fog is relentless (really, it's wild). And school is crazy. Over the next ten months I will bring words to my learning on this blog. It's constant and overwhelming and amazing... and stressful and nerve wracking and terrifying. All feelings that are normal in a PDP education program (...right??) 

It's getting late (it's really not, it's just that I'm a grandma), and I'm going to head to bed. 

Will be back again soon to try and write a more sufficient update...