On Thursday, I asked my class if they had a vote, how would they use it in the EU Referendum. 19 said they would vote to remain, and 5 would vote to leave.
I was very careful not to share my view, and I outlined the argument on both sides. The truth is, it probably wouldn't have mattered if I was...
Sunday, 26 June 2016
Wednesday, 1 June 2016
My Place in Europe.
Today is the day when the 'Vote Leave' heavyweights talk bout immigration. This, they believe, is their big chance to persuade voters in the referendum that we are better off out of the EU.
I have found...
Monday, 28 March 2016
Flying kites, and other issues with our primary education system.
"Mr Townend, can we fly a kite?"
That was a question I was asked in September - my first week of being a Year 3 teacher. What a good idea, I thought. We could learn about air resistance in science. We could look at making our own in DT using dowel, tissue and string. We could do some poetry exploring...
Wednesday, 2 March 2016
A Day in the Life...
This is what I have done today. It's been a good day, on the whole, and illustrates perfectly what a typical day for a teacher involves.
8am
Setting up the speakers in the hall and preparing computer and props for assembly.
8.15am
Setting up classroom for the day. Editing PowerPoint with days activities...
Monday, 22 February 2016
In defence of teacher training days
Every school holiday, I take a trip to the barbers. There is no time during term time, so I make sure I get my hair cut short enough to last about six weeks, until the next holiday.
So it was this February. My sideburns had taken on that brillo pad texture and I had developed an uncontrollable quiff...
Sunday, 24 January 2016
BETT 2016 - Observations of an amateur
So BETT 2016...where do I begin?
Well firstly, there is that realisation that all that 'trailblazing' I've been trying to do in my own school is nothing compared to what else is happening out there. I felt distinctly average in my skills, knowledge and provision. Below average, even. Requires Improvement....
Sunday, 17 January 2016
Seeing the world through different lenses - my battles with colour blindness
"Can you put this book away with the other scheme books, Jake?" I asked at the end of the day. There is a very good reason why such a task is beyond me, so my strategy of dealing with this is to...
