One of the wonderful things about being a teacher is explaining and celebrating what's happening in the world around us. This year, some of the children have been to visit the fantastic display of poppies...
#18 We will always remember them
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Five things I've learnt this half term
The reason I set up this blog was to charter my own journey of learning as I teach. In Year 6, we teach a rich and varied curriculum, and I'm always finding out fascinating things that I'd never been...
Sunday, 19 October 2014
#17 It's time for Fair Pay
In late 2009, I made the decision to be a teacher. My prime motivation was, and still is, to serve within a community, helping children to realise their potential. The pay and pension scheme was an added...
Saturday, 11 October 2014
#16 The most important schooling a child receives is at home
This week, I have put my Year 6 class through the joys of sitting the 2014 SATS assessments, just so we can gauge where they are at. Whilst most of the children accustomed themselves very well, there were one or two who really struggled.
One child in our Year 6 simply cannot read and write at the level...
Saturday, 4 October 2014
#15 RE is a vital part of a child's education
My Year 6's and I get into some pretty deep discussions.
As a class, they fall into one of three categories. The first group is a handful of vocal and opinionated girls. The second group is half a dozen thoughtful and reflective boys. The third group don't really care but listen politely
Yesterday,...
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
#14 You have to broad shouldered to be a Computing Coordinator
After completing my NQT year, I was expected to take on a subject leadership role. I was gently persuaded that my skills and expertise would be ideal for the role of Computing Coordinator.
In my
I envisioned...
Saturday, 13 September 2014
#13 A Tale of Two Parents
I often wonder what the most important professional relationship is for a teacher. Is it with the Headteacher? Is it with fellow teachers? Could it be with a Teaching Assistant? Oh, what about the children? (Probably best to include that one).
Or how about this: parents.
On Thursday this week I had...
Sunday, 7 September 2014
#12 Teaching ISN'T the most important part of the job
This is pretty controversial, so prepare yourself: Teaching is NOT the most important role of the teacher.
After a six week break, many children are not ready for school. Some can't wait to get back. For others it's an escape from what can be an unhappy and even harmful home life.
So far, I've dealt...
Saturday, 30 August 2014
#11 You can say no
OK. I didn't do it. I got nominated for the Ice Bucket Challenge, and I declined. I paid money to a charity of my choice, but politely said no.
That's not to say I haven't enjoyed the spectacle....
Saturday, 23 August 2014
Guided Reading - Iraq
In my previous post, I posed some ideas as to how teachers could interact with the current situation in Iraq. Well, here is a guided reading activity that I have written, available through my page on...
Thursday, 14 August 2014
#10 Schools can change the world
Looking at the news this week, I've been feeling really down.
In the Middle East, Palestinian terrorists are attacking Israel, and Israel are retaliating by bombing Gaza into submission. In Iraq,...
Friday, 8 August 2014
#9 Age is no barrier
The Commonwealth Games were a resounding success. As the euphoria subsides, there is one memory which stands out for me. It was the image Steve Way, a super-slim English marathon runner who had just achieved...
Thursday, 31 July 2014
#8 Franz Ferdinand's assassination is a compelling story in itself
Archduke Franz Ferdinand
I've always known that Franz Ferdinand's death triggered World War One, but didn't know much more about it. I'm currently...
Thursday, 12 June 2014
#7 The World Cup should be celebrated in the classroom.
It's June 1990. I am emerging from the newsagent with my pack of World Cup '90 stickers. The sun is beating down on this glorious June morning as I walk the short distance to school. I open the pack...
Sunday, 4 May 2014
#6 It's NOT all about the children
SATS. The very word fills most people in schools with a resigned sense of dread.
As an NQT, I couldn't believe it when I was offered a role as Year 6 teacher, helping children through this crucial...
Tuesday, 29 April 2014
Schools aren't as safe as we'd like to hope
#5 Schools aren't as safe as we'd like to hope
At this time yesterday morning, she would have been preparing for a new week in school. No doubt she would have been going over her lessons for...
Saturday, 26 April 2014
Never save cutting and sticking until the end of term
#4 Never save cutting and sticking until the end of term
With a hectic school schedule, and short lesson times, the temptation is to wait until the end of term for the children to glue everything into their books.
Don't do it. Just don't. It will be chaos. Their books will look like a result...
The best books have a happy ending.
#3 The best books have a happy ending
If you read just one book to your Year 6 class, make it this one.
'Wonder' by RJ Palacios is an emotional rollercoaster. It follows the story of a child...
Tuesday, 15 April 2014
Meat is Murder
#2 Meat is Murder
Morrissey is a famous vegan. As a big fan of his, I've still found some of his rants quite amusing. Until now.
A circle time discussion of class pets was meant as a light-hearted...
Monday, 7 April 2014
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
April Fool
#1 Some word problems are impossible.
April Fool's Day. Can teachers join in? Is it permissible to fib to your class for one morning, for the sake of entertainment? Well, we do it for Father Christmas...
