How often do we as teachers end a lesson having spoken to all the members of our class?
There are always some who slip through the net and they are the ones who consistently do the work. Our time is taken with the behaviour issues and academic struggles but we miss the group of champions. Thats what they are...champions. They keep going when others have stopped and they stay focused when others are causing problems - yet we miss them.
Try and make sure you speak to all the students in your class - make them feel valued and welcome and your quiet champions will become vocal heroes.
Thursday 30 September 2010
Tuesday 28 September 2010
The creativity of daily life...
I posted earlier on Twitter 'Is reality a block to creativity or an untapped catalyst?'
You see I have listened to many people talk about creativity over the past 3 years and read a lot as well and it seems that a lot of people out there seem to pinpoint creativity for them as being the point when they let go of reality. A point when all the stresses of the day are pushed aside and they can just think.
I agree to some extent but what if they are all missing a trick? I don't propose that I am better than anyone else or that I have more knowledge of this subject than those who are published and making money on speaking circuits but what if?
The world we inhabit and move through on a daily basis is full of opportunities for creative thinking and ideas. When we have a problem we look for a solution we don't drift into our happy place and wait for inspiration...well not always!
What we react and interact with each day - our environment - maybe the biggest source of inspiration for creativity. Let me give you an example. A little while ago the route I take to school wasn't possible because of road works. So I began to weave my way through the back streets until I reached my destination. I didn't sit down and plan it, or turn on my phone sat nav and have some Aussie surfer dude lead to my destination. Yet I just dismissed this thought process that had taken place without a second thought.
Looking back it could have been a cool class exercise. OK Mr Johnson (not me) lives here and needs to get here but cant - whats the quickest route?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
That's just one example of what we do each day.
We are creative beings...I think we know that...we need to realise that it is something we ALWAYS are...be creative take risks live life to the fullest!
You see I have listened to many people talk about creativity over the past 3 years and read a lot as well and it seems that a lot of people out there seem to pinpoint creativity for them as being the point when they let go of reality. A point when all the stresses of the day are pushed aside and they can just think.
I agree to some extent but what if they are all missing a trick? I don't propose that I am better than anyone else or that I have more knowledge of this subject than those who are published and making money on speaking circuits but what if?
The world we inhabit and move through on a daily basis is full of opportunities for creative thinking and ideas. When we have a problem we look for a solution we don't drift into our happy place and wait for inspiration...well not always!
What we react and interact with each day - our environment - maybe the biggest source of inspiration for creativity. Let me give you an example. A little while ago the route I take to school wasn't possible because of road works. So I began to weave my way through the back streets until I reached my destination. I didn't sit down and plan it, or turn on my phone sat nav and have some Aussie surfer dude lead to my destination. Yet I just dismissed this thought process that had taken place without a second thought.
Looking back it could have been a cool class exercise. OK Mr Johnson (not me) lives here and needs to get here but cant - whats the quickest route?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
That's just one example of what we do each day.
We are creative beings...I think we know that...we need to realise that it is something we ALWAYS are...be creative take risks live life to the fullest!
Friday 24 September 2010
Time to take a risk...
When my Yr8 RE class came into the room today they found a single question on the board. After a period of general chatter they began to wonder why I wasnt saying anything and questions began to come out
'Do we copy that question down?'
'Is this for us?'
I responded by saying it was for them but they had to work out why it was on the board.
There was a moment of silence and then they began to talk about what they thought it was on the tables. After a period of discussion more questions.
'Can we use textbooks to answer this?'
I said they could and they started looking at the books eventually all the tables had the same book and were sharing information.
As the lesson went on they found out an answer and started to come up to show me.
I said to check it with each other so they went back and began to share info from their answers and add to the work they had done.
Eventually I took over and asked them what they had learnt.
What came out was that they had learnt how to find out their own answers and that working together was useful as they found out things from people they had missed and felt their answers were better after discussion.
Finally they created their own learing objectives linked into working together and taking responsibility for their own role in the classroom and the work they had produced.
Took a risk to do but very rewarding...
'Do we copy that question down?'
'Is this for us?'
I responded by saying it was for them but they had to work out why it was on the board.
There was a moment of silence and then they began to talk about what they thought it was on the tables. After a period of discussion more questions.
'Can we use textbooks to answer this?'
I said they could and they started looking at the books eventually all the tables had the same book and were sharing information.
As the lesson went on they found out an answer and started to come up to show me.
I said to check it with each other so they went back and began to share info from their answers and add to the work they had done.
Eventually I took over and asked them what they had learnt.
What came out was that they had learnt how to find out their own answers and that working together was useful as they found out things from people they had missed and felt their answers were better after discussion.
Finally they created their own learing objectives linked into working together and taking responsibility for their own role in the classroom and the work they had produced.
Took a risk to do but very rewarding...
Wednesday 22 September 2010
New starts sometimes need a jolt...
So coming back to school is never easy. The old joke of the mother talking to her son about the fact he had to go to school because he was the Headmaster is one I can relate to after the summer break.
However, sometimes all you need is a jolt to push you from a position of looking down to driving up.
If that is true for us as staff how much more is that true for the students we meet each day.
Target/challenge for you...
Give out praise to as many students as possible in your classes - and go overboard! Make them feel valued in your class and they will value your class!
However, sometimes all you need is a jolt to push you from a position of looking down to driving up.
If that is true for us as staff how much more is that true for the students we meet each day.
Target/challenge for you...
Give out praise to as many students as possible in your classes - and go overboard! Make them feel valued in your class and they will value your class!
Saturday 18 September 2010
Anagrams....
Found a great site for creating anagrams....and solving them!
Have a play...I found out the Peter Tatchell is 'Tell that creep'...quite subtle that one...as allegedly he is a creep!
I said allegedly!!
http://wordsmith.org/anagram/
Have a play...I found out the Peter Tatchell is 'Tell that creep'...quite subtle that one...as allegedly he is a creep!
I said allegedly!!
http://wordsmith.org/anagram/
Monday 6 September 2010
Does anyone know...????
We always seem to get loads of people round the area we live knocking on our door for charities etc... so we are obviously a targeted neighbourhood.
If anyone has any idea when opportunity may be coming into our area and knocking could they let me know as I dont want to be out...
If anyone has any idea when opportunity may be coming into our area and knocking could they let me know as I dont want to be out...
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