As I start to ask around I start to think I might be more out on a limb with this project based thing that I had thought. Here’s the thinking that got me out on that branch. 1. I can’t possibly teach them everything. History is too big! 2. Therefore it’s more important that they […]
Idea: Immersion Wall
One of the key things for me as I move towards a more project based approach is to try and get the student immersed in the period we’re studying a little more. So this week I tried an introductory lesson to Elizabeth I – had a massive pile of textbooks in the middle of the room, and […]
Sharing my resources – help yourself!
My very first teaching website had a section of my resources on it and it’s been on the to do list for ages. I’m a great believer in sharing resources. Not because these are great, but because I can’t help thinking if we all shared a few of the things we create then all our […]
New Years Resolutions.
Happy (belated) New Year! I don’t really do New Year Resolutions, but this year I’ve found a few ideas that I’m going to use to guide my thoughts and actions. The first is one of my favourite quotes: “It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness”. The second is Neil Gaiman’s New Year’s […]
The Dichotomy of Feedback
Although I haven’t read his new book (yet), I’ve been thinking quite a lot about John Hattie’s idea about giving feedback being the most effective tool in a teachers armory. That seems to be drawing a growing number of people into ever increasingly sophisticed rubrics – breaking down responses and drawing up ladders that show […]
Term one in review.
A few notes, as much for myself as anything else, about the various units from the last term. Year 7 The lessons introducing the ideas and concepts of History are pretty much sorted now, although I need to look again at the assessment task. I’d like to replace the one shot written test with some […]
Rebooting Review – Term One
This year I’ve been trying to ‘reboot’ my teaching with a more project / inquiry based approach. This is another of those posts I’ve been meaning to write since the Oct half term, and in fact several draft existed, but I rejected either for being overly naval gazing or too glib. Now, with a little […]
My submission to the Review of Digital Classroom Teaching Task and Finish Group
In September last year, the Education Minister Leighton Andrews announced a Task and Finish group to look into digital classroom teaching in Wales. We discussed a number of the issued raised in two special #addcym chats, but I was determined to make a submission myself. With the deadline looming, I’ve finally written it. I’ve included […]