I am inspired everyday by the educators that follow me on twitter!! I am so grateful that I have such a great following and my timeline allows me to participate in CPD every time I look at it! I used the video below in a twilight training session recently to help inspire other teachers to join twitter [...]
The current buzz word at the moment is “mini plenary”, I am not going to take credit for these but below are my top 50 mini Maths plenary ideas that can be used throughout the lesson to assess learning,demonstrate progress and intervene where necessary. List three things you have learned today List three things your neighbour [...]
How do I pass the Maths Numeracy Skills Test for QTS? The secret to passing the Maths numeracy skills test is that there is no secret. I have helped many struggling trainees in my time who were having problems passing the Maths numeracy skills test or were concerned about it, and this is the advice I have [...]
Question and Answers in teaching, How to deliver outstanding questioning in the classroom? Like with everything in life, keep things simple. I am not at any point saying that this is my idea or concept but for many years I have used the following idea for appropriate questioning for assessment for learning in the classroom. [...]
This blog entry tries to answer the question to why all educators should have a world map displayed in their class rooms. If you do not have one download a free world map image clipart picture below, laminate it, and display it at the front of your class. For Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural purposes [...]
SMSC stands for Spiritual Moral Social & Cultural. These are areas that should be covered and more importantly embedded into any school curriculum. These are things that OfSTED are currently looking out for when they go into a school which wants to be classified as “Outstanding”. Spiritual Examples: beliefs, religious or not, showing interest and respect for people’s [...]
One of the best hastags to follow as a teacher is the #edchat #ukedchat tags. Some amazing discussions and debates can be read and participated in every day. As a new teacher or trainee this is a hast tag or subject to follow. The #SLTChat and #MathChat conversation that happen every week are great CPD sessions [...]
The 6 Levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy, as demonstrated through various episodes of Seinfeld. This would be a great video to use for CPD and twilight training sessions. You might not want to use the whole video but use various parts that could emphasise a point or two.
First Follower: Leadership Lessons from a Dancing Guy This is an amazing video summarising why everyone can not be a leader and why if you really want to help start a movement than become the first follower!!!
Teachers live in a world were Acronyms are used on a day to day basis. Here a few common definitions; What does ST mean in teaching? LEA Statement What does SAP mean in teaching? School Action Plus What does SA mean in teaching? School Action What does A mean in teaching? SEN Aware What does [...]
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Reporting and Analysis for Improvement through School Self-Evaluation Online
Within formative assessment there are norm referenced assessment, criterion referenced assessment and “ipsative” assessment. Assessment defined as “Non reference” is where a learner is compared to another set of learners. An example of this “diagnostic” approach is CATS tests where learners are measured against an average for their age group. These tests are used to [...]
The ten principles of assessment for learning to guide classroom practice identified by the Assessment Reform Group [2002]: Assessment for learning should: 1. be part of effective planning for teaching and learning; 2. focus on how students learn; 3. be recognized as central to classroom practice; 4. be regarded as a key professional skill for [...]
All staff have a full and active part to play in protecting pupils from harm. School child protection policies vary but predominantly the aims are summarised below; To support the child’s development in ways that will foster security, confidence and independence. To raise the awareness of both teaching and non-teaching staff of the need to [...]