I always find it quite amusing at this time of year....the holidays are fast coming to an end and like many other teachers, they did in fact end the moment I started thinking about the new year..a couple of weeks ago!! And that was late for me. But it never surprises me how many parents I bump into that say just the opposite..."oh the holidays felt like they would never come to an end!" or "Didn't those holidays just drag!" Some may think they go fast for us because we have to go back to work at the end of them...but that doesn't make sense because surely a lot of people go back to work at that time. I personally think it is because a lot of us have kids at home ourselves and we know how to keep children busy = time goes quickly! Would love to hear what you think on this one....
I've spent quite a bit of time moving class in the last couple of weeks....unpacking stuff and trying to find places for everything. I thought if I hadn't had to move rooms I would probably be planned for the whole first term already but then it came to my attention that as teachers we never feel like we are prepared enough...there is always something else we can do. Even though I've been teaching for 20 years! I know I'm not alone on this one as I've had many conversations with colleagues about this....would love to know why this is...would love to hear if you feel the same way and why you think that is?!!!
Better get back to what I'm supposed to be doing on the computer....planning!
Friday
Sunday
Something New
Just figured out something interesting in the weekend....there is one thing about education that never changes and that is......there is always something new in education! It may be a new curriculum, a new approach to teaching, new research that shows us that we should change the way we are doing something, new resources and then of course there is the whole new class that you get at the beginning of each new year!
Some new things as teachers we cope with relatively well....the new children for example. It is just the nature of our job and we know that it is going to happen regardless. Other things we know have to happen but we fight it all the way to the end. Then there are those things that change but might not necessarily improve the way we teach or the way children learn....so why do we need to do them?? Talking to colleagues recently I've discovered that there is the feeling that the National Standards are one of those things that we are left wondering....why do we need them?
I have read through quite a few of the pages relevant to me and my level however I can't see how it will benefit the children and their learning. From my experience teaching in various schools, teachers already communicate in plain english where the children are compared to their age group. Teachers already suggest to parents how they can support their children on a day to day basis. It is common knowledge among the teaching community that the parents that truly care about their child's eduacation take all of what you say on board and help their child....and the others....maybe they don't know how to help their child....or maybe they don't see it as important? I think the answer lies in parent education....ie the basics on how to parent, not on changing the way schools report to parents. I think there is real value in the home school partnership programmes being run in schools with literacy and numeracy. I also think that the education for parents has to be started long before the child enters school. So who is responsible for this??? The Parents as First Teachers (PAFT) programme was/is a fantastic programme but unfortunately not open to all parents...I believe it is depends on socioeconomic factors. Would love to hear others views on these changes.
For me...on to reports....will I change how I report to parents this year???? No because I feel I've always told parents in plain English where their child is at.
Some new things as teachers we cope with relatively well....the new children for example. It is just the nature of our job and we know that it is going to happen regardless. Other things we know have to happen but we fight it all the way to the end. Then there are those things that change but might not necessarily improve the way we teach or the way children learn....so why do we need to do them?? Talking to colleagues recently I've discovered that there is the feeling that the National Standards are one of those things that we are left wondering....why do we need them?
I have read through quite a few of the pages relevant to me and my level however I can't see how it will benefit the children and their learning. From my experience teaching in various schools, teachers already communicate in plain english where the children are compared to their age group. Teachers already suggest to parents how they can support their children on a day to day basis. It is common knowledge among the teaching community that the parents that truly care about their child's eduacation take all of what you say on board and help their child....and the others....maybe they don't know how to help their child....or maybe they don't see it as important? I think the answer lies in parent education....ie the basics on how to parent, not on changing the way schools report to parents. I think there is real value in the home school partnership programmes being run in schools with literacy and numeracy. I also think that the education for parents has to be started long before the child enters school. So who is responsible for this??? The Parents as First Teachers (PAFT) programme was/is a fantastic programme but unfortunately not open to all parents...I believe it is depends on socioeconomic factors. Would love to hear others views on these changes.
For me...on to reports....will I change how I report to parents this year???? No because I feel I've always told parents in plain English where their child is at.
A Teacher's Blog
Having spent the last couple of years getting classroom blogs up and running (very basic) I discovered that a lot of teachers out there have their own blogs. At first I wondered why but having read quite a few of them during the holidays I have decided that they are a great tool for reflection and professional chat....lets face it, we don't exactly get a lot of time for "learning conversations"during school hours.
Anyway....looking forward to a new journey and would be happy to hear from others out there along the way.
Anyway....looking forward to a new journey and would be happy to hear from others out there along the way.
Monday
Social Media
Thought this really sums up where the kids we are teaching are going in terms of social communication...how can we take them on this journey if we are not already on the road ourselves?!
Watch this.........Social Media Revolution
Watch this.........Social Media Revolution
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