Standardise the format is an important technique in Doug Lemov’s Teach like a Champion (TLAC). In this blog, I will explore what the technique means, why it is particularly important right now and what it looks like in practice.
Continue ReadingThe Kennet Literacy Policy (KLP)
We are really proud of our simple literacy policy, which is firmly embedded in the culture of the school. In short, we believe that the best way to develop pupils’ literacy is by embedding opportunities for high quality speaking, reading and writing in all areas of the curriculum. We are going to be producing some more training materials over the coming months, but here is a quick video recap:
Continue ReadingDeveloping Cultural Capital
A blog from Ms Baxter about the importance of developing cultural capital through the curriculum and some of the work taking place in MFL.
‘The guest said the building was like the Mary Celeste when she arrived’
‘The school was accused of having an Orwellian approach to CCTV’
Do you understand these references? If you do, that’s down to your cultural capital.
Continue Reading“Keeping it Simple” is more important than ever!
A blog from Katy Scott and Phil Griffiths about the importance of keeping the message simple when learning remotely.
In January I wrote a blog post all about the simplicity of the message. In the months that have followed we have experienced a seismic shift in everything we do both in and out of the classroom. I find myself writing this ‘electronically’, ‘remotely’ in ‘unprecedented’ times.
One point that stands out when I read my January blog post back is this; ‘With all that teaching and learning noise out there we need to keep things simple.’
After some of my early Zoom lessons, I reflected on how much I seemed to be talking, how I was gesticulating wildly at the screen and how I seemed to overly use stock phrases that made me cringe when I looked back. I don’t think I was keeping it simple for my pupils. Continue Reading
Learning in Lockdown pt5
In this series of blogs, colleagues from across the school will share their experiences of teaching remotely. I’ve asked them to consider the challenges they have faced and to reflect on some of the strategies they have used. The idea is to share some good ideas and provide some reassurance by recognising common struggles. Today I’ll share contributions from teachers in Computing and MFL.
Learning in Lockdown pt4
In this series of blogs, colleagues from across the school will share their experiences of teaching remotely. I’ve asked them to consider the challenges they have faced and to reflect on some of the strategies they have used. The idea is to share some good ideas and provide some reassurance by recognising common struggles. Today I’ll share contributions from teachers in History, and Maths.
Continue Reading
Learning in Lockdown pt3
In this series of blogs, colleagues from across the school will share their experiences of teaching remotely. I’ve asked them to consider the challenges they have faced and to reflect on some of the strategies they have used. The idea is to share some good ideas and provide some reassurance by recognising common struggles. Today I’ll share a contributions from Religious Studies and Business. Continue Reading
Learning in Lockdown pt 2
In this series of blogs, colleagues from across the school will share their experiences of teaching remotely. I’ve asked them to consider the challenges they have faced and to reflect on some of the strategies they have used. The idea is to share some good ideas and provide some reassurance by recognising common struggles. Today I’ll share contributions from teachers in PE and Geography.
Learning in Lockdown pt 1
In this series of blogs, colleagues from across the school will share their experiences of teaching remotely. I’ve asked them to consider the challenges they have faced and to reflect on some of the strategies they have used. The idea is to share some good ideas and provide some reassurance by recognising common struggles. Today I’ll share contributions from teachers in Drama, Biology and Maths: look out for more posts every day this week!
Responsive Teaching
Thinking about the best way of feeding back to pupils remotely, I am reminded of Dylan William’s suggestion that formative assessment would have been better off being called ‘responsive teaching’. As teachers we are often trying to stretch feedback to fit various purposes, but surely the primary function should be to provide the teacher with information so that they can respond through their teaching. Continue Reading
