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Last week of term! Man am I tired! 12 weeks down , with only 3 days to go. Then its all prep for my OE, so this blog will be changing to document some of my travels as I access bits of internet overseas. Anywho, all my junior classes have finished their cooperative practical group assessments and this was a surprisingly effective exercise for me to determine who works well and productively with others as well as how well the students can do scientific testing independently of teacher help. 1 class has done the end of topic test and 2 more classes are preparing for it. the most enjoyable engaging and effective revision I have found with these groups of girls is for me to write about 20 questions based off test stuff, then they get into groups of 2-3 with a mini whiteboard each. i read questions and they hold up whiteboard at same time for answer. Stealing between groups is accepted so you  MUST not shout out answers or let other groups see your board or they may steal. Whiteboards are fun, so it the light competition and they got into it really well, all 3 of my classes have done this and it seemed a success all around
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Last week of term!

Man am I tired! 12 weeks down , with only 3 days to go. Then its all prep for my OE, so this blog will be changing to document some of my travels as I access bits of internet overseas.

Anywho, all my junior classes have finished their cooperative practical group assessments and this was a surprisingly effective exercise for me to determine who works well and productively with others as well as how well the students can do scientific testing independently of teacher help.

1 class has done the end of topic test and 2 more classes are preparing for it.

the most enjoyable engaging and effective revision I have found with these groups of girls is for me to write about 20 questions based off test stuff, then they get into groups of 2-3 with a mini whiteboard each. i read questions and they hold up whiteboard at same time for answer.

Stealing between groups is accepted so you  MUST not shout out answers or let other groups see your board or they may steal.

Whiteboards are fun, so it the light competition and they got into it really well, all 3 of my classes have done this and it seemed a success all around

Grumpy

Today has been a hard day, teaching 4 classes and also working weekends all term is taking its tool on the second to last week, especially as I’m feeling a bit sick and everyone in my flat is sick.

I had a tough class, I got grumpy and so did they. 

Not great

But will keep going and will aim for a better day tomorrow.

I will apologise and I’m sure they will have taken my reaction to their behaviour on board and will be a bit more careful tomorrow :)

Easter weekend

Tumblr reflection
Thursday 4th April

It was amazing and disorientating to have the long Easter weekend, Good Friday, Easter Monday and each school also was closed on the Tuesday which also happened to be my birthday so that worked out very well

Coming back Wednesday and Thursday was slow to start but my classes have been excellent so far this week

Year 9 classes are looking at particle diagrams and distinguishing solid/liquid/gas and element/compound/mixture. I wanted to do this in a more interactive way with skittles or something but I couldn’t quite organise it or think exactly of how or why I would do it effectively.

When I review the unit I’ve made a note to plan and add an activity which would do this effectively

And I should use more animations they often work really well not only engaging but visual and can show more than explanations just can.

Reflections for week 8 and 9

After a PRT session with Gail my reflection focus has been on my year 10 class and the work I have done with that class to get the student to meet my expectations on:

  •   Punctuality
  •   Work effort and completion
  •   Attitude
  •  Participation
  •    Standard of work

I regularly had students wandering in late or truanting as well as non-completion of both homework and class tasks. This has gone into affecting attitude towards the work and me as a teacher.

In response I buckled down and repeatedly kept out lining my expectations having mini chats and also calling parents. When I had problems talking with students during class time if they weren’t coming to consequence times I decided to use a free 4th period to go to their class at the end and with that teacher’s permission talk to those students and if need be keep at lunch.

6 students received contact home by email or phone call and this (I’m sure alongside constant badgering and reminders of where my expectations sat) is what has started changing the class attitude and dynamic, these students are trying harder or even giving it a go in the first place, especially students who originally couldn’t be bothered to do practical work and once they have started giving it a go I am seeing greater engagement

I will continue to make contact home as needed, there  is only 3-4 weeks where these students have me before my contract ends but there is a lot we needs to do and a lot I want to do before I go.

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