Morag Simpson, Physical Education Lead Officer in Falkirk Council Education Services, Curriculum Support Team has been engaging in series of meetings supporting the delivery of quality physical education in Falkirk primary schools. These meetings with Headteachers of the Larbert and Falkirk cluster primary schools were to explore a variety of ways in which schools were able to meet the delivery of the 2 hour target to fulfil the pupil entitlement. These discussions provide the means to share different solutions to the different contexts in relation to staffing, accomodation and resources to name but a few.
Category: Falkirk Council Educational Establishments
Quality Physical Education -2 hour target
Morag Young, Physical Education Lead Officer, in Falkirk Council Education Services, Curriculum Support Team has been engaging in series of meetings supporting the delivery of quality physical education in Falkirk primary schools. These meetings with Headteachers of Denny and Graeme cluster primary schools were to explore a variety of ways in which schools were able to meet the delivery of the 2 hour target to fulfil the pupil entitlement. These discussions provide the means to share different solutions to the different contexts in relation to staffing, accomodation and resources to name but a few.
New Standard for Full Registration
Caroline Craig, Secondary Probationer Supporter of Falkirk Council’s Curriculum Support Team is supporting our Secondary Schools in developing a standardised approach to probationary year observations for next session, in light of the new Standard for Full Registration. This will ensure that there is a consistent approach during observations of our probationers ensuring that pupils within Falkirk Council are being taught to the highest standard.
Shiny new database – making the work experience process easier
Lorraine Hamilton, Work Experience Administrator and Health & Safety Assessor, Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Team has been working with partners and schools to move to a new database which should make the process easier for all.
The new database (WorkIT) will be up and running for the new session and Work Experience Co-ordinators and Administrators will received training in May/June. Comments made by one school are:
‘appears more user friendly’
‘modern look to it which may appeal to and encourage pupils to input more info.’
‘extended placement info seen clearly’.
Using a Smart Board to Support Active Learning in Primary Mathematics
Anne Forrest from Steljes presented a continuing professional development course to staff from a wide range of primary schools in Falkirk on “Using a Smart Board to Support Active Learning in Primary Mathematics.” This was organised and supported by Malcolm Wilson, ICT Curriculum Development Officer in Falkirk Council Education Services Curriculum Support Team.
This provided hands-on guidance to making use of many of the interactive features of Smart Notebook software to support staff to make learning and teaching in mathematics more engaging for pupils.
Reference was made to resources available to download for free at Smart Exchange. Smart Notebook Express provides a means to access some of the tools in Smart Notebook online.
The presentation by Anne Forrest, along with a host of other resources colleated by Malcolm Wilson to support Falkirk teachers to be able to download the software for use at home, can be found by clicking on the Falkirk Glow Group for ICT in Learning and Teaching.
Comments from participants included:
“Lots of interactive ways to engage learners – opportunities to try these out were useful.”
“Excellent ideas to take away.”
“Very good tips on using the Smart Board in class.”
“Excellent mix of information and practical activity.”
“Extremely helpful course which has provided a vast amount of knowledge and resources to help deliver engaging lessons.”
Supporting the delivery of Quality Physical Education
Christine Snedden, Curriculum Support Officer Effective Learning and Teaching Health and Wellbeing, in Falkirk Council Education Services, Curriculum Support Team has been engaging in series of meetings supporting the delivery of quality physical education in Falkirk primary schools. These meetings with Headteachers of Braes cluster primary schools were to explore a variety of ways in which schools were able to meet the delivery of the 2 hour target to fulfil the pupil entitlement. These discussions provide the means to share different solutions to the different contexts in relation to staffing, accomodation and resources to name but a few.
ICT Resources to Support Physical Education in the Primary School
Malcolm Wilson, ICT Curriculum Development Officer in the Curriculum Support Team of Falkirk Council Education Services, presented a session with class teachers and visiting specialist teachers of physical education on ICT resources to support teaching physical education in the primary school.
Dance
The session started by everyone having go at the dance steps provided with the dance mat to all Falkirk primary schools (along with the free software installed on all PCs). More information about that can be found here: http://glo.li/L7znnN
Glow Groups for teachers of PE
The session included time to browse the planning and support materials for teachers of PE which can be found in various Glow groups which included the following:
Falkirk Glow group for teachers of PE http://glo.li/e2ZeBf
Curriculum for Excellence Expanded Experiences & Outcomes (Falkirk Planners) PE http://glo.li/WKnowe
Falkirk PE resources in Glow group for Health & Wellbeing http://glo.li/gov97Y
National Glow group for teaching PE http://glo.li/Y93cGJ
Online Resource Sites
Online resources which were highlighted included the following:
www.kidnetic.com ideas for classroom, hall, outdoors or in the home – includes on-screen dance robot simulator
http://cybraryman.com/physicaled.html Cybraryman resources by category
www.pescholar.com PE Scholar
www.physedsource.com PhysEdSource – categories include gymnastics, sport/games, individual, outdoor, dance, health, research
www.thephysicaleducator.com/resources/ includes games skills cards/infographics posters, apps, blog, podcast, pupil recognition cards
www.teachingideas.co.uk/pe/contents.htm crowd-sources ideas shared by teachers, warm-up and cool-down ideas, games, sports.
Smartboard Smart Notebook Resources
SMART Board SMART Notebook PE resources can be found in Notebook by clicking on “Gallery” – enter “sport” in search box http://glo.li/rQ3eRl
Blog about class PE
Creating a class PE blog can help raise profile of PE, promote positive pupil esteem, share learning of PE activities Resources to get staretd blogging can be found here: http://glo.li/qMeQl3
Activity Timers and Random Name Selectors
A host of online or downloadable countdown timers & stopwatches, and random name, group or activity selectors, can be found here: http://glo.li/jU9ja0
Teachers of PE on Twitter
Twitter provides access to a Professional Learning Network of colleagues sharing PE teaching ideas. Resources and a guide to setting up a Twitter account and how to use can be found here: http://glo.li/qpaM79. A short video guide “Twitter for PE Teachers” including how to get started, how to find others, use of Hashtags and more can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMjGcrBJK-c
QR codes and PE
QR codes provide quick access via smartphone QR code scanner to videos or explanatory onlien resources without any need to type in long website addresses. For examples of use of printed Step-by-step guides linked by QR codes to associated PE skills demonstration videos follow this link:
http://www.thephysicaleducator.com/resources/skill-posters/
This Video shows a report of one teachers use at a school fitness trail http://glo.li/YU4beZ
For resources to find out how to make you own QR codes follow this link here: http://glo.li/z1JVmB
Making Videos to show PE skills
Use digital video cameras for pupils to see their performance after they have finished and to compare it against their peers or against videos of professional athletes. Resources here for video cameras: http://glo.li/gTmdzS. Resources for editing video: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/fa/ICTFalkirkPrimaries/2010/09/16/video-editing-with-windows-live-movie-maker/Resources here for making videos from still image photographs: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/fa/ICTFalkirkPrimaries/2011/03/09/photostory-3/
Comments from participants included:
“I intend to use Photostory 3 especially for gymnastics.”
“Excellent course!”
Active Literacy Network Meeting – Reading
Sharon Wallace, Effective Teaching and Learning Teacher, Curriculum Support Team was delighted to host the second Active Literacy Network meeting of this year at Camelon Education Centre. As usual, attendance was fantastic and colleagues were keen and enthusiastic to hear the latest Literacy developments, share good practice and network with colleagues. News was shared about the forthcoming P6/7/S1 packs, as well as links to useful websites relating to reading and updates relating to the Early Years conference. Colleagues from Stenhousemuir Primary and Bonnybridge Primary shared good practice from their schools. Colleagues considered using ‘film’ as a text, as well as using resources such as the Comprehension triangles for each stage.
Comments from colleagues included:
‘As usual, inspiring!’
‘Great getting input from teachers sharing good practice!’
‘These courses are fab and really support us!’
‘Enjoyed professional dialogue with other teachers’
‘As always, taking away some new ideas and an ‘enthusiasm’ boost!’
Active Literacy – Effective Transition at the Early Level
Sharon Wallace, Effective Teaching and Learning teacher, Curriculum Support Team led an active literacy workshop at the Early Years Conference. The workshop explored ways Nursery and P1 are working together to ensure a smooth transition for literacy development. Good practice was shared by Camelon Nursery and Carmuirs Primary School and this was well received by colleagues. 
