February 15, 2016
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Comments Off on What does my body say ?
Having watched the video on body language it became apparent to me that there are various ways in which you can use your body to convey what you mean. The approach that the teacher used at the end of her lesson to get the children organised would be highly effective to use within my placement […] Continue reading
February 14, 2016
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Comments Off on Science Literacy
After a recent input on the ‘Science Literacy’ we were asked, in groups, to produce an informative short piece related to the input. Not only was this to consolidate what we had learned but also to develop our understanding, awareness and appreciation of what ‘Science Literacy’ really is and how fundamental it is within the […] Continue reading
February 12, 2016
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Comments Off on Eportfolio: what happens when you change the platform and change the culture?
In late 2013 I returned to work at the University of Dundee as a lecturer on the MA (Hons) & PGDE(P) teacher education courses having spent seven years working at National level with Learning Teaching Scotland/Education Scotland. One of the first tasks that I was faced with on my return was to hold individual tutorial […] Continue reading
February 12, 2016
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Comments Off on Our Understanding of Scientific Literacy.
Following our last science input Lauren Summers, Amy Turner, Sarah Stewart and myself have been working collaboratively to produce a piece of writing that reflects our understanding of Scientific Literacy. This exercise helped to increase our understanding of this concept and gave us an opportunity to work with fellow students who we may not have […] Continue reading
February 11, 2016
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Comments Off on A colourful, organised and engaging atmosphere.
My Ideal Classroom. It’s difficult to design a classroom on a small single A4 piece of paper. I have always had this picture in my head of my perfect classroom since I was a little girl and slowly I am getting closer to that dream. I have designed my ideal classroom to suit 22 Boys […] Continue reading
February 9, 2016
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Comments Off on “Design your own classroom…” YES!!!
As part of our Tutor Directed task for classroom organisation and management, we were asked to design our own classroom. I was thrilled at the prospect of this. As a young child, and even way into high school, I’d always be excited when walking into a classroom and seeing the tables had been moved around. […] Continue reading
February 7, 2016
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Comments Off on Hello! Bonjour! Hola! Guten tag!
Languages. We all have one but should we just stop at that? I believe that as teachers, we would be depriving our pupils if we did not incorporate other languages of the world into our classroom. It is ever more apparent that these days huge numbers of people do not just live in the country […] Continue reading
February 5, 2016
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Comments Off on Enthusiasm, knowledge or experience
I had a really interesting experience this week that has made me think about perception, my practice and whether experience and enthusiasm for one’s subject is enough. I had the opportunity to work with the MA2 students this week, not in my capacity as a lecturer in education but as someone talking about their experience […] Continue reading
February 1, 2016
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Comments Off on Art: Processes, Materials and MESS!!
I really enjoyed getting stuck into my first Art input this morning and it was certainly a great way to start the day! Fiona McGarry allowed us to experiment with a vast array of materials that would likely be found within a primary school. We were to think about different ways we could use each […] Continue reading
January 31, 2016
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Comments Off on Exploring the world around us through Science
Science but NOT exactly what its all about. What about this- Science can be simply be incorporated into the classes daily or weekly activities. It allows children to be involved and experiment. It allows the children to question. EXPLORING SCIENCE in the classroom. Well… I was one of many who really dreaded having to […] Continue reading
January 30, 2016
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Comments Off on Upstart?
On the 26th January I went to a talk about a campaign called Upstart. I wasn’t very sure what the talk was going to be about but I thought that I would be able to see what is happening in Scotland with regards to education. I found the talk interesting and it brought up ideas […] Continue reading
January 29, 2016
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Comments Off on Just Breathe…
When previously considering the role of the teacher, I was guilty of envisioning WHAT they were teaching their class… However, since the very first lecture, it has become very apparent that, yes, the content of a lesson is important, but so is HOW the lesson is delivered. The presence of the class teacher is important […] Continue reading
January 28, 2016
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Comments Off on Building Financial Resilience: Is it our responsibility?
In a recent Mathematics and Science input, we were very fortunate to be visited by guest lecturer Brenda Rochead who works for the Scottish Financial Education Group. The input focused on how we can raise financially capable children in a society rife with poverty and undesirable financial situations through education starting in the early years. […] Continue reading
January 28, 2016
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Comments Off on Performing at the Royal Albert Hall!
For those of you who are not big music fans, don’t worry I’m not away to turn into some sort of super geeky band nerd! I just wanted to share this story to make those who are feeling a bit apprehensive about teaching music in their class not alone! “You’re going to the Albert Hall!!” […] Continue reading
January 28, 2016
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Comments Off on History, Geography or Modern Studies….?
When I think of Social Studies my mind immediately goes back to first and second year at high school. We would have an hour of Geography and an hour of History every week for two years. When choosing our standard grade subjects we were only allowed to choose one from the following; History, Geography or […] Continue reading
January 27, 2016
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Comments Off on Upstart Dundee Launch
Upstart is a campaign for a nationwide moment to push back the starting age for school in Scotland from 4 or 5 years old to 7 years old to allow time for play and for children to be a child for as long as possible. Queue the mad panic from parents. But just wait… There […] Continue reading
January 26, 2016
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Comments Off on Lights, Camera, Action!
After I overcame my initial trepidation I found my first drama workshop to be fun and informative. Nikki Doig opened my eyes to the many ways in which drama can be utilized to enhance learning across all areas of the curriculum as well as showcasing the importance of learning drama itself. The part of the […] Continue reading
January 26, 2016
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Comments Off on My Story Box Experience
While on placement within a primary 4 class last year, I created a story box based on the book ‘The Worst Witch’. When I was a child, I wasn’t a big fan of reading but instead read only when I was forced too by my teacher or parents. However, ‘The Worst Witch’ was one book […] Continue reading
January 26, 2016
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Comments Off on I’d better get out there and do it then!
Geography in school was something that was never really covered – or at least not in my primary school. History was something covered well and to an extent mostly just about the local area – that was 60 miles away (if I did culloden once at school I did it a thousand times!). The most […] Continue reading
January 26, 2016
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Comments Off on Is it really that bad?…
For me, maths is probably one of my weaker subjects. Not because I can’t do it, but more because I find it the least enjoyable. I’m probably most feared to teach maths because I am not very confident in the subject. Throughout Primary School there wasn’t a subject that I particularly didn’t enjoy. I was […] Continue reading
