February 4, 2020
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Comments Off on Teaching Across Subject Boundaries – Favorite Topic
When I was in Primary 7, we had two big topics which I really enjoyed. One of these was World War II, and the other was Australia. I enjoyed these topics hugely because they were very interactive and we as a class were ‘thrown’ into living and experiencing the lives that people relating to each […] Continue reading
October 8, 2019
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Comments Off on Captain Scott – Visualising His Life through the Drama Lens
This piece of writing is a submission for my Expressive Arts E-Portfolio linked to my Assignment. Task: Choose a character from the past (it doesn’t have to be a famous person). Research that character and the time that they lived. Use the drama convention Visualisation to explore what it would be like to be that […] Continue reading
October 4, 2019
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Comments Off on Teaching for Equity and Wellbeing: Lecture-related Post
(Sorry… the title today is rather uninspiring… so if you can think of one that’s utra-inspiring… feel free to inspire me!) Reading. On. Poverty – and closing the attainment gap. Oh, and emotional and physical health in the classroom. It’s all weighty stuff because … as teachers… we do not possess the super-power of … Continue reading “Teaching for Equity and Wellbeing: Lecture-related Post” Continue reading
October 3, 2019
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Comments Off on How Deferral Enabled Me To Thrive, Not Cope
With the ‘Give Them Time’ campaign in the midst of lobbying government, I feel there is no better time to discuss deferral and why I agree that funding should be open to all those who need it. 15 years ago my wonderful mother walked into my nursery, and requested my deferral for the following year. […] Continue reading
August 23, 2019
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Comments Off on IB reflective activity 4
Throughout this introductory unit I have been comparing both the PYP (IB Primary Years Programme) and the CfE (Curriculum for Excellence). I have discovered that there are many similarities and differences between the two which I will discuss in this post. Similarities After reflecting on the PYP information document, the PYP video, the CfE curricular […] Continue reading
June 23, 2019
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Comments Off on IB Reflective Activity 3
Developing your understanding of the history and philosophies of the IB. There are many IB Education Trends from the 1960s that also align with the CfE in many ways. For example, ‘Student Choice’ aligns with the CfE because one of the principles in CfE is ‘Personalisation and Choice’. This trend is vital in both IB […] Continue reading
June 20, 2019
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Comments Off on IB Reflective Activity 2
Developing your understanding of the IB Learner Profile The IB Learner Profile attributes are as follows: Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced and Reflective. The CfE’s four capacities are as follows: Successful Learners, Responsible Citizens, Confident Individuals and Effective Contributors. Between IB and CfE, there are many similarities and differences between […] Continue reading
June 20, 2019
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Comments Off on IB Reflective Activity 1
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a not-for-profit foundation, motivated by its mission to create a better world through education (IB, 2015). From researching it further, it has made me realise connections IB and the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE). The aims of IB are that it centres on learners, develops effective approaches to teaching and learning, […] Continue reading
April 23, 2019
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Comments Off on Semester 2
Another semester that went too quickly! As expected, I have given up my job to concentrate on University and to be able to focus 100% on my placement. Semester 2 was spent focussing on Pedagogy and the Curriculum. I already knew a bit about pedagogy but mostly in an Early Years setting. This did give […] Continue reading
February 7, 2019
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Comments Off on Key Features of a Good Science Lesson
With inspiration from Sciences ‘Principles & Practice’ and ‘The Sciences 3 – 18’ here are some of the things that we came up with as key features of a good science lesson. Stimulate interest in pupils and staff flexibility and choice (Variety) Motivation, challenging, engaging and enjoyable Consistency not just random facts Actively involved – […] Continue reading
January 31, 2019
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Comments Off on Opening up to the world of science
I have found the first two science inputs to be invaluable for this stage of my teacher training. Not only have I learned science knowledge but I will have gained information and advice which I shall apply to all aspects of my teaching. I am now eager to start my own investigating and to teach […] Continue reading
January 24, 2019
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Comments Off on Out with the Myths and in with the Maths!
When I first got to our first Maths input, I was really looking forward to it as I haven’t attended a Maths class in four and a half years (AHHH). Tara started us off with drawing a scale and we had to mark the scale depending on how we felt about teaching Maths- 10 being […] Continue reading
January 23, 2019
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Comments Off on Maths
Maths has always been one of my favourite subjects! Although I loved it, I wouldn’t say I was amazing at it, I really had to work on different topics to improve my grades and understanding in school, but it was always something so rewarding to me. Every problem is like a puzzle – there is …
January 23, 2019
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Comments Off on Food and Health
Familarise yourself with First & Second Level Health and Wellbeing Experiences and Outcomes. develop my self-awareness, self-worth and respect for others meet challenges, manage change and build relationships experience personal achievement and build my resilience and confidence understand and develop my physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing and social skills understand how what I eat, … Continue reading “Food and Health” Continue reading
January 21, 2019
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Comments Off on Reading, Writing, Listening and Me
For me, primary school was so long ago that I find it hard to recall details of learning rather than all the time I spent with my friends. However, I do have a few memories of some aspects of learning reading, writing and listening although not so much on the talking but I guess that […] Continue reading
January 21, 2019
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Comments Off on Dancing My Heart Out
When I first discovered that we would be doing dance, I naturally went into panic mode. This was purely because when I thought of dance I expected Scottish Country dancing, and as I did not go into school in Scotland I was certain I’d have no idea what to do. Thankfully, to my relief, it […] Continue reading
January 21, 2019
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Comments Off on Starring Role in ICT
Fourteen days into the semester and I have already been introduced to my first handful of subjects with many more to come. The first subject I had for this semester was ICT, taught by the very enthusiastic Sharon Tonner-Saunders. Within the first class we were introduced into the world of animation and how we can […] Continue reading
January 21, 2019
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Comments Off on Reflections for Me…
One of the most important moments in semester one for my professional development was actually at the beginning of semester two when we received our results for the values essay. For me, semester one was full different emotions. In the beginning, I was quite relaxed, I understood the majority of what was said in the […] Continue reading
January 18, 2019
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Comments Off on Relationships
Suzanne Zeedyk is a current theorist who explores the study of neuroscience. Zeedyk explains how important the pre-birth stage is as well as the development outside the womb and stressed that development of the brain doesn’t stop when children are aged 3 within her Youtube clip. Suzanne Zeedyk believes neuroscience helps babies brains function properly … Continue reading “Relationships” Continue reading
January 17, 2019
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Comments Off on Dance is Diverse
Going into this dance workshop I was nervous- to say the least. It was my first workshop this semester, therefore didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know whether we were going to have to learn and perform a dance routine or learn dance steps and moves that we could teach the class. On reflection, […] Continue reading
