January 27, 2020
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Comments Off on Second Year
First semester of second year went in a flash! My summer was awful, I had two bereavment’s in one week and spent most of my summer away from my own children 600 miles away. Because of my awful summer I was really looking forward to having the opportunity to go out on another school placement […] Continue reading
November 11, 2019
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Comments Off on It’s not meetings… it’s CIRCLE TIME!
I always like a quick reflection here and there. And I always do love a few Christmas decorations here and there. But, you see, it’s only the 11th of November – lots more days left – and we are already seeing Starbucks sell your coffee because… ‘you really want that Christmas tree cup.’ I was … Continue reading “It’s not meetings… it’s CIRCLE TIME!” 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
September 18, 2019
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Comments Off on Learning from Life
Learning from Life Reflection Last year, I really surprised myself while on placement. I was so nervous– which was expected– but I was unaware of how at ease I soon became once I knew exactly what was expected of me and where everything was, and I just got carried away with the flow of the […] Continue reading
April 25, 2019
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Comments Off on Is Daydreaming Terminally Dated?
Blaze, what do you mean by “Is daydreaming terminally dated?”- I hear you ask. Daydreaming is a natural and often subconscious process for our brain and therefore is not something that can dwindle and become dated! Perhaps, yes. However, I beg to differ. The Oxford definition of daydreaming is: “A series of pleasant thoughts that distracts […] 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 15, 2019
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Comments Off on Conversing in the Classroom
I did not realise the importance of classroom talk until I tried to really imagine what atmosphere I would like my future classroom to have. Thinking back to my own experience in the primary classroom, as a pupil I did feel like I was contributing to and responsible for my own learning. The classroom was …
February 13, 2019
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Comments Off on Pedagogical Studies – Developing Classroom Talk
It is important to develop classroom talk as it allows communication barriers to be reduced and develops communication skills. It is key to developing open lines of communication between teachers and pupils, which in turn helps the teachers assess the pupils’ progress and ultimately improves the children’s learning. It is not enough to just develop […] Continue reading
February 13, 2019
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Comments Off on Pedagogical Studies – Restorative Approach
A restorative approach is focused around building strong positive relationships, in order to fix any problems or issues that arise within the classroom. Through this approach pupils can each have their say and feel like they are being heard, this can be achieved via questioning. This approach is about fixing the problem first rather than […] Continue reading
February 12, 2019
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Comments Off on Restorative Practice
The framework for the restorative approach starts with looking at values which are about the sense of responsibility then we look at skills such as, eye contact and questioning. Then we need to look at the process to find out if anyone is harmed, what happened, and how to repair that. It is important to […] Continue reading
February 10, 2019
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Comments Off on Restorative Practice: Nourishing, not Punishing
Restorative Practice is an important element of Behaviour Management because it is essential to children’s growth as young humans. Unfortunately it has sometimes been overlooked because of the time and effort it requires but I believe it is far more of a learning curve for children than punishment will ever be and will result in …
Continue reading “Restorative Practice: Nourishing, not Punishing”
February 4, 2019
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Comments Off on Don’t. Give. Up.
From the ages of pre-birth to three years old, a major part of the child’s emotional capacity is developed. Meaning that it is vital, from before the child is born to the day it turns three years old, that you maintain a positive attitude and positive behaviours when around the child. If this is not […] Continue reading
January 31, 2019
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Comments Off on Key features for a good science lesson
Key Features of a good science lesson: A good science lesson: is designed to stimulate the interest and motivation of children allows flexibility and choice teacher need to have strong subject expertise and be enthusiastic about their subject creates a positive ethos for learning includes opportunities to allow children to become actively involved in their … Continue reading “Key features for a good science lesson” Continue reading
January 29, 2019
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Comments Off on But what does learning look like?
They’re sitting quietly with chairs tucked in The lunches are done and the register complete The daily timetable has all been discussed But what does learning look like? The jotters are out and the pencils are sharp The learning intention is up on the board The textbooks are there if we need a fallback […] Continue reading
January 25, 2019
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Comments Off on Lesson Planning- A Work in Progress
For our health and well being workshops, we were instructed to create three lessons based on one of the Experiences and Outcome’s for that area of the curriculum. When I left that workshop I had already started to think of some activities that I could do– which I know now is the wrong way to […] Continue reading
January 24, 2019
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Comments Off on Reflection: Where am I now?
Dereks Lecture (pedagogical studies) – Reflections/Evaluation on professional practice. One of the most important moments for my professional development in semester one is the working together module. As a whole it was really good to work with other people from the same and different professions, building and developing a professional and also friendly partnership. I …
January 23, 2019
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Comments Off on My Love/Hate Relationship with Maths
Today’s maths input from Tara Harper confirmed but also questioned many of my pre-existing morals surrounding the subject. For me, the foundation block when thinking about maths, and the whole curriculum in fact, is identifying and recognising that every child will start at a different level of understanding and will develop that understanding in different […] Continue reading
January 23, 2019
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Comments Off on Reflections/Evaluations on Professional Practice
In 1983 Schon came up with the theory of reflection-on-action and reflection-in-action. Reflection-on-action refers to reflecting on something once you’ve come away from that situation however reflecting in-action refers to being in practice and reflecting there and then. I think these two ways of reflecting are important to recognise and you don’t always have to […] 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
