October 10, 2017
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Comments Off on MakeyMakey – learning beyond subject boundaries
Creating a visual stimulus to engage children in learning and to hook them in. Take a look. In this video are some fantastic examples of creating an inclusive learning space where the learners can take leadership and develop a form of inquiry. Every group presented a different take on using Makeymakey as a […] Continue reading
October 9, 2017
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Comments Off on Conquering Maths Anxiety
Many of us will be familiar with the shear panic, the sweaty palms, the headaches and the confusion that comes alongside attempting mathematical problems but not many will be aware that this is a diagnosable condition and is extremely prevalent among the population. Maths anxiety has been defined as “a feeling of tension, apprehension, or […] Continue reading
October 8, 2017
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Comments Off on Pink or Blue?
Recently, I watched a short video based on the toys in which children play with (above). However it is not the children who intentionally pick these toys, it’s the adults surrounding them that subconsciously repeat this throughout society. But why does there need to be a divide between girls and boys toys? As a […] Continue reading
October 8, 2017
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Comments Off on An Apple for the Teacher
Recently, in RME sessions, we have been thinking about morals, and the idea of right and wrong – both from religious and non-religious perspectives. While discussing this, I couldn’t help but think of a wonderful lesson that I came across on the internet a while back. In this lesson, a teacher used 2 simple apples … Continue reading An Apple for the Teacher → Continue reading
October 6, 2017
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Comments Off on “Maths is hard”
Why is Maths Hard? What is it that makes maths appear to be a hard subject? Is it all the rules you must follow or all the formulas you need to remember? Is it the focus on accuracy or all the strange unfamiliar symbols? Most people you ask will tell you they found maths difficult […] Continue reading
October 6, 2017
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Comments Off on Place Value, Number Systems and Their Complexities
Following a workshop this week on the concept of place value, I was inspired to write a blog post on the difficulties and complexities found in these seemingly simple, basic concepts of maths. As someone who learned mathematics in a procedural fashion, it is very difficult for me to wrap my head around the concepts […] Continue reading
October 4, 2017
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Comments Off on Reading, Writing and Listening in the Early Years
In my previous post (Early Years and Language), I spoke about how children recognise speech from birth, and how complicated the English language is. In a sort of ‘part 2’ of Early Years and Language, I thought I would speak about how I have struggled with speech myself and the struggles I am having personally …
Continue reading “Reading, Writing and Listening in the Early Years”
October 4, 2017
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Comments Off on Maths Anxiety
I always enjoyed mathematics all the way through Primary, and never once felt anxious about participating in it. Even during the early years of High School, I still had no worries about maths and liked going to classes. This all began to change around about 3rd/4th year, when the maths became harder and more stressful. […] Continue reading
October 4, 2017
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Comments Off on Fibromyalgia and Me
Not many people know, but in the past few months, I was diagnosed with a condition called “Fibromyalgia”. The NHS describes fibromyalgia as “a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body”. Although this is the basis of the condition, it does not quite capture all that I need to live with. I thought […] Continue reading
October 4, 2017
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Comments Off on Using the TASC wheel in planning
TASC stands for ‘Thinking Actively in a Social Context’. This is an approach which can be used when planning, to create experiences that will challenge and engage students – making links with social learning theories such as Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development. In RME, we were asked to have a go at using the … Continue reading Using the TASC wheel in planning → Continue reading
October 3, 2017
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Comments Off on Maths? Creative?
To me, maths was always equations, algebra, volume etc. It was a class which I dreaded going to in school. In the first half of the lesson, we would be taught something new and then in the second half we would be putting what we have just learnt into practice by doing textbook work. If […] Continue reading
October 3, 2017
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Comments Off on Making Maths Fun
Last week in an input with Eddie we explored how to make maths fun in our classrooms. The activity we did involved looking at tessellation – fitting shapes together to make a pattern with no gaps. We had to cut out the shapes we wanted – from a choice of triangles, squares and pentagons – […] Continue reading
September 30, 2017
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Comments Off on Music beyond sounds
CROSS CURRICULAR LEARNING IN MUSIC (3 hours) Consider how you can make links between music and other curricular areas. Choose as many subject areas as you wish, and for each, create activities that draw upon musical knowledge to enhance the learning. Music and Art – Create a picture to go alongside the piece they have […] Continue reading
September 30, 2017
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Comments Off on Maths Anxiety
Mark H. Ashcraft describes maths anxiety as “a feeling of tension, apprehension, or fear that interferes with math performance” (2002, p. 181). Math anxiety is a recognized stress disorder which, according to research shown in the attached video, 20% of our population suffer from (Turner & Carroll, 1985). It ranges from feelings of mild tension […] Continue reading
September 29, 2017
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Comments Off on Resource Allocation Input
Recently, our group of MA1 took part in a workshop centred around resource allocation. During this workshop we were split into five groups, and each group was given a resource pack with the intention of using the resources inside to build a support kit for new students starting university. Upon giving us our resource packs, […] Continue reading
September 28, 2017
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Comments Off on Say Cheese!
Using Photography in teaching (4 hours)(Art) Digital photography can be a useful tool and activity in the primary classroom. Almost everyone uses it, often without any formal teaching. Produce an illustrated guidance poster, video or hand-out for primary teachers and or pupils in the use of this medium. Consider aspects such as image quality, subject […] Continue reading
September 28, 2017
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Comments Off on Social Hierarchy – Resource Allocation Task
As part of the first Values Workshop, we were split into 5 groups, each of which received an envelope containing stationary items. The aim of the task was to produce a pack, using the resources in your envelope, for new MA1 students. This would be given to them at the start of their University journey. […] Continue reading
September 28, 2017
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Comments Off on Resource Allocation Workshop Reflection
In the workshop, each group were given a pack of resources which -unbeknown to each other- contained less resources than the next. We were then asked to create a product for new students that would be useful during their first few weeks at university. Our group were lucky enough to be given the largest number of […] Continue reading
September 28, 2017
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Comments Off on Resource Allocation Task (MA1)
We were split into groups and each group was given an envelope of materials to create something for new first years. When Derek gave us the task I thought it seemed simple enough. I knew that it wasn’t intended to be a really challenging activity and that the underlying purpose was to encourage us to […] Continue reading
September 26, 2017
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Comments Off on Science or art, art and science
Bubble, Bulge and Bleb. Somewhat a rather interesting tittle, have a little look. When you visit a gallery, you expect to see art work, but it is very unusual and rather creative for me to see such modern art in a science format. But at Dundee Life Sciences, Bubble, Bulge and Bleb, Artists […] Continue reading
