Category: Sharing Good Practice
Duncanrig Learning and Teaching Workshops- November 21st 2016
Dear colleagues,
Here is the sign up form for the next In-service Day. All you have to do is type in name, department, and choose your workshops. Easy. Please make sure you do this a.s.a.p. as I will cap numbers, especially for those presenting for the first time. Therefore, it is especially important that you choose two reserves workshops. You will see that there is a great selection on offer so it should be a really good day,
- Victoria Carey – FULL
- Sheena Oo – FULL
- Heather Logan –Peering through the curtains.
- Sam Forbes and S6 students – Flashcards to help with revision.
- CSB – Working with autism in the wider school.
- Pupil Support –Read 4 Write Gold- helping to develop reading and writing skills
- John Sexton (National Glow Advisor) – Open up the world of GLOW
- Audrey McPherson – Quick Results in a Practical setting
- Jane Ramsay –FULL
- Laura McFarlane – ‘ CSB – A day in the life of Room 1’
- Hayley Hamilton – FULL
- Allan Wilkie –A few ideas for making inventive use of the school library
- Kenny Pieper – FULL
- Barbara White – demonstrating how to create Cooperative Learning groups.
- Kirsten Rogers – Assessing Literacy Benchmarks through Class Dialogue”.
- Mark Gilroy – FULL
- Barbara Dougal – FULL
- Gerry Carleton – Reading for Information.
- Jo Whiteford – FULL
- Lauren Daly – FULL.
- Julie Richard/ Natalie Higney – ICT uses in the classroom.
- Chris Shanks – Conducting the Active Classroom.
- Scott Anderson – FULL
- Drew Sinclair – FULL
- Allan Martin – Ipad Animation.
Keynote Speeches from the Scottish Learning Festival 2016
Deputy First Minister’s opening keynote address, John Swinney MSP
Leading with Evidence for Educational Improvement, Dr Carol Campbell
Taking on the Impossible, Mark Beaumont, TV presenter and broadcaster
Fixing the past or inventing the future? Dr Yong Zhao, University of Oregon
Scottish College for Educational Leadership Annual Review
New from Scottish Government _ Enhancing Learning and Teaching Through the use of Digital Technology
10 Feedback Techniques That Make Students Think
GTCS – Educational e-books
You may already be aware that there are many e-books available on the GTCS website. This may be of interest if you are about to undertake PRD. Click here for the list-of-ebooks which you can download very simply.
Dylan Wiliam: The nine things every teacher should know
Scottish Book Trust -Being a Teenager: Bullying, Crushes and Mental Health
What is the one thing you do, consistently, every time you need the attention of your pupils?
Thanks for the excellent contributions. I’ve included as much as possible here. I’ve also added a short video clip and some further reading if required. Of course, these are merely suggested examples of good practice. If you’ve any other additions to make, either in writing or in link form, you can add them to the comments section.
- Sometimes I ring a hand bell – the novelty factor seem to work if it is an occasional thing
- With S1,2 and 3 I use a countdown. I stand at the front of the class and I countdown from 5,4,3,2,1.
- Call their attention and then wait, standing at the front of the class or for younger pupils I count down from 5 with my hand in the air.
- Simple instructions at the start of the lesson – something like, “OK folks, coats off, jotters open, have a look at the starter question.”
- After a short interval, I would then cajole/harangue any pupils not following these instructions
- I just pause and remain silent until they settle
……….”listen up!”…………………………………….Ask for it 3 times then pick out individual pupils who are still talking by saying their name.
- Lower school classes – clap or play a rhythm and they answer it back.
- A raised hand also works well.
- Playing a short piece of music and asking the pupils to be ready when it is finished is successful with my senior classes and allows pupils to get the materials they need and to finish off conversations.
- I am not sure consistency is the key and find that employing a variety of strategies to gain the attention of pupils works better.
- Lighting change if in the Drama studio or just hands up or 3-2-1 Freeze.
- I raise my presence, like Gandalf when he wants a hobbit to shut up. This is verbal and physical, but not magical.
- Whistle !! ( probs not appropriate for classroom)
- Count down works as well
- I have three different stages of this, depending on response:
“Can I have everyone’s full attention, please?” Then 3… 2…1… Then hold up arm , look at watch and silently count time (impacts on packing up time at end of period).
- A wee funny anecdote usually get their attention
- For S1 pupils I clap my hands in a rhythm and then they copy me! Used a lot in primary schools so thought it would translate easily to S1 pupils.
- Probably a couple of taps of the board-pen on the table, followed by “Your attention, please,” or similar polite but assertive phrase … Sometimes the raised hand helps.
- I always say that I will wait until I have everyone’s attention and don’t start until there is complete silence and everyone is looking at me. It was one of the first things I learned (the hard way of course!).
- I usually just ask for their full attention – normally I would stand up in front of them and look around as I ask them. If they have been working on something which is timed I remind them that time is running out and ask them to finish what they are doing to get their attention.
- Normally counting down from 3/5 depending on the class..
- In order to gain attention with Room 1 pupils I repeat their name and use visual cues wherever possible.
Further Reading:
The Craft of the Classroom by Michael Morland
Beyond Discipline by Alfie Kohn
Classroom Behaviour by Bill Rogers
Why Are You Shouting at Us? by Phil Beadle
Shorter Blog Posts: