Posted in Learning and teaching on Feb 2nd, 2008 1 Comment »
I wrote the following a few years ago after speaking to some pupils of Dave Shanks about how he made their learning so successful - see Post
THE TEACHER
Passing through elongated hours
Like flat spinning stones,
Skimming across the surface,
Touching down and lifting off.
Sleeping with our eyes open.
Busily doing nothing.
He knew,
And we knew he knew.
Catching us as we sped by,
Pulling [...]
Posted in Learning and teaching on Dec 22nd, 2007 2 Comments »
One of the joys of my job is getting to watch a range of school performances.
On Tuesday evening I went to see the Humbie Primary School Nativity at the Parish Church - a remarkable building in its own right.
I’ve been to many such nativities and I’m usually captivated by the enthusiasm and innocence which characterise [...]
Posted in Learning and teaching, Reading, School visits on Dec 13th, 2007 1 Comment »
I was in Pinkie St Peter’s primary School this afternoon and spent most of my time in the P1 and P1/2 classes.
I came across the idea of “reading jotters” for the first time - I’m sure they are in common use in many schools but as I’ve said on many occasions I’m still learning.
The two [...]
Posted in Early Intervention, Inclusion, Learning and teaching, Positive Behaviour on Dec 13th, 2007 No Comments »
I had a very enjoyable vist this week to Preston Lodge High School to observe five S1 pupils being taught a science lesson. Amy, Sean Michael, Steven, Dale and Jade showed tremendous understanding and application, and were fortunate to be taught by a great teacher in Gillian Binnie, supported by Mandy Reid. The class overcame [...]
Posted in Learning and teaching on Dec 12th, 2007 No Comments »
I was in Stoneyhill Primary School this morning and spent most of my time in three P1/2 classes.
My point of focus was on how teachers engage children in active learning whilst ensuring that high quality learning is taking place. The concern with Active Learning can sometimes be that there is lots of activity but little actual learning - [...]
Posted in Communication, Learning and teaching, Management, Planning on Dec 5th, 2007 4 Comments »
In was in Elphinstone Primary School this morning and managed to watch all four classes - nursery (3-4 year olds); P1/2 (5-6 year olds); P3-5 (7-9 year olds); and P6/7 (10 -11 year olds) - in that order.
Elphinstone only has 70+ children in the whole school but it enabled me to move up through the [...]
Posted in Accountability, Culture change, HMIe, Learning and teaching, School visits on Dec 5th, 2007 No Comments »
I was in West Barns Primary School yesterday and was speaking to a P6/7 class. One of the boys asked me if I was an inspector and I asked him why he thought that - “Well you’re wearing suit and watching what we are doing”, was his logical reply. Euan had never seen an inspector in [...]
Posted in Culture change, Leadership, Learning and teaching, Management, Partnerships, Positive Behaviour, Positivity, School visits, Unconditional Positive Regard on Nov 27th, 2007 1 Comment »
I visited Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School in Tranent this morning.
In the course of a very enjoyable visit where I observed a number of classes and talked with Headteacher Fiona Waddell and some of her staff about how they create a purposeful learning environment. The school is not without its challenging pupils but what struck me was [...]
Posted in CPD, Careers, Learning and teaching, Parental Involvement, Personnel, professionalism on Nov 25th, 2007 No Comments »
One of the issues facing schools these days is the concern expressed by some parents about a probationer teaching their child’s class.
A probationer is a newly qualified teacher (NQT) and in the past they would have just started teaching as a teacher - but without any of the support systems we now have in place.
I [...]
Posted in Culture change, Learning and teaching, School visits on Nov 20th, 2007 2 Comments »
The active learning banner is sometimes seen to be the sole preserve of the those who teach in early years of primary school - and it’s true that I have seen many very exciting examples of active learning in such contexts during my school visits.
However, in the course of a wonderful visit to North Berwiuck High School [...]
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