Teaching at Gullane Primary
Posted by lukehenryfrancis in A Curriculum For Excellence, CPD, Cross-Curricular, Introduction, NQT life
Today I had the opportunity of facilitating a Buddhism lesson to a class of P4 pupils at Gullane Primary School. I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of my visit, especially the enthusiasm of pupils. The secondary sector has so much to learn from primary schools, especially concerning developments relating to A Curriculum For Excellence; for example, the implementation of Critical Skills in the classroom as a learning tool.
The lesson I facilitated was on ‘Interconnectedness’. Each pupil had to pass a piece of string to another pupil who had a similar feature/characteristic as him or her. Eventually every pupil was holding the string, creating a massive web across the classroom. I developed this idea of interconnectedness by using a clip from the Lion King to promote discussion about the ‘circle of life’ and our responsibility to all living creatures. This was concluded through a visual display detailing the early life of Siddhartha Gautama.
As well as facilitating the lesson I was able to observe a P5 poetry lesson. Pupils wrote personal poems on a colour of their choice and then made a pod cast of their work to put on the P5 learning Blog. This activity was excellent, not only in developing core IT skills but in developing pupils’ confidence in terms of oral presentation. Keep up the good work Gullane!
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Visiting/ Observing/ and teaching primary lessons should certainly be a bigger part of Secondary teachers’ CPD- we have a huge amount to learn from them and it will also inform our teaching of pupils in junior years.
As for the Buddhism lesson- it sounds great. I have used the ball of string activity with a first year class for the same purpose and it was great. It definitely stands out as one of my most successful lessons. Pupils love the chance to be out of their seat for a start!
You’ve inspired me to arrange a visit to my local primary school- thanks!
Thankyou for noting your visit to p4 on your blog. Im glad you enjoyed it, its great having visitors and sharing ideas. I visited Knox Academy today for a return visit and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience as well. It is a very useful insight into the high school set up and ethos. Im at North Berwick High School next week too for my official shadow probationer visit, it has been nice to have experience of two East Lothian High Schools.
My Primary class would really like to keep in touch, they are desperate to blog you with all our RMPS questions and ideas.
On behalf of P4 thanks for your Buddhism lesson – we thoroughly enjoyed it and will send you the video of the lesson ASAP!!
Teaching is a quality of human that depend on his past life. How much ,he learn his past life and how he will describe to students. Its not a easy job that create a way for student. They follow this way and want to bright his future.
Thanx
Its a good article. That providing good information.
Teaching causes us to be human of values and morals. Buddhas teaching is a bless for all mankind. Its really very good post here about Buddhism.