WoW: conformity

 

Communication Focuses

READING

• Reading Widely
• Reading for pleasure

WRITING

• Spelling of subject-specific vocabulary (tier 3)
• Use of WAGOLLs to scaffold (visualisers, mini-whiteboards)

ORACY

• Purposeful and structured communication with others

 

Teaching and Learning Priorities

• Climate for learning(DMC) – working with NQTs and RQTs
• Vocabulary (ACH) – Middle leaders working on this at present
• Purposeful Interactions by all (CRO) – working with NQTs and RQTs

This Week:

• Monday afternoon and Friday morning – C Morris and RLO around school (climate for learning).
• Trainees – meetings Tuesday 1 (9:15) and Wednesday 1 (9.15).
  • CPD on Wednesday at 3:15 (R. Sweeney to lead)
• NQTs – JMJ Tuesday 3; RHU – period 4
• Pastries and Progress next Wednesday – SLT to cover duties.  JGA to provide input on Reciprocal Reading (thanks in advance).
• Heads up! Open Door Week – next week! Ask a colleague if you can drop in…or invite someone in. Be brave.

 

Reflect on Your Practice:

Teaching and Learning Policy: Feedback – Plan - Teach

As we continue to walk-through our Teaching and Learning Policy (Feedback – Plan – Teach), this week, we consider the ‘Teach’ element. This is what our policy says about ‘numeracy’.  

Numeracy

We are all teachers of numeracy.  Numeracy includes significant aspects of what is taught in mathematics but also include the ability to use numbers and solve problems in other subjects and in real life.

A strong mathematical grounding is beneficial for a wide range of subjects, including the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) but also geography, computing, art, PE and so on.

 

When you are teaching something numeracy related, you should make it explicit that you are doing so, to enable students to see the relationship between subjects.

Numeracy Includes:
Reasoning	Problem solving	Decision making	Use of space
Measures	Calculations	Data handling

 

…as well as anything else which is taught within the mathematics curriculum.

Teacher-Talk

There are always certain ‘buzz words’ surrounding education.  Those of the moment are pasted below. Significantly, Ofsted inspectors will expect us to know (and use) these words in our conversations with them.  Test yourself…which ones do you know?

 

Term	Definition	Further Reading/CPD
Class Feedback	Instead of marking every book closely and writing individual comments on every book, teachers read every book and only make the minimum number of interventions. Feedback is then provided on a proforma to the class.	https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/page/2/?s=class+feedback
Concrete Examples	The teacher introduces concrete examples and then sets up opportunities for learners to practise using concrete examples as part of spaced practice.	https://app.teachinghow2s.com/concrete-examples
Dual Coding	The teacher teaches learners how to combine verbal materials with visual materials as an effective way to study	https://app.teachinghow2s.com/dual-coding
Elaborative Interrogation	The teacher introduces Elaborative Interrogation then uses specific methods as part of Spaced Practice in class.	https://app.teachinghow2s.com/elaborative-interrogation
Interleaving	Combined with spaced practice, the teacher can use interleaving to return to previously learnt topics in a structured way.	https://app.teachinghow2s.com/interleaving
Live Marking	This is sitting with a student and talking through a piece of work, celebrating good work and identifying areas for improvement. It is a verbal dialogue.	https://www.sec-ed.co.uk/best-practice/case-study-a-marking-feedback-revolution/   https://www.teachertoolkit.co.uk/2018/03/04/live-marking-2/
Retrieval Practice	Bringing information to mind from memory.  Applying this information in new situations.	https://app.teachinghow2s.com/retrieval-practice
Reciprocal Reading	Reciprocal reading is a structured approach to teaching strategies (questioning, clarifying, summarising and predicting) that students can use to improve their reading comprehension.	https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/projects-and-evaluation/projects/reciprocal-reading/
Spaced Practice	When learners space their studying, they take the same amount of study time and space it across a longer period of time.	https://app.teachinghow2s.com/spaced-practice
Vocabulary Instruction	Should provide students with opportunities for word learning by: encouraging wide reading; ... promoting word consciousness; providing explicit instruction of specific words; and. providing modelling and instruction in independent word-learning strategies.	https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/tools/guidance-reports/improving-literacy-in-secondary-schools/

 

 

 

Top Tip Schedule

 

Subject Heads, please ensure that someone from your department is ready to share a ‘Top Tip’ on the designated date. 

 

2/03/2020	The Arts
*9/03/2020	Pastries and Progress - WEDS Reciprocal Reading JGA
16/03/2020	FRI - Pastoral – PCs Open Door Week
23/03/2020	English
30/03/2020	Drama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPD Cascade

Study Groups 2019-20

A reminder of the key focuses within departments:

• Expressive Arts – improving engagement in Year 9
• Computing – Developing the use of Teams to allow learning beyond the classroom
• Mathematics – recall and retention
• Art – Engagement of boys
• English – use of knowledge organisers
• MFL – Speaking examination – extended pupil responses; Listening and reading: developing confidence
• Humanities - progress of middle attaining boys
• PE  – Link between theory at KS3 and KS4
• Technology – Developing the use of homework at KS3 to prepare students for KS4 course
• Science – personalised learning plans for each student in each science.

 

CPD Audit

Many thanks for taking the time to complete the CPD audit.  Feedback will follow shortly.

 

Next Week…

…is Open Door Week – I know that many of us are yet to embrace this (whether that is down to time or feeling embarrassed about walking in to another person’s classroom).  Please have courage and drop in on someone.  You will be inspired. To make it easier, ask someone if it is okay for you to drop in.