Autumn Term - 18th October 2021

Whole School CPD Focus:

Feedback and Questioning: Feedback-Plan-Teach

Walkthru Cluster:

Feedback and Questioning

Walkthru:

‘Say It Again Better’ plus the Teacher Workbook

Starting Point

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NekG5PRLtBs&t=431s

Reflections…

This week’s reflection encourages students by building their confidence and also by helping them to aspire to be even better. ‘Say It Again Better’ allows students to gain credit for their initial answer whilst also being prompted to really craft the language that they use in their responses.  This strategy places emphasis on the significance of ‘classroom language’ and promotes leaving ‘playground language’ at the threshold of the classroom. In using ‘Say It Again Better’, we reinforce that accepting initial responses is not the norm; that they will need to think about and craft their answers, as they would in their written answers.  Effective oracy assumes the spotlight, here.

The name of this Walkthru is fairly self-explanatory, however it is important to say that ‘Say It Again Better’ is simply the name of the Walkthru and not the tagline to use with the students when prompting them to improve their expression.  So, what are the stages of this Walkthru?

1. Ask a question (use Cold Calling, Think-Pair-Share, or another strategy)
2. Acknowledge the first response. If it is a half-formed answer: “Yes, OK, that’s a good start. But let’s develop it further.” If it is incorrect: ‘Good try but that’s not quite it; let’s see how we can get it right.’
3. Give supportive feedback. Invite the student to consider specific ways the response could be improved. “What's the more formal/technical term for that idea?” “Does the graph just ‘go up’ or is there a more complex pattern you could describe?”
4. Invite students to Say It Again Better. Explore what a better answer might include then ask the same student to have another attempt — “OK, now, try to say it again better.” This stage allows you to also check for understanding.
5. Respond to the improved response.  Decide if the improved response is sufficiently improved to warrant simple affirmative praise before moving on or whether there is value in adding more detail.

Remember, that the aim of this Walkthru is to show students that they can offer excellent responses so that next time, they may do this first time.  If we do not model excellence through our own use of language, students may never experience high quality talk. 

“You are the only second chance for some children to have a rich language experience. If these children are not getting it at school, they are not getting it.”

                        Neil Mercer, Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Cambridge & Director, Oracy Cambridge

CPD Cascade

 PSHE CPD podcasts (RSW)

https://www.pshe-association.org.uk/podcasts

National College

Remember that there are subject-specific watchlists available in National College.

Useful Webinars from Creative Education (RSW)

Title: Tics and Tic Disorders: Recognising & Supporting

Date: 15th of November at 4 pm UK time

How to book: Register here to attend

Title: Let’s talk about Oracy – how to promote purposeful talk and improve student outcomes and wellbeing in your school setting

Date: 16th of November at 4 pm UK time

How to book: Register here to attend

Title: Whatever you are passionate about, it needs to include Postural Care too

Date: 10th of November at 4 pm UK time

How to book: Register here to attend

Title: Developing & Implementing a Relational Approach to Behaviour

Date: 9th of November at 4 pm UK time

How to book: Register here to attend

Using Personal Growth Plans as a Springboard for Staff Development

New to the Role of Mental Health Lead

Supporting Staff Mental Health in the Current Context

Monthly Safeguarding update: November 2021