Revision, revision and more revision.... with exams around the corner, teachers are busy planning and innovating revision activities. Meanwhile, pupils are busy revising (at least, in theory; some are definitely actually-understanding-for-the-first-time) before the daunting and the anticipating become the done and dusted. My understanding of learning and the examination process obtained through experience and research of … Continue reading 5 Steps for Effective Revision + Activity Ideas
independence
Developing autonomy: taking a step back
"I aspire for my pupils to develop their independence." I've said this to myself constantly since I began teaching, but when I ruminate on the details, I realise that my understanding of independence has changed, and so have the behaviours and words I expect to observe in 'independent pupils'. To begin with, my vision of my pupils being independent … Continue reading Developing autonomy: taking a step back
Comprehension Strategies in the Classroom
Poor comprehension skills are undoubtedly a hindrance to learning. As teachers, we expect our pupils to read and make meaning from an unfamiliar text nearly every lesson. This might take the form of a text to teach new ideas and facts, a stimulus for discussion, to give instructions or even to read and interpret our marking. But to what extent … Continue reading Comprehension Strategies in the Classroom
Success Criteria
One of the most pupil-empowering pedagogy ideas I use, is to ask pupils to determine the success criteria for a task, then ask them to use it to do the task, and finally self/peer-assess using the criteria. It's a very clever tool to use because it has so many benefits: Helps pupils engage with an activity at … Continue reading Success Criteria
Bunsen Blue 