What have you changed in your classroom this year? Why did you do it? What happened as a result?
This is a pedagoo call for posts! We want to hear about something you changed this year. We really do.
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Image by Editor B
Here’s just a small thing.
I started to use a method of “no hands up” suggested by Dylan Wiliam, where you write the kids names on sticks and put them in a pot and then pick them at random when asking questions.
I frequently ask those kids who don’t put their hands up to answer anyway, so I didn’t think it would make much difference, but I was surprised to find how often I picked a stick for a child I wouldn’t have asked, showing me that I probably had been placing less demand on some pupils without realising it.
It made me use pair work more often too because I wanted kids to be able to answer, even if it was their friend’s answer. Because this takes more time, it made me really think about making my questions worthwhile.
I think Dylan uses plain wooden lolly sticks, but I got coloured plant label sticks because they were on offer in Tesco – they are prettier and I’ll be able to rub the names off and reuse them next year with my new class.
This year I have used only 3 jotters, numeracy, writing & everything else. Less paper, clearer focus and children able to see clearer links across interdisciplinary studies.
This year, with the help of David Gilmour, I set up a class blog.
It has been truly amazing to see the children discuss their learning out of school, as well as them reinforcing lessons through playing the games/watching the clips we upload.
The parents also feel more involved with their child’s learning as they know what goes on within our classroom walls.
http://edubuzz.org/blogs/dunbarprimaryschoolp4d/
This year I no longer have a classroom! A year ago I moved from being a class teacher to an outreach teacher, and I now work with individuals, small groups and only occasionally whole classes. I’ve been able to give the right kind of attention to children who seek attention, I’ve been able to listen more, I’ve been able allow children to be fully immersed in making choices and planning their next steps, I’ve been able to really develop relationships with the children I teach, I’ve been able to personalise learning and make it meaningful, I’ve been able to put into practice much more all of the skills I have in using ICT, I’ve taught children to make films, music, books and more. It’s been one of the toughest years yet, working with incredibly challenging behaviours, and dealing with some heartbreaking situations. It’s been a huge learning curve, and I’ve loved every minute.