LEARNING, RESOURCES, TEACHING

The Zone of Relevance…explained.

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On a Friday afternoon I often share teaching resources on Twitter, like many other teachers do, using the hashtag #PedagooFriday. The Zone of Relevance resource generated a lot of interest. I was contacted by teachers asking for further explanation and asking questions, which is understandable as 140 characters can be very limited!
The Zone of Relevance works best with GCSE and A-Level students because it is very useful to complete when preparing and planning an exam answer. However, it can be used with other year groups and across the curriculum. The idea behind this is that students recognise what information is relevant for a specific exam answer and essential to achieve exam marks. It also helps students prioritise information. This task supports students to understand what they should and should not include in their answer.  This will highlight what information is irrelevant to that specific question to prevent common mistakes being made. Read more

AFL, HISTORY, LEARNING, RESOURCES, TEACHING

Learning grids

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Learning grids, also known as questioning grids, are brilliant! After experimenting with the resource I felt inspired to create learning grids that I could use with my classes. Learning grids appeal to students because they’re an enjoyable learning activity.  The learning grids can be adapted for any subject and different key stages. Learning grids require a class set of dice.  Students will roll the dice twice – to give them a number they can use for the horizontal and vertical line (for example 2 across and 4 down). Read more

HISTORY, LEARNING, RESOURCES, TEACHING

Keyword grids for learning! 

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Keyword grids are so simple and easy to create, brilliant for teachers! There are lots of different ways the keyword grids can be used, again brilliant for teachers and students!

I created my keyword grids using the Moldiv app, with the photo collage feature and the text was created using the Typorama app. However, the grid can easily be created on Word, PowerPoint or Keynote. Read more

LEARNING, RESOURCES, TEACHING

Secret Mission Cards

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Your mission should you choose to accept it…

Who isn’t excited at the thought of a secret mission – even if it is in the classroom!

The secret mission cards are a resource that I created with specific students in mind, I think students are often the inspiration behind creative resources! All students have their own unique strengths, areas for improvements and targets. These targets could be related to behaviour, effort, literacy and so on. A way to help individual students focus on their targets and make progress in the lesson is through the fun secret mission cards.
I created a class set of secret mission cards for the different individuals in that class. Examples include the following; Read more

HISTORY, LEARNING, RESOURCES, TEACHING

Positive and Negative Historical Timelines

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Timelines are often used by History teachers because they are an excellent and effective method to help pupils develop their chronological awareness and understanding. Timelines can support pupils gaining a historical overview of a period, assist in recalling key dates, events and individuals and also visualise how progress, developments and change have occurred over time. A positive/negative timeline goes beyond putting events in chronological order and requires discussion, analysis and reaching a judgement.   Read more

LEARNING, LITERACY, POUNDLANDPEDAGOGY, RESOURCES, TEACHING

SPaG watch! 

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Spelling, punctuation and grammar are an essential part of learning and communication. Teachers and students understand the importance of SPaG and if they don’t, have a word!

I have shared this idea before on Twitter and at various Teach Meet events where I have presented. The concept itself may come across as a gimmick but students have responded really well to this activity! Reflecting upon that point, metacognition is a massively important element of successful learning. By stressing the importance of certain elements of learning, such as spelling, grammar and punctuation, children are able to ensure that it is at the front of their mind when learning in class. This is why, whilst on the face of it seemingly ‘gimmicky’ the SPaG watch activity really is an integral part of learning in my classroom. Read more

LEARNING, RESOURCES, TEACHING

Speeding tickets…in the classroom!

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Nobody wants to recieve a speeding ticket! However, if someone has recieved a speeding ticket it is likely the fine and/or points will act as a future deterrent to help the driver learn from their motoring mistake!

I have introduced speeding tickets into my classroom… Read more

EDTECH, EDUCATORS, LEARNING, RESOURCES, TEACHING

Suggested teachers to follow for Teaching and Learning on Twitter…

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There are so many teachers on Twitter, from all over the world, that I could suggest to follow and there are many lists online with other people sharing their suggestions. There are teachers/educators on Twitter who specialise in different areas too. One example is @JillBerry102 who shares her wealth of knowledge and experience about leadership. Another example is @ImpactWales who are fantastic, particularly if you are based or teach in Wales. The accounts I will be suggesting however are those that, like myself, share teaching and learning ideas and resources that you can view on Twitter, like, retweet then use it in your classroom next week! These accounts are not highlighted in any particular order. The pictures are examples of their resources or ideas that I have used within my classroom. Read more

EDTECH

Hello world…

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After regularly sharing teaching & learning ideas/resources on my Twitter and Instagram pages, I felt it was time to set up a space where I can share ideas and resources in more depth.

Previously, I was Head of Department at Elfed High School North Wales. I started my career in 2010 as a NQT at this school, which was rated as ‘Excellent’ in the 2015 Estyn inspection report. During my time at Elfed High School I taught History, my main area of specialism, at key stages three, four and five. I also taught Government and Politics, Religious Studies and Welsh Second Language. I have achieved Lead Practitioner status, through whole school leadership developing bilingualism. I have also visited St. Joseph’s College, Anradaphura in Sri Lanka as part of the British Council Connecting Classrooms project and hosted their visit to Wales. Read more