Category Archive: Top Tips

Jan
05

Meeting new classes

This is a summary for all teachers of ideas for our priority in the classroom at this time of year; establishing a positive learning environment and building an ethos for learning with new classes. These ideas were shared at the first T&L meeting in mid-September last year, once teachers had begun to establish routines with …

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Nov
25

Challenge box

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Who is it for? Teachers who teach Key stage 3, 4 and 5 students. Teachers and students who enjoy being creative with teaching and learning styles, techniques and strategies. Teachers who are prepared to take risks and who enjoy being inspirational in the classroom, laboratory and workshop! Outline of idea. The 'Challenge box' is a …

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Oct
19

Interactive Literacy Walls

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Who is it for? Staff who wish to raise their students understanding of key words and terminology in an interactive, competitive manner. Outline of idea TVA is looking at raising the literacy levels of all students and I have chosen to work with students who have learning and language difficulties. I also wanted to make …

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Oct
18

Pupil Queue

Who is it for? This is relevant to all teachers of practical subjects who spend much of their lesson time rotating around the class assisting individual pupils. Outline of idea I had two Yr 9 classes who were starting to learn an entirely new program and set of concepts to do with programming (Computer Science).  …

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May
08

Inspirational teachers, inspirational learners!

Inspirational teachers inspirational learners.

Who is it for? 'Inspirational teachers, inspirational learners' (by Will Ryan) is a book that should be read by all teachers.  The book itself is truly inspirational itself and a must have. Outline of the idea Essentially this is a book made up of 8 chapters that make you smile, ignite ideas, strategies and emotions …

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May
08

Building Learning Power by Guy Claxton (perhaps specifically useful to GTP/ITT/NQT/UQT staff)

Building learning power

Written by Emily Player (D/T GTP The Voyager Academy. Who is it for?  This is an idea for all teachers at KS3 interested in developing group work.  All teachers especially those with a passion for creating stimulating learning environments interest in building ‘engine rooms’ open to new approaches for student thinking Outline of the idea …

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Apr
29

Co-created class notes – Mark Dawes

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Who is it for? This idea is potentially usable with any class that needs to have notes to refer back to in future and which they need to learn and to use as a revision resource. It is particularly useful for pupils who do not find it easy to make notes for themselves. Outline of …

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Feb
22

“Well done for raising your hand!”

Who is it for? Useful at any level and in any context for encouraging and enlivening discussion during plenaries. Outline of the idea: I use this technique every time I need to enliven a plenary.  I pick a student, “Michael”, who I know from previous lessons is reasonably secure on the topic in hand but …

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Feb
10

Dare to be different

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Who is it for? Teachers who are prepared to take risks with their classroom configuration and seating plans. Outline of the idea. Dare to be different and remove ‘straight row’ teaching!  Dare to be different and seat your students in a different place each lesson!  Dare to be different and provide the students with that …

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Feb
01

The Random Name Selector: A way to make everyone pay attention

Who is it for? Anyone looking for a way to ensure that everyone contributes answers (without having to pick on people yourself). It works at all key stages. Outline of the idea: Some time ago I stumbled across this when looking for an easy way of picking people to answer questions or contribute ideas to …

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