Brilliant Starter Activity Ideas

A brilliant starter activity which could be adapted for different abilities and subjects.
Worksheet - The student has a copy of this in front of them to help them work out where the treasure is. I suggest that you laminate them if you want to use them often!

PowerPoint - This needs to be shown to the students as it contains the rhythmic codes for the teacher to play. I would suggest using this as a starter activity when teaching notation and note values.

http://exchsvr/exchange/mooren/Inbox/Post-it:%20Brilliant%20starter%20activity%20enhancing%20creativity.EML/_Animal_Treasure_Hunt[1].ppt/C58EA28C-18C0-4a97-9AF2-036E93DDAFB3/_Animal_Treasure_Hunt[1].ppt?attach=1#256,1,Animal

Treasure Hunt
The game can be adapted to include more complex rhythms or notes on the stave. Rewards (in line with the schools merit system) could be used when the student works out the correct square that you stop the rhythms on. I have chosen to use the pictures of animals on the treasure board (as it is sooo easy to make the students think that they are not completing music work!)

http://exchsvr/exchange/mooren/Inbox/Post-it:%20Brilliant%20starter%20activity%20enhancing%20creativity.EML/_animal_treasure_hunt.doc/C58EA28C-18C0-4a97-9AF2-036E93DDAFB3/_animal_treasure_hunt.doc?attach=1

Jimison (MFL)

Brilliant 'Crazy Class' NQT Support Resources

I found a site called Crazy Class which has some great advice for teaching in general and there is a specific NQT section. I have linked a few choice articles below:

Learning Names
http://exchsvr/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://crazyclass.myfamilyreviews.com/how-to-remember-your-pupils-names

Survival Tips
http://exchsvr/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://crazyclass.myfamilyreviews.com/nqt-survival-tips

Challenging Behaviour
http://exchsvr/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://crazyclass.myfamilyreviews.com/nightmare-lessons

First Class In September
http://exchsvr/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://crazyclass.myfamilyreviews.com/new-class-first-lesson-in-september

Sam

Two great publications on Active Engagement with Learning and creating a positive climate for learning

I have found these documents on 'Active engagement Techniques' and 'Climate for learning' interesting. Some food for thought to mull over during summer.
Regards

Herve Tamo
NQTS and Maths

Links to each document:

http://exchsvr/exchange/mooren/Inbox/RE:%20Will%20YOU%20be%20%27Blogger%20of%20the%20Week%27_x003F_-8.EML/Unit11activeengagementtechniques04342004.pdf/C58EA28C-18C0-4a97-9AF2-036E93DDAFB3/Unit11activeengagementtechniques04342004.pdf?attach=1

http://exchsvr/exchange/mooren/Inbox/RE:%20Will%20YOU%20be%20%27Blogger%20of%20the%20Week%27_x003F_-8.EML/Unit%252018%2520Climate%2520for%2520Learning[1].pdf/C58EA28C-18C0-4a97-9AF2-036E93DDAFB3/Unit%252018%2520Climate%2520for%2520Learning[1].pdf?attach=1

Harold and Hilda - Our Resident Pigeons!

The Cover Supervisor Team has taken an interest in Harold and Hilda the pigeons nesting in the art sculpture. They have lovingly made a nest and often sit side by side staring into each others eyes whilst looking after their eggs. In recognition of Harold and Hilda here are some amazing facts on pigeons:-

The pigeon mates for life and can breed up to 8 times a year!
Pigeons are considered to be one of the most intelligent birds on the planet.
Male pigeons have the rare ability to lactate, producing milk for the babies just like the females do!

On the down side if your office is just above them, there constant cooing for 7 hours they can drive you to distraction. For those of you with an office above them who may not love them as much as us we do.:

PIGEON PIE
Ingredients

4-5 pigeons

drawnsalt and pepper250g

8oz stewing beef250g

8oz shortcrust pastry beaten egg to glaze

2 tsp cornflour300ml

10fl oz stock

Maths Mug-shots!

We are the Maths team and have won 'Blogger of the Week' awards two weeks in a row! We wish everyone a restful and enjoyable summer break. x

















Temi Ogunlana

















Herve Tamo
















Gemma Simmons
















Mrs Brady (AST)
















Gareth Shadick
















Sandra Fox
















Millie Stegniac
















Martin Malone (DHT)
















Gareth Tongue (HOF)
















David Mcgregor
















Alison Jolliffe

Some ideas to entertain your little cherubs over the summer!

The Cover Supervisor team wishes all staff a restful 7 weeks holiday. However, if you need ideas to entertain your little cherubs here are a few:-

The Dartford festival is this weekend 18th/19th July.

Go along and be entertained by Stavros Flaherty from Britain’s got Talent or hear Lemar sing. More information at

http://www.dartford.gov.uk/festival/

Other useful links:

http://www.leisurecentre.com/centres/16/home/Crook-Log-Leisure-Centre.aspx

http://www.bexley.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=6789

http://www.gll.org/centre/waterfront-leisure-centre.asp

http://www.trust-thamesmead.co.uk/

http://www.london.gov.uk/london-life/

http://www.royalparks.org.uk/

24 Tips for Fostering Creativity in our students and teaching

I find this article very important in helping teachers to become very creative. What makes a person creative? Why are some people more creative and others less so? We often think that creative people are the ones who have some rare and unattainable ability, but it is not so. Creative people are ones who make a decision: They decide to buy low and sell high in the world of ideas.

In this article, Robert Sternberg and Wendy M. Williams first describe this idea of creativity as a decision, which is formalized as an investment theory of creativity. Then they describe 24 tips we can use in order to foster creativity in our students and teaching.

http://www.cdl.org/resource-library/articles/teaching_creativity.php

Jimison (MFL)

Creativity Culture Education

This may be of interest to fellow NQTs as we are probably all thinking about our classroom layouts for September:

Collaborative Learning
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/learningaboutlearning/collaborativelearning/research/rscollaborativelearning.asp
I have also attached a link to an inspirational and refreshingly short pamphlet on creativity which has some interesting statistics regarding pupils' progress in a creative environment. http://www.creativitycultureeducation.org/data/files/cyl-changing-young-lives-55.pdf

Sam

Starter and or Tutor Time Interactive Game

One more thing I have that I think students and teachers will enjoy, though will soon get very infuriated with!!!!

 

Some say its possible, others impossible! It's the "circle the cat game"...

http://www.gamedesign.jp/flash/chatnoir/chatnoir.html

Sarah Stirling

NQT Arts Faculty

September INSET Days 2009

Inset Days Programme Sept 09 Final

Great literacy Starter Activity

I have found this to be a good starter activity in Art and it can work in all subjects. It gets students using literacy in other subjects, plus can be a fun competition!!

Sarah Stirling
NQT Arts Faculty

Linking Literacy Monet

The Cover Supervisor's Ode

THE COVER SUPERVISOR’S ODE

I come to work not knowing what, the cover lessons that I’ve got
When all the teachers have rung in, the plan of action can begin

At 5 to 8 I know my fate, will it be bad, will it be great
My only hope is, is there stuff, to keep the students busy enough

I then consider what’s the year as my plan of action must be clear
Then subject matter’s next in line, is there enough to take the time

When I am blessed with work to do, it’s better than not having a clue
Quiet often it is on the spot, OH!, what material have I got ?

And finally when I’m ready to go, it’s bound to be something they already know
We did that last week will come the cry, is this the truth or just a lie

Some days all periods need to be covered, like Catherine Tate ‘Am I that bovvered’
And some days there’s just one or two, with just about enough to do

The final bell at period 5, confirms that I am still alive
I like to think I’ve done my best, the kids have put me to the test

But would I really ever moan, this is the earliest I’ve been home
It’s not about what I can earn, it’s about the kids and what they’ve learned.

Alf Hammond
Cover Supervisor

A Portrait of 'The Arts'

The disadvantages of being late to class...

Sarah Stirling
NQT Art Faculty

PE Disneyland Trip 2009

A few photos to share with you from our trip to Disneyland Paris...














Blog Report 2009-1

Year 9 'Crepe-making in MFL'

The Year 9 students made Crepes in French. Here is the flipchart and some photos from the lesson the MFL team would like to share with you.

Year_9_mfl

'Philosophy for Children - P4C'

The Maths NQTs have a lot of LOVE for the blog!

During our citizenship session this morning for NQTs, Sam and I mentioned something we have touched upon and used in previous placement schools: Philosophy for Children - it's principles are below, with a link to the website.

This is how it works:

The teacher acts as the facilitator - the children come up with their own ideas, responses and opinions to a stimulus (visual, kinaestethic or auditory) - IWB are fab for this!

The pupils are seated in a semi circle around the teacher/tutor. An added extra is a sponge football/large dice that the pupils throw to each other according to who wants to input an idea next (pupils put their hand up to receive the ball rather than calling out). I have seen a range of pictures/sounds during the INSET session and they are great for creating (its all about creativity!) ideas with the kids. - independent learning / critical thinking etc........

Principles of P4C

'Philosophy for Children' is a set of simple, everyday practices to help children and young people become thoughtful, curious and reasonable, though the following philosophy:

• Good thinking is learned from dialogue with others.


• Children need to take part in dialogues that provide examples and models of good thinking .


• The wellspring of knowledge and intellectual excitement is questioning.


• Claims should be tested in argument. Argument is seen not as a quarrel but as a collaborative search for the best answer to a question.


• To think well is to be creative as well as critical. Creative thinkers make connections, speculate and explore alternatives.


• Good thinking depends on attitudes as well as abilities. Children should be encouraged to be reasonable in the fullest sense of the word.


• People make sense of the the world though a web of concepts. We should talk with children about significant concepts.


• It is good for children and adults to talk together about philosophical questions -- questions that matter and that link thinking about one area of experience to thinking about experience as a whole.
  

Many of the principles of P4C can be applied with all ages of pupils and in most subject areas using some straightforward practices. We've grouped them together under the heading: encourage questioning, develop concepts, encourage dialogue and argument, and work for reasonableness. The http://www.p4c.com/ website has many resources tailored to helping you achieve these practices and with your pupils.

Many Thanks
Gemma and Sam (Maths NQTs)!!!

Maths Wit and Humour

A witty offering from Gemma & Sam

Blooms Taxonomy and Questioning Techniques

"What makes questioning effective?" Brilliant tips to help teachers to address this question.

Jimison Rivo Niaina

MFL Teacher

Questioning Techniques - Handout

Cover Supervisor Team Awards

As the end of the school year has arrived, the Cover Supervisor team wish to thank all the departments this year for setting all the cover work and have decided to give some awards.

DRUM ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First Place – Humanities 

A Huge Thank You to Rob Pett and his team for providing excellent cover work

Second Place - Maths and Science

For the pure quantity of cover work they have had to supply!!!!

 Our Interesting Fact of the Week:

Mount Everest grows 4 mm a year!

 

Adult Literacy and Numeracy: ALAN Tests- A Quick Introduction

Do you want to know a little more about the ALAN tests, which some students are sitting now and all of year 11 will be sitting next year?

Why adult literacy and numeracy and not adult numeracy and literacy?

ALAN tests will probably be taken more seriously by our students than ANAL tests!

These tests are really good for motivating students who are not going to get many GCSE’s.  They not only count as half a GCSE but also give these students a real sense of achievement and the realisation that they can achieve qualifications.  They are looked on highly by colleges and those offering apprenticeships.

 How do they differ from GCSE’s?  They relate to real life scenarios, are multiple choice and can be sat on the computer.  Why not have a look yourself or see how well you can do: 

www.move-on.org.uk 

The Cover Supervisors got very competitive… who will win in your department?

 

Pocket Book Resources and Freebie 'Learning to Learn' version for NQT's

Teachers' pocketbooks is an amazing portal exposing pocketbooks on different aspects of teaching and learning. These books  are very easy to carry around and well structured.Used versions of the books are also available on Amazon.co.uk for £3.00.You can copy and paste the links to find out more:

http://www.pocketbook.co.uk/results.asp?sf1=series&st1=teachers&sort=sort_title&ds=A+to+Z+Listing&cid=&tag=&pge=teachers

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Teaching-Pocketbook-Teachers-Pocketbooks/dp/1903776627

Nina Moore - Acting DHT CPD/QA has a few copies of the 'Learning to Learn' Pocketbook available free to any NQT's on a first come, first serve basis! Contact Nina Moore via e-mail: mooren@welling.bexley.sch.uk , or visit in Media Corridor in Room E19 to get your copy!

Regards
Herve

Some Video Goodies on AFL and moving from Good to Outstanding

This is an interesting video series from Teachers' TV on how to move from 'good to outstanding'.I have found these quite informative.This will be useful to NQTs and members of staff as a whole to fine tune their practice.

http://www.teachers.tv/series/45

Assessment for learning strategies are key to assessing pupils progress.I have  found this video from teacher's TV interesting and I am looking forward to apply some of these techniques with my classes next September.These skills can be easily transferred to other subject areas.

http://www.teachers.tv/video/3347

Herve Tamo (Maths)

A great blog for St Andrews School - Some great stuff!

Mr Paige kindly e-mailed me a link to this excellent Blog from St Andrews School. It is a fantastic blog with some great resources for Arts, RE, Assemblies and a brilliant area set up by older students to give the new Year 7 cohort an introduction to the school. The 'Soul Food' area that can be accessed via Sailsbury House link is pretty cool too. I really like it and I hope you can find something useful for your teaching.

 http://www.andyblogs.co.uk/

Cross Curricular Starter Activity Idea!

COUNTDOWN - A Cross curricular Maths/English starter from Mr Paige

 

www.mathsnet.net/puzzles/countdown/countdown.swf

An Introduction to our Cover Supervisor Team

Here is a quick first post on the Cover Supervisor team and where you are most likely to see them:

 Celia Clark – Any department

Sandra Fox – Maths

Prisca Cox – Science

Tina Wade – Science

Annette Haynes  - MFL

Alf Hammond – IT/PE

Leah Boyd – Humanities/English

Michelle Collins – MFL/OM

Debbie Crabb – Humanities/English

Jenny Freeman – PA/Maths

 Our interesting fact of the week: Rain falls at a rate of 7 mph

 

Citizenship - A Big Thank you

A Big Thank You to all tutors, Heads of Year and those covering absent colleagues for another excellent citizenship lesson/council meeting today. On the whole teaching and learning seem to be strong and student levels of enthusiasm and engagement were, if anything, even better than last time. I am very pleased that colleagues are making such an effort with their planning and delivery of lessons and anticipate citizenship becoming the key part of school life that it should be, with your help of course!

 

Thank you all and remember: society will thank us one day!

 

Leanne 

CONGRATULATIONS!

I hope you will join me in congratulating Tamsin Wilde, Andrea Gordon Smart, Pam Cameron and Paul Hewitt for their successful appointments within the school. We wish you lots of success in your new roles. 

Congratulations to:

Tamsin Wilde - New Head of Year 8 

Joseph Osunde - Head of ICT and Business

Pam Cameron - Leader of vocational Education

Andrea Gordon Smart - New Head of Year 9

The NQT Cocktail Choice for the Summer Hols

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz dry vermouth
• 1 green olive or lemon twist for garnish
• orange or Angostura bitters (optional)

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice cubes.
2. Stir for 30 seconds.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Add a dash of orange or Angostura bitters if desired
5. Garnish with the olive or lemon twist.

There are many variations on the classic martini that are a personal preference

Thanks

Alan Southgate (Music)

Excellent Starter Activity for your Interactive Whiteboard

Here is a fantastic Starter Activity game to use with students across the curriculum or in tutor-time and it helps students learn some Spanish too! 

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO PLAY. ENJOY:

http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/froggame.html