Independent thinking

The question of independent thinking is one which has been bugging me over the past few weeks.

One of the feedbacks I received from a lesson observation included the suggestion that I was expecting the students to work too independently.

However, from other observations, it seems that the general consensus is to spoon feed and coax the students through their course; rather than to encourage them to think independently.

Now I'm new to this, and I was in a school that was completely different from my own educational upbringing (inner city comprehensive vs. rural grammar); but not encouraging independent thinking does not sit well with me.

I had both low ability and mixed ability classes; and I developed differentiation strategies in an attempt to meet the needs of all the students in my classes. Yet, it was the approaches which asked students to think for themselves which received the most criticism.

I'm certainly not saying that I went into classes and said, "today we're learning this. Off you go." My lessons did have structure, and modelled answers and whole class discussions before starting tasks. But I'm still (apparently) expecting the students to think too independently.

So, really, I guess, I'm wondering, how much is too much  independence when it comes to learning? Is the general consensus now to give the students the answers and ask them to match them to the questions? At some stages this is what it feels like I'm doing.

The middle

This must be about the halfway point.

Yesterday, I finished TP1. This weekend is one of reflection and tidying the flat.

I have learnt so much during my time at school. I've finally landed on the side of 'I'm not ready to leave', although I can see quite clearly the areas I need to focus on in my second school.

I can't believe how much I've learnt in the time I've been there: planning lessons in a sequence; differentiating resources; developing relationships with classes and colleagues; relaxing around my classes and having a bit of fun; a variety of behaviour management techniques; that I sound like a complete tit when I shout, but tapping a pencil against a mug works wonders for bringing a class to order; mark schemes and how difficult they are to understand; how easy it is to be ridiculously tired on a Monday and how Tuesday drags on and on and on and on- no matter how much cake is available!

I don't quite know how I've managed to plan and resource all my lessons on time and write two decent assignments, or how I've upped my game to be succeeding at Masters level, but I'm doing it!

In my head, real questions about teaching (which I'll save for another post) have arisen. I am so pleased that I'm questioning and not just blindly accepting that this is the way. I've always been a bit rubbish at questioning.

I'm pleased that I'm naturally evaluating lessons, and in terms of 'what could I have done to make that better/work/smoother?' I'm really pleased that when things don't work out, I go into evaluation mode rather than get upset about making mistakes.

I am incredibly grateful to all the staff at my first school. It's been great to sit and voice my confusion about something and have someone there to offer a different angle of looking at it.

I love that not only have I been learning to be a teacher, but also I've been expanding my knowledge about texts and structures. I've been thrown into teaching areas which I'd identified as weaknesses and texts I'd never read, and it's been fantastic. My confidence has definitely increased.

I am going to miss the people and the kids. However, I have to move on; and I know at my next school I'll  be doing more teaching and I'll be expecting myself to step-it-up a notch.



And now, I'm going to use this in-between time to do some reading, some writing, and take a deep breath.

My Top Tips for TP1:

1. Create weekly targets and plan your lessons to try to meet these.

2. You have to laugh.

3 weeks

Only three weeks left on this placement. Eek!

So, this week. I started by getting ahead, but by the end of the week everything had caught up with me again! I've had some very long days in school this week.

I taught my first ever y10 lesson. Cripes! I was so nervous. I don't think it was my best lesson, but a good start. The evaluation came from the kids themselves, which was terrifying and insightful at the same time. They are very observant.

My y7 lessons are getting better. They feel more structured and purposeful, and I can see what direction they're heading. I know what the final goal is, I just need to get them there. In only 8 lessons. I lose tomorrow's lesson due to a visiting guest speaker.

My y8s are testing me. They don't respond well to a change of routine, so me walking in and taking their lessons for a new unit is not going down so well. I'm trying to maintain their established routines, in terms of how lessons begin, discipline and reward strategies; but they are definitely my biggest challenge at the moment.

I feel as though I am making progress with y9. I introduced team posters, which they created with their friends. They can then earn stars for their teams during the lessons. The team with the most points at half term gets a prize (actual prize to be negotiated). This is proving an incentive.

Started searching for jobs now. I think I've found one I want to apply for- even if just for the interview experience. I don't expect to land a job before easter, if I'm honest. I definitely need the experience of second placement to be able to offer a more complete answer to any question at interview.

Need to get these flippin QTS tests out of the way. Need some hard core revision and then book 'em. They're becoming an annoyance, just nagging at me.

Hopefully there'll be no more snow. The students get way too distracted by the weather. I've resorted to closing the blinds in some classes. I hope it all melts- as distracting as it is, I'd sooner have the snow than the ice.

Time to make these last three weeks really count. It's going to be weird going back into university.

Dropping back into things

Well the Christmas break is well and truly over.

Happy New Year everyone.

The first week back was approached with dread. I'd had nothing but problems in the last week of the holidays- so I've been playing catch up since then. Got pretty injured too so been a bit slow and delicate wandering around school.

The big essay was due on Tuesday and my first official observation was also due to happen on Tuesday. And I had lessons to create for this week.

Thank god it all worked out.

The essay was submitted on Monday night. I hope it's good enough for a pass.

Tuesday, I was very nervous. My university mentor had chosen to observe my difficult y8 class. And I'd planned to do drama. Oh.My.God.

To their credit, the kids were brilliant (not that I told them that I was being observed); and they seemed to really enjoy the activity. Yesterday's lesson showed me that they actually learnt something from it.

I got some fantastic feedback from my mentor. And when I ran the same activity with the other half of the class on Thursday, although the lesson seemed to be a disaster and the kids behaved badly, I did get some lovely comments from a passing member of staff. He said it was great to see someone doing something different with the kids; taking advantage of all the open spaces in the school, and experimenting with approaches. This was lovely to hear, although I'm never quite sure how to react to compliments.

I also feel as though I've made real progress with my other classes this week. My organisation has improved and, although I haven't made the resources yet, I've been ready for what I'm going to do next week, and have been able to create this week's lessons to lead into next week's lessons.

I think I've had some of my best lessons this week. The pupils are seeing me as their teacher now. Things feel good, more comfortable. And I'm getting a Y10 lesson next week. I'm very excited, I just hope I don't mess it up. The class is lovely though, and I've been in their lessons since the beginning of December so they know me.

Overall, a brilliant first week back. Someone's created a countdown of working days until the next half term, which is when I leave this school. I cannot believe there are only 20 working days left! Too soon. I'm not sure that I want to leave.

Merry Christmas

Survived the first half of the placement.

Having a lovely Christmas break. We finished on 21st December, and I was well and truly ready for a break.

I've done no work since then.

Tomorrow work on the essay and the lesson planning begins.

My first formal observation by my mentor from the University is on the first Tuesday back.

Normal service shall resume on this blog once the essay is finished and submitted (also the first Tuesday back).

I've switched off my alarm for the holidays and I'm finding it terribly easy to stay in bed for ages.

Only five weeks left in this placement school. Mixed feelings about that. I feel as though I'm learning, and I get along well with the department, but I'm also really looking forward to seeing how a different school works.

I shan't think on that for now. It is the Christmas break.

Merry Christmas all.

Pants and more Pants

This has been a bad week in terms of professional relationships.


Obviously I won't go into too much detail on this public blog. In brief: a misunderstanding between Person X and myself has been blown out of proportion and now I feel incredibly awkward in the department.

Thank goodness I have a mentor and an ITT co-ordinator in school to reassure me that I haven't done anything wrong.

Still, I feel rubbish and unwanted by Person X - who has acted unprofessionally towards me, and who believes I'm at fault, but refuses to discuss things.

Seriously questioning my placement, which is a shame because I love the other members of staff.

At least this week's teaching hasn't been a complete disaster.


Hopefully next week will be better- although part of me is dreading going into school, which makes me even more sad.

Top Tips:

1. Use your mentor for support, if you can. That's what s/he is there for.
2. Regardless of the situation, remain professional and civil. That way you've done everything you can.

Back to School

I've completed one full week in school and now it's December and freezing! Where did November go?

It's been a mixed week.


Good points: Delivered some starters which weren't complete disasters. I have things to evaluate and have begun identifying (and working on) my biggest weaknesses. I planned a 'sketch' (it's slightly more detailed than a medium-term plan, but not to the extent of actual lesson plans) of what I want to do with y7 when I take them. Their host teacher seems impressed with my ideas. I feel more like a part of the department now- being there everyday helps.


Grumbles: Haven't begun my next essay, which is due early January. I only have a couple of lessons that I'm teaching with Y9 before xmas. I hope I'm not going to be at a loss for when I move to the second placement. Hopefully I'll get more after xmas. The y9 host teacher is lovely so I don't feel awkward approaching her to request stuff.


Still quite surprised by how little time we have on-placement.

My first 'profile review' is in two weeks- eek!

Pretty much finished my xmas shopping this weekend! WOW! So prepared.

And now to plan starters on paragraphs and apostrophes...