Ed Offer's weblog

The S4 History exams were sat yesterday. Afterwards, the students seemed to think that the Credit paper was easier than previous papers. Was this because of the questions, or the fact that one was about a poster I had coincidentally shown them only 2 weeks before!!

I also thought the credit paper was a good one – what did other History teachers think?

Spent a rewarding few hours yesterday helping the Support For Learning team transcribe a pupil’s General and Credit History paper. I’d recommend everyone to have a go at helping out as I really got a feel for how the student went about their responses.

I also got to see first-hand how the excellent Support for Learning team here deal so admirably with students’ special arrangements at exam time.

This looks like a really good resource for anyone looking to start or brush up on using Word or Power-point.

The on-line tutorials seem concise and easy to try out. http://www.reviseict.co.uk/lessons/index.shtml

The aforementioned session also introduced to the group what could potentially become a very valuable set of learner entitlements. These aimed to set out key things we should be doing as teachers and things we too can expect as learners. It got us thinking about our own teaching and practice, and the fact that we are constantly learning and changing.

Coincidentally I was asked as an NQT to observe a lesson as part of an internal review of a department’s practice and these learner entitlements formed the basis of the observation criteria. The form itself was too small and did not allow for detailed comments but the idea was great and really got me thinking as well. The lesson by the way was really good and I saw pupils who I teach take on a totally different attitude to the tasks…..mental note: must do many more observations next year!

Spent the morning at Musselburgh discussion Teaching and Learning with fellow Primary and Secondary probationers in East Lothian. As Don has mentioned in his Blog of the session, the small group discussion was really interesting but was cut short to make time for the whole group-discussion.

Our group came up with some really good issues, particularly facing P7 to S1 transistion.

We agreed that teachers at S1 needed better knowledge of what topics and what type of activities Primary pupils had been doing prior to the August start-date. This has to be carefully collated so as not to damage the level of autonomy over lessons rightly enjoyed by Primary teachers, but it would enable secondary teachers to stretch students at S1.

A case in point: I’ve just got back course evaluation forms from our current S1 cohort and many of them have stated that they found certain bits ‘ boring’ because they had already covered them at Primary. The problem for us is that only some of our feeder primaries have covered these topics so they have to get taught at S1.

Don put forward the idea that Secondary should become more like Primary school. The initial reaction of most secondary teachers on Thursday was – what about my subject? I myself feel that my subject could come under threat if a primary approach is taken. Not enough History is taught in schools as it is, and there is a danger that the subject is consumed by more topic-led projects.

Nevertheless, the challenge for secondary teachers is to understand Primary teaching and take best practice from it. The emphasis on individuals having responsibility for their own learning pace and level is certainly something which can be forgotten in secondary, as there the emphasis is on covering the curriculum in hour lesson chunks.

Will look forward to reading the feedback from the session.

Lots to think about – anyone got any other comments/ideas?

Have a cracking sun burnt face today having been on the hills as part of East Lothian Council’s BELA course. This weekend was the course assessment and I’m chuffed to report that everyone in the group passed.

The course has been a big commitment with a lot of hours, including two entire weekends away. However, it has been incredibly rewarding and I’ve now got the confidence and qualification to take groups out on expeditions.

The 13 strong group consisted of teachers and council workers and became a superb team – everyone got on like a house on fire and worked to each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Cheers and well-done to all involved, especially Liz Brookes who ran it admirably. I really recommend it to anyone who is interested in outdoor activities, no matter what your previous experience.

We had a real mix of abilities from complete novices to experienced Munro-baggers and have all reached the required level whilst having a great time.

I’ll post some pics of our sun-kissed weekend on Arran when I get them, but maybe not the one of my face at the moment I got the worst cramp in my life climbing North Goatfell!!

If you are in East Lothian here is the link for next years brochure:

Further to my previous blog, I’ve been watching adverts for Big Brother with despair – how can they put on another dross series just when my Higher students ought to be revising?!! The fate of the nation in the hands of Endemol and it is not looking good!

Oops, got to go….Lost is on.

All quiet on the blogging front from me for a while. I’m finding it difficult to sit down and reflect on a very busy few weeks. Now that the S4 and Higher students are away on exam leave, I’ve got more time on my hands.

Getting the students prepared to sit their exams with confidence was certainly a difficult time. Some students failed to realise the speed at which time can pass and were quite happy to leave things to the last minute.

Although we can all be accused of having left things late in the past, could it be that one of the most important skills of exam-time is organisation? Many students do not seem to prioritise their revision above the myriad of social events vying for a sixteen year-old’s time.

Everyone is looking towards the Easter break with frazzled brains and low batteries. I’ve found this term particularly fraut as I am, in-part, responsible for the imminent exam responses of two Standard Grade classes and one Higher class. Getting students motivated and focused on the exams is really stressful. We’ve upped the homework quota and have got time to focus on skills revision after the Easter-break. Students themselves are looking down, and this is not helped by the amount of work I’ve given them over the break!! Nevertheless, they have to do the work and I can’t hold their hand, no matter how responsible I feel.

I certainly remember exam time well all those years ago! I thought four weeks was an age and I had plenty of time, only to let time slip and rush everything at the last minute. I hope I can influence them to get organised asap if they have not already done so.

Attended theAttended the Scottish Rugby Schools Bowl Final at Murrayfield last night where Dunbar 1st XV succeeded in winning a superb game. Along with many other teachers, parents and pupils, my voice is hoarse this morning from shouting and cheering.

The team battled heroically to win, after being under great pressure for much of the second-half. It was a great game to watch and the whole school is celebrating proudly today. Well done lads!!