#Kinderchat Archive
#Kinderchat, glue, glitter, gogurt, bringing daily joy to twitter. Find us Mondays, 9 pm EST and 8:30PM London time when we talk all things Early Years!
Monday January 18, 2016
I know!! That seemed like forever ago?? How is that even possible?!! :)
Obviously meant a week not a wek! I have no idea what a wek is but if it could describe my day then I've had a wek!!!
Its a holiday here in America! No school today so is nice to chat from house! Id make a cuppa but I never end up drinking it!
You had school today then?
Dr Martin Luther King's birthday!!
Yep, all day! Mondays are always tricky but had new ASD child start today, so even trickier
You have a new crabby avatar! :) Are you crabby?! :) I always say "Im on my broomstick!" when I am!!
Oh forgive me, I haven't even seen the news today, Wrapped in my own little bubble of wek!
It's a cute crab so I'm sure it's not that bad!! haha :) xoxo
haha! No no, I just made this little fella in my 'animation' class and was rather proud of it :p
I totally understand!! Plus is so the same but also so different between US/Europe!!
Its sweet. I must work out how to change mine and pack away my christmas jumper
Wow!!! Animation class?! Sounds fantastic!! He is clay?!
They made it "easier" but its actually harder! I think the icon is on your home page to the far right? Can't remember
I just remember it's off to itself vs grouped w the other changing options!!
So tell more about the class?! Did you have to photograph each tiny movement?? I always wonder how they do that
we used an awesome bit of software called zu3D. It helps you to take the frames and make the movie
Sounds amazing!! I'm not sure I'd have the patience!! Though tech advancements make much smoother Id think!
So I was tossing around two different topics for tonight: Reflections on: 1. diversity and bias or 2. effective administrators
Diversity and bias because oc Dr King's birthday plus an ongoing, evolving issue (not sure where England/Europe is on this tho)
And effective administrators because it's something we don't often discuss. What sounds interesting?
When you say administrators do you mean us as administrators?
Was thinking more principals and the higher ups- I think the structure is slightly different in UK?
Yeh! Done it. Now have a natural Forest School butterfly artwork
Also yay you got it!! New avatar!! :)
We have a head teacher & 1 office administrator. But school has governors, who are basically where the buck stops
There's another good free one called pivot
Ok so am getting that head teacher might be in charge of large numbers of children and assistants? So she coordinates?
Like there might be 3 head teachers for 100 kids? And then a governor in charge of everyone at each school?
School governors are volunteers who should, in theory, 'govern' the school. Don't always have the expertise
Did you use these apps in your class or another method?
1 head then senior leadership team (SLT), usually based around key stages.
Yes! Those are our Principals! Ok so now I know! :) How closely do Governors work with the Head Teachers?
Ah!! Got it!! That's what is doing now right?
Currently only used them at uni, but hoping to get a chance to use them when I go out to school
Varies depending on school. I have been a parent governor and staff governor. We have church governors too
So key stages are divided up- like Early Years and then under 7 years old?
How long do you have left again? It's coming up isn't it?
Yeah not long now! I go for my first visit day on the 2nd feb!!
Wait so are the parent governor and the staff governor equal? 2 employees who work in tandem just w those populations?
Yes, Early Years, Key Stage 1 up to 7, then Key Stage 2 up to 11. KS3 and KS4 is our high school
So I learned I am actually a Year 1 teacher vs a Reception- thought I was Reception for 3 years haaaaa
All governor roles are voluntary. But on a governing body, yes equal.
Hah! it gets confusing! In Scotland chn go straight into primary 1 - no reception at all!
So what's nice about that is it gives a teacher a place to go- like there's a place she can expand and grow into?
Reception is mandatory in UK? Year 1 is where US starts by law- so interesting.
As a staff governor? Its a role done alongside your normal role, good for CV
A huge problem in US is that teachers can really only be 1. classroom teacher or 2. Governor
Children need to be in school by age 5, but most start in Sept before they turn 5.
In England when child 4 they go into reception. In Scotland they go into primary 1. Same thing, diff name
Is your 'governor' role a paid role?
So the staff governor is usually a classroom teacher (doing double duty) to help coordinate staff issues?
Yes- the Principal (aka Governor) is full time, it's own position. The Head of the School.
Being a governor can involve whole school topics, curriculum, H&S, staffing, finance etc
Then there's Superintendents who coordinate whole districts, areas. Multiple schools
We have some teachers interested in seeing the Reggio model in action on 2/12. Available/interested in hosting?
Like our head but she is accountable to the governors
Do they usually hire outside people who aren't teaching at the same time or they also are in the classroom?
But still one year before education at 5!
For some yes. I have some turned 5 last Oct & some 4 until Aug, huge difference
Yes! So England starts at 4, Scotland at 5? US at 5
no no, most children in Scotland go to school at the same point as in England (4/5 yrs)
For a governor role? We have a range, local vicar, business people, local residents, plus parents
The rest of the world = 6!
A that makes a huge difference
it really does! Goes back to early theorists (like Piaget) - wait until chn ready to learn!
True- it gets tricky quick if Early Years is done incorrectly!!
Is why I worry about more and more focus on Early education-though good, it could go BAD!
So circling back- what are some hallmarks of good Governors? What leadership qualities are the most supportive to classroom?
UK seems to have more issues with "push-down" curriculum than other places though correct?
At least that's what a "tiger mom" I encountered from England told me! :)
We used to say someone who is a critical friend. Someone who can question
excuse my ignorance: push down curriculum?
I think same refer to it as pressure Not really needed
RT We used to say someone who is a critical friend. Someone who can question
push down= doing more earlier, like having to read by age 5, etc
Yes! Constructive critiquing
That too! I saw an article about 3 yo starting to read!
Nothing wrong with that if they're ready. But shouldn't be pushed upon them!!
While some 3 year olds can read, doing alphabet prep isn't quality education for age
This speaks to the knowledge base of those in charge- so easy to get lured into falseness
Agreed. Differentiation is really important! Can't assume that ALL children will be ready
Especially when you have leaders who aren't grounded in strong child development
That's the danger of pushing down-like "all children WILL walk by 10 months" doesnt work
Does changing a few details change the story? That's what we asked about the 3 Little Pigs: https://t.co/ix0pZJqF7t
Nor do they listen to those who know CD sadly!
As if walking by 10 months will better prepare them for running at age 5 and skipping
Hah! When you think about it, you realise how bizarre that assumption really is!
Agreed!! So many Governors/Administrators are afraid of Early education.
We do have in but often overlooked
Meaning is it a program? or just unique children?! :)
Agreed. Some have no idea what early years should like like.
Sad as it is very rewarding
CfE also focusses on differentiation... but it's down to the quality of the teacher
It's the danger of business model that says there's CEOs can be CEO of anything.
Thank you!! Will look this over more carefully after chat is over!
EYFS is our statutory framework where learning is all about the child
Yes!! And they are worth GOLD!! :) https://t.co/akv4i1JL1b
there are some brave heads who trust EY pedagogy, but its easier not to
I didn't even know this existed! What a great idea
but they are so under pressure thinking about what ofsted want to see
Just found you Kate! Love your tweets! :) Agree about the Midsummers!!
Yes! Started when we started
Such misconception creates anxiety about Ofsted
But many have never taught EY so dont have a clue
Thats it! Flash&dash impresses those who dont know what to look for!
And thats where good governors come in, to support what EY teachers do
I definitely will!! Thank you!!
And thats where good RT And that's where good governors come in, to support what EY teachers do
Sometimes it's like bashing your head against a brick wall... :( https://t.co/j1D0h8NyGU
No at all. It's an 'Outstanding' school with no free flow or sensory learning in EYFS
I know EXACTLY what you mean!!! EXACTLY!!
But how much outstanding is about the head talking the talk, with data etc
Ultimately, is why YOUR VOICES and SHARING YOUR PRACTICE are so important. To show process vs product= INVALUABLE
YES!! Oh Kate Hello!! :) https://t.co/TEt1fhXqDb
Thank you. It's perfectly possible to teach ch to read & write well thru EYFS pedagogy
