Join teachers and educationalists for #ukedchat each Thursday between 8-9 pm GMT for Edu chat. Education news, resources, and @UKEdSch website with @UKEdMag
#ukedchat A1 It has to. End of term, kids shattered, teachers burned out...It needs to be more engaging and reward focussed. My #SEMH school changed from a 5 to 4 lesson day for the last few weeks with lesson 5 now enrichment, mainly art or football...it works.
A1 As far as a support service can comment. It seems that there is less structure, more outside learning and plans can change at the drop of a hat. Good for students rubbish for anyone outside planning to come in and teach/support #ukedchat
#ukedchat A1: yes! Definitely! Many of our students experience more anxiety as the summer term progresses, fear of the unknown during summer, less structure, or leaving their placement. Their capacity to engage in learning is affected!
Capacity to engage is definitely affected. The feel of school changes as far as a support service is concerned. Last minute changes happen with very little notice. We stop pushing at this time of year. #ukedchat
A1 There is more opportunity to work outside. Sometimes this is being outside simply for the sake of being outside! Taking learning outside but sticking to the "usual" curriculum such as reading sessions in the sunshine, maths problem-solving at the picnic tables... #UKEdChat
A2 There are lots of out of school visits at this time of year. Especially trips to the beach which can't be done in the winter :) We try to encourage visits to @gylibrary our public library at this time of year #ukedchat
A1 I think chn and adults alike are tired at the end of the summer term. So I plan for more practical lessons for the afternoon sessions. Our current topic is sculpture. They are enjoying it and learning by creating and investigating. #UKEdChat
#ukedchat A2: with the weather I'm able to run most of my therapy sessions outdoors which is a nice change for my students. In terms of other sessions, they do their Duke of Edinburgh during the summer term 😎
#UKEdChat A1. Learning has to change, especially in this heat. Children are tired and ready for summer break. Last week we trialled the new curriculum for Wales. Children planned and carried out their own learning around the theme of plastics. Huge success. Enthusiasm all round.
We have a very hot building with little air flow so the curriculum has to change - sport in the morning when we usually do pm sessions. More outdoor learning and fewer assemblies etc. #UKEdChat
A2 We do a whole-school day out in the summer-term. The summer term falls at the right point in the year for a "treat" such as this, but the weather is often on our side, too. In the last few years we've done visits to a lighthouse, adventure days & trips to the park. #UKEdChat
It's usually mixed staff/student teams, so everyone gets involved and it's great for building social skills/relationships...and doing ridiculous goal celebrations when I actually score 😂😂😂
Lots of outdoor learning easier in the summer months - we have a great outdoor space and forest that is utilised all year round but has more impact during the summer months. #UKEdChat
A2 More outdoor learning, growing plants (linked to science), learning about shadows (tried this is autumn once, never again!. We have an annual 'Let's Get Growing' event which was today. Plants on sale and lots of outdoor stalls - perfect for this time of year. #UKEdChat
A3 Timetables change quickly depending on the weather. Teachers get a better offer than working with the librarian and can get short notice cancellation emails or sometimes turn up to find the class has gone out for the day. #ukedchat
Tired pupils and staff who are even more tired and burnt out! Parents who don't understand and are only waiting for reports, sports' day, info on next year's classes and teachers. #UKEdChat
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#ukedchat A3: #1 transition & admissions planning!!! Supporting students to understand what leaving means and to achieve optimum planning so that we're prepared for our new students. Difficulty to tie everyone together to achieve this!
#ukedchat A3 #SEMH students do not cope well with adverse weather, preparing them for learning is tough, getting the classroom cool with plenty to drink and keeping them engaged when another class are having fun playing football can be tough.
#UkEdChat A2 In maths (primary school) having covered most of the curriculum, I like the luxury of holding longer problem solving sessions that can last a few lessons. Pupils can really get into a problem and make their own conjectures to explore.
A3 There was a sense of "being finished" for the Y6s once the SATs were done. It felt like everyone's attention turned to Y5's data & the Y6s no longer mattered... weeks of keeping them under control & not focussed on learning. Glad we abandoned SATs in the Isle of Man #UKEdChat
#ukedchat a2. Last week of term is activities week, no lessons everyone signs up for an activity run by staff. We also do a whole school walk for charity in the penultimate week.
#UKEdChat A2. Outdoor learning is so much easier in summer2. Taking maths lessons outside, art on the school yard, PE lessons on a dry field. It’s also important to just enjoy the weather. Children are loving just playing together, spending time in the sunshine.
A4 Just having this very discussion with a teacher today. I think it must be really difficult as teachers really need to finish this year but it makes sense to begin to focus on next year too #ukedchat
#UKEdChat A3. Behaviour and enthusiasm are currently the most challenging aspects of school life. Children are tired and grumpy. Patience of both pupils and teachers are running thin. It’s hard to raise enthusiasm when the majority of the class are melting into puddles 😬
A3 What do people think of school uniform & staff dress-codes in the summer term? We've had weeks of very warm weather & I'm not sure that the heat makes for ideal learning conditions, especially when some schools remain strict about certain aspects of uniform (eg ties) #UKEdChat
A3 Coping with changes (new class, new team of staff), making sure not to wind down too early and trying to keep a routine, lots of events (end of year trip, sports day, fiver challenge fair, Year 6 talent show...) and at the moment the heat! #UKEdChat
Both of my schools make use of public libraries as much as possible, and we often use resources from the @FamilyLibraryIM to support our topics and themes. #UKEdChat
In reply to
@Elizabethutch, @ukedchat, @FamilyLibraryIM
#ukedchat a3 keeping year 10 focused. Sports events e.g pre sports day (field events), island sports, some students going off island for competitions, students having holidays
A4 Teachers must remain focussed on their current class until the end of the summer term. It is unfair to write off the last few weeks of a term for the children in a class - that is valuable learning time. #UKEdChat
A3 #UKEdChat The lack of motivation to learn once the end of year assessments are finished and have been graded. I really wish the students could simply end their year on their last exam day
Totally agree - and this is the case even if you are moving on to a new school -the class you are leaving deserve your full focus until you leave. #UKEdChat
Older kids often respond so well to staff participating in sporting activities. One Y11 maths class I took years ago were difficult to engage for months until we happened to compete at the same water polo event out of school. They were so easy to work with from then on! #UkedChat
In reply to
@BunsenLearner, @Elizabethutch, @ukedchat
Totally agree. We have a transition morning with a new class and apart from that my focus is on my current class. They like routine and I try to keep to it as much as I can. #UKEdChat
A5 It makes sense to have the longest holiday when the weather is hotest/nicest but maybe there is an argument to share out the holidays more evenly... not sure what teachers think but know as a parent 6 weeks is a long time :) #ukedchat
#ukedchat A5: for our #SEND students you could argue any long period of time off is too long....as others have highlighted hot, muggy weather can be difficult for students to cope with and regulate their bodies effectively
#a4 Not until current class has left or moved on. Really not good focusing on new class as soon as you know who they are when you still have weeks left with the current class
Need to plan activities that are good for year 6 to 7 transition. We focus on writing after SATs for Teacher assessment data due then work on topic work and transition help, plus sports and Shakespeare production, still a focus on learning. #UKEdChat
#A5 yes I think it still is. Although it was originally for farm and summer work I still think it's likely to be hotter and a good time to rest up #ukedchat
Y3 trip to a wildflower meadow in a stunning location. They spent the morning exploring and drawing and the afternoon playing hide and seek with the staff. All in very warm weather.
#ukedchat#wildflowerhour
Yes - I've often felt that SATs (if they have to be done) are too early since the pupils (and some teachers) can turn off after all the stress. It's a long gap from May to September if pupils are not engaged. Project work can help to engage them. #UkEdChat
A5 The weather is better so you can enjoy holiday time. I like having a long break in summer to recharge! In terms of economics, running costs for a school during winter (heating, lighting) are greater so the long holidays could be split between winter break and summer.#UKEdChat
A6 Encourage them to read! Summer Reading Challenge for younger students. We have started a book award to engage yrs 5,6 and 7. Take them to the library, share a book with them! #ukedchat
#ukedchat A6: I have some keen parents happy to help continue therapy work at home. I'll be sending out resources for them to use with their young adults to continue the work we have been doing at intervals over the holidays 😊
This is great! unfortunately it is the children that need the most help that do not get it from home. We find this when running sessions about reading for pleasure. The parents who do read turn up and those that don't don't. Preaching to the converted. #ukedchat
A6 Getting chn into reading is important and my class love story time. I encourage parents to join the local library and to take their chn over the summer so they have access to books.Some parents have requested useful websites so they can help their chn over the break. #UKEdChat
#ukedchat a6 - For GCSE students, have set up flash card sets through quizlet they practise. Also have digital textbooks to revise from and this year giving them knowledge organisers
We opted for summer dresses and polo shirts with shorts which could be worn from Easter until October half term if wished. I've always thought dress codes for male teachers are unfair compared to females who can wear dresses and sandals.
#ukedchat A6 I have been known to give out lists of (free) local places of interest students could go with families...I'd rather they had quality time with their own, can recap covalent bonding in September....
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A7 Pupils should enjoy their childhood, get outside, play, spend time with the family, with siblings, with friends... I honestly believe this is what will give them the readiness for new learning in the new academic year. Rest, relaxation and play. #UKEdChat
#UKEdChat A6. I’m always encouraging my children to read for pleasure. More so these last couple of weeks in hopes that they will continue the good practice over the summer holidays! I’ve also been showing them fun iPad games and websites knowing some will access them at home.
#UKEdChat A7. Children should be doing exactly what their teachers will be: having some well deserved R&R. It’s far more important to recharge batteries and go on adventures than studying and worrying about the upcoming year 🙄✋🏼
A8 Be good to yourself and take time off. Teachers can't do their job without re-charging their batteries. Have fun first and plan to start a week before to get ready for the new year. You are all great, you deserve it! #ukedchat
A8 Everyone should be free to find that balance - different people rest, relax and work in different ways. As long as there isn't some sort of "expectation" from SLT for teachers to be spending time in school... that would be very poor leadership IMO #UKEdChat
A8 I try to do some prep for new term at the end of this one (the first medium term plan, staffing timetable for year group). We have two teacher days at the start of the new school year to get the classroom ready and to have a few meetings. It works well. #UKEdChat
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Yes and allow them to be bored - our pupils' lives can be so carefully managed by parents and so packed with extra curricular activities that they don't know how to entertain themselves (apart from on the computer!) #UkEdChat
#ukedchat A8 Don't do a damn thing for the first 4 weeks. It takes 2 to get in a relaxed state of mind. Enjoy the time off. Don't check your emails, don't mark or plan, it can wait.
