Teachers have had to respond to the challenge of the school closures due to COVID-19. Just as we are getting used to a ‘new normal,’ we are having to adapt to the uncertainty and difficulty of the recovery period. Despite our best efforts to deliver our existing curricula, its impact will be greatly variable for […]
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In the English classroom How we did it – planning We began by looking at the curriculum. What KS4 content did students struggle most with? What vocabulary could we teach them to help them communicate their ideas more clearly? We looked at our literature texts, the demands of GCE English Language and then at our […]
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As the coronavirus pandemic hit, we were told to wash our hands for at least 20 seconds with soap or detergent several times a day. However, many people also called for alcohol gels to be made available in many workplaces, including schools. So, what is the difference between all these different methods of cleaning our […]
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As teachers in schools we currently need to simultaneously plan for both a normal September AND a second lockdown. What ways can we try to achieve both of these long term plans?
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It started with a book… Closing the Vocabulary Gap by Alex Quigley is the book that started the Stretford High School English Department’s endeavor to improve our students’ vocabulary. Quigley opened the dialogue for a problem we knew existed but weren’t sure how to solve. His book clarified the classification of words we needed students […]
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Dr Marcello Giovanelli and Dr Chloe Harrison explain how cognitive grammar workshops developed into a pack of tried-and-tested resources. Style and interpretation Stylistics is the study of language patterns in text, and of the meaningful relationship between linguistic choice and literary interpretation. In this collection of classroom resources, we present a particular stylistic ‘tool’, Cognitive […]
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Lockdown is a weird time for us all; but spare a thought for trainee and newly qualified professionals that have been catapulted into their careers at an alarming rate. Teachers are not exempt from this fate and they will be starting their classroom careers without the support that would usually be on offer as lockdown […]
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Libby Ahluwalia shares preparation strategies for students in lockdown who are moving from GCSE to A Level Religious Studies next term Coronavirus is presenting a lot of difficulties and uncertainties for everyone, including those of you who are moving on from Year 11 and planning to begin studying for A levels next term. Many of […]
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Rebecca Nobes shares five strategies she’s using to adjust to teaching from home during lockdown. I’d like to start this blog with a quick disclaimer, I am no expert. I am a teacher like any other just trying to make these strange times work as best they can. This blog is an opportunity for me […]
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When Gavin Williamson announced the cancellation of all formal examinations this summer, it was arguably the biggest tremor the education sector had felt in recent history. Both teachers and students were rattled, experiencing a range of emotions including frustration, fear, relief and even a sense of grief over what had been taken away without negotiation […]
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