As an English teacher I am surely granted the eternal power of an exaggeration fueled headline every once in a while. Ok – so perhaps highlighters aren’t the biggest problem in education, but if you know me well, you may have heard my complaint whereat these gaudy coloured pens symbolize some deep rooted issues with teaching and learning […]
Why I Hate Highlighters! Read More »
I was brought up by my family to believe that you got your just rewards for working hard. It is a belief that has stayed with me and nourished me throughout my life. Well, with some important qualifications. You see, we weren’t very good at mathematics in my family. In fact, nor were we naturally any
The Problem with Growth Mindset Read More »
If you clicked on this post for some suggestions for teaching perfection I am sorry I misled you. This post has the sole purpose of disabusing people of the damaging notion that teaching perfection exists, or that you may become a perfect teacher. Rest assured, you won’t. And you shouldn’t really want to. The very
The Perfect Teacher Read More »
Wayne Rooney, aged 16, scoring an iconic goal against Arsenal. Genius derived from genes? Or does practice make perfect? Most young boys grow up in Liverpool playing football and little else. I fulfilled the stereotype with aplomb. I’d play football in shop doorways, braving passing buses, or, more safely, in local parks with the proverbial
The Key to Success: Deliberate Practice or our Genes? Read More »
I have stolen this catchy title from the eminently likeable Mike Cladingbowl, OFSTED’s Director of Schools. You heard me right – top inspector praised for his sage words about teaching and learning. Here they are for your delectation: “What about teachers’ subject knowledge, the children’s sense of routine, the ability to turn direction mid-sentence, a
Infectious Explanations Read More »
Etymology (noun) The study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history. Etymology is often often considered the preserve of the English teacher. I would argue that it is a goldmine of an opportunity (too often missed) for teachers of every subject discipline. The stories that underpin our language can
What is in a word? Etymology for Every Teacher Read More »
Please take a minute to undertake the following little linguistic task. Grab a pen and a piece of paper. Write down a few sentences that describe yourself in a good mood. Now, write some sentences that describe yourself in a bad mood. Do you notice any patterns of language? Do you employ any clichés or common
The Magic of Metaphor Read More »
