The Behaviour Learning Conversation by @drake_kieran

Name: Kieran
Twitter:  @drake_kieran
Sector:  Secondary
Subject: RE
Position: Head of Department
5 Bits of Advice About: The behaviour learning conversation

1. Use the language of ‘choices’ and ‘consequences’. This taps into a student’s understanding of justice and fairness.
2. Start by asking the student to rate their performance in the lesson out of 100. Ask them why they didn’t say 0 and why they didn’t say 100.
3. List very clearly each of the bad choices they made. Give them clear reasons connected to learning (“because I’m your teacher” or “because I said so” will not help you).
4. Give them no more than 2 things that you want them to better next time.
5. Carrot/Stick – Tell them how you’ll reward them if they follow the target in your next lesson. Tell them what the consequence of choosing not to will be.

Running Your First Meeting by @molin_bryan

Name: Bryan Molin
Twitter:  @molin_bryan
Sector:  Secondary
Subject:
Position: Assistant Headteacher
5 Bits of Advice About: Running your first meeting

1. Make sure the agenda and resources are out well in advance so people can prepare.
2. Keep to time. A good meeting should not last more than one hour.
3. Build time for feedback and discussion, but make sure all voices are heard. Involve the “silent voices” in your team.
4. Don’t be afraid to cut a discussion short, for it to be revisited in future or in a different format.
5. The people that are perceived as”blockers” are often good staff who provide important feedback. Listen to all points of view.

#Starterforfive Chat Recap – Sunday 29 November

You can catch up on the chat here.

Teacher Survival Kit by @Gwenelope

Name: Gwen Nelson
Twitter:  @Gwenelope
Sector:  FE
Subject: English
Position: Lecturer A-Level and GCSE English courses
5 Bits of Advice About: Teacher survival kit

1. Thermos camping mug with lid: so that you can carry your caffeine elixir around with ease AND the lid prevents spillage onto work clothes.
2. Supplies of your caffeine elixir of choice: coffee, tea or (an unspecified brand of) cola. Non-caffeine options are available.
3. A bottle of water: You will get dehydrated, especially in summer. Squirrel away some water in the office fridge, drink it.
4. Medicine: Lemsip, throat sweets, paracetamol, ibuprofen. Try not to take them all at once – if you feel that bad, you shouldn’t be at work.
5. Emergency chocolate: It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a teacher, in possession of THAT Year 9 class, must be in want of some chocolate.

Contacting Parents by @sara_lou_loves

Name: SaraLouise
Twitter:  @sara_lou_loves
Sector:  Secondary
Subject: English
Position: 2ic/KS4 Coordinator
5 Bits of Advice About: Contacting parents

1. Positive contact home is important and can build relationships. Always try to open and close a conversation with positives-it shows you care.
2. Double check parent details for correct names and surnames as well as child protection issues- some parents must/must not receive the contact. Be sure before you call.
3. Golden rule: start with a positive, explain the issue, explain the impact of the issue, explain what you have done already, tell them what you intend to do, end with a positive.
4. Have specific data and facts ready before you call. Vague comments aren’t helpful. Most parents cannot and will not argue with specific data/ numbers.
5. Remember, we may teach over 200 students a week but to the parent you are on the phone to, only their child matters. As a parent, you will understand that too.

Doing The Job You’re Employed To Do by @MissCranky

Name: MissCranky
Twitter:  @MissCranky
Sector:  Secondary
Subject:
Position: Teacher
5 Bits of Advice About: Doing the job you’re employed to do

1. Know your conditions of service. This might be School Teachers’ Pay & Conditions, or different if you’re in an academy – but you need to know what you’re employed to do.
2. Be on time: to lessons, to meetings, to briefings, to parents’ evenings – to everything. There is no excuse for being late.
3. Do your duties. Not showing up, or being late to them, means you leave other staff vulnerable should something happen. At best it means other staff having to cover for you.
4. Know your rights in terms of rarely cover, directed time, class sizes, classroom temperatures – the day to day stuff is as important as the ‘big issues’.
5. Read the school policies. Start with those that impact you most, and work your way through them: this will benefit you in the long run.

Teaching A Level Maths by @Bigkid4

Name: Bigkid4
Twitter:  @Bigkid4
Sector:  Secondary
Subject: Maths
Position: Teacher
5 Bits of Advice About: Teaching A Level Maths

1. If pupils weren’t motivated, independent learners in year 11 then they still won’t be… Unless you teach them to be.
2. Practice is vital. The more practice they get at everything the better.
3. Your class is highly likely to have a wide range of abilities. Plan to have to break everything down more for at least some of the class.
4. Don’t assume that they can do GCSE maths content. At least some of them will probably not be able to.
5. Set a lot of homework right from the outset. Make them respond proactively if they can’t do it.

Surviving Your First Christmas in Primary by @MsHJS

Name: MsHJS
Twitter:  @MsHJS
Sector:  Primary
Subject:
Position: Assistant Headteacher
5 Bits of Advice About: Surviving your first Christmas in Primary

1. Visit Poundland and invest in a Christmas hat. You will need it either for the Christmas dinner, party or as a reward in the classroom.
2. Xmas is great fun but also incredibly busy. Identify the key tasks- who do you make cards for, does every child need a party hat etc and plan them into your timetable.
3. Children love Xmas but they also like structure, so don’t abandon all the routines you have worked so hard to embed. Keep the focus on teaching until the very end of term.
4. Don’t buy presents but give a laminated photo of the child or similar. Cheaper and easier.
5. If you receive gifts, open them with the kids so that they can tell their parents that you like them, but make it clear to others that the only gift you need is a smile.

Developing Your Teacher ‘Brand’ by @mrlyonsmaths

Name: Andy Lyons
Twitter:  @mylyonsmaths
Sector:  Secondary
Subject: Maths
Position: Second in Department
5 Bits of Advice About: Developing your teacher ‘brand’

1. Don’t do it…
2. Why would you?
3. Are you a supermarket or a high street shop?
4. Just be you!
5. You’re more than good enough without pretending to be something else. Wear a waistcoat.

Taking a Cover Lesson by @molin_bryan

Name: Bryan Molin
Twitter:  @molin_bryan
Sector:  Secondary
Subject:
Position: Assistant Headteacher
5 Bits of Advice About: Taking a cover lesson

1. Make sure you read through the cover work ahead of time. If there are any questions ask a member of the relevant department.
2. Visit the classroom you will be teaching in ahead of time so you have your bearings.
3. Make sure you have spare paper and equipment for this lesson. You don’t want to be struggling with the basics.
4. Teach it as if it was your lesson. Students appreciate a teacher who makes an effort and cares about their learning.
5. Keep behaviour management simple with lots of praise, but remain assertive. Students need to be quiet when you are giving instructions.