Good Habits by @DoWise

Name: Douglas Wise
Twitter name: @DoWise
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): English
Position: Head of Department
What is your advice about? Good Habits

1. Create seating plans: don’t allow students to choose where they sit.
2. Be in your classroom before each lesson begins and greet students at the door.
3. Have work books and resources on the desks, ready to use, at the start of the lesson.
4. Log all behavioural incidents, good and bad.
5. Keep your classroom tidy.

Surviving your NQT year by @Ejbelshaw

Name: Emily
Twitter name: @Ejbelshaw
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): History
Position: History teacher
What is your advice about? Surviving your NQT year

1. Create a marking timetable and stick to it, little and often is better and more effective than leaving it until the last minute. Students appreciate the consistent feedback.
2. Take as much time to observe others. Be a sponge and learn as much as you can.
3. Build a rapport with repro and send gifts at Xmas- always good to have them on board in case of an emergency!
4. Stay healthy, eat well and take care of yourself!
5. Enjoy teaching and work hard, but take time for yourself. A happy teacher is a good teacher, students do notice and rapport will be impacted.

Teaching A Level Literature by @JoBullen1

Name: Jo
Twitter name: @JoBullen1
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): English
Position: Subject Leader
What is your advice about? Teaching A Level Literature

1. Know your stuff. Annotate the text thoroughly, read study guides, follow links online – whatever it takes to make you an expert.
2. Don’t neglect writing skills at the expense of content. Build in short writing tasks, perhaps only focusing on one or two assessment objectives.
3. Encourage academic reading around the topic. Physically put it in front of them if necessary, and direct them to take notes.
4. Insist upon discussion. Let the silence sit if necessary, and use different strategies to force students to contribute.
5. Treat them like your other classes. Six short weeks ago they were Year 11s – the same rules apply.

The getting-to-know-you first lesson by @JamesTheo

Name: James Theobald
Twitter name: @JamesTheo
Sector: Secondary
Subject taught (if applicable): English
Position: Teacher
What is your advice about? The getting-to-know-you first lesson

1. The purpose of this lesson is purported to be an opportunity for you to get to know your class.
2. This isn’t necessary. You won’t really get to know them in one lesson. You’ll get to know them well enough over time.
3. Actually, you should use this lesson for them to get to know YOU: what to expect in your lessons; what to expect from you.
4. The way to do this is easy: tell them, very simply, your expectations, your rules. Do any book admin you need to do. Then…
5. …get them stuck into the work. This tells them what to expect of you.