I spent all weekend planning an A Level lesson for an observation on Monday. Then I was told that the person who was supposed to be observing me was not in; however, it had also been arranged (inadvertently, mistakenly, I think) for another senior teacher to observe me later this week. The teacher who told me this then agreed to stay and watch my lesson, which I had prepared, as long as he was not needed elsewhere. Which turned out to be all but the final ten minutes.
Later, I asked if that would count as my observation. "Terrific lesson!" I was told. But, no, it would not count as an observation because he had not written anything down!! But it would be used to help write the report about the sixth form ...
Gee, thanks! Terrific!
Showing posts with label observation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label observation. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Barriers ...
... to blogging and on the Thames!
It's been another busy week in the life of Nzeru Louisa at school. We had a review this week of the department, and fortunately it all went well. We went out for tapas at the Mason de Felipe in Waterloo on Wednesday then watched the football in the pub across the road. Then I was at a course yesterday - very inspiring. Lots of ideas for school in September. Then we visited the Thames Barrier again today. Lovely day - sunny, warm, I put on a dress and enjoyed the heat, and we took loads of pictures of each other. Fun!
And, finally, Doctor Who was very exciting! Can't wait until next week!
It's been another busy week in the life of Nzeru Louisa at school. We had a review this week of the department, and fortunately it all went well. We went out for tapas at the Mason de Felipe in Waterloo on Wednesday then watched the football in the pub across the road. Then I was at a course yesterday - very inspiring. Lots of ideas for school in September. Then we visited the Thames Barrier again today. Lovely day - sunny, warm, I put on a dress and enjoyed the heat, and we took loads of pictures of each other. Fun!
And, finally, Doctor Who was very exciting! Can't wait until next week!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A good day
It's been a good day - a great day - all round! H has received the firstfruits from the printer, I had a lesson observed that went well - a "Good" lesson - and our school trip was also quite successful and enjoyable! I got a book and some posters for the class, which we will use as part of a display of our trip. Nice weather as well - a bit hot on the tube - all in all a good day. Managed to tick off a few things too!
Friday, April 04, 2008
Notes from this week
A busy sort of week with some late nights, and a few observations.
On the tube today, I heard one word in English, then a whole stream of conversation whose language I could not make out. What was it? Then, I tuned in ... the two boys sounded like my cousin, and were speaking in a broad Scottish accent! It was bad enough when I had overheard two Geordies that I thought were Dutch, but two Scots ...!
A couple of days ago ... I did not see the face of the woman, whose head was covered in a grey scarf, as she was walking away from me, and I was stuck in traffic going nowhere ... but the man stood for quite some time, looking her way, his fingers kissed by his lips, his Italianesque face gazing after her, stopped in his tracks.
One of my students did a great impersonation of his Dad dancing in class today. Very funny - and very good dancing!
I've been on the tube a couple of times this week. I enjoyed the walk through the park to school this morning. The grey squirrels skip up the trees as if attached by velcro.
I've rearranged my classroom, and, apart from the students who have been rebelling against the seating plan, I've noticed a bit of an improvement in behaviour. In some of the classes, students have produced more work.
After my accident, we are still waiting to get a date for the work to be done on the car. Next week some time. We need to get a new tyre first.
It's annoying ... there were a few funny things that happened that I wanted to share, but now I can't remember what they were! I had a few late nights, and also a couple of busy nights, so I couldn't write at the time.
Right. That will have to do then!
On the tube today, I heard one word in English, then a whole stream of conversation whose language I could not make out. What was it? Then, I tuned in ... the two boys sounded like my cousin, and were speaking in a broad Scottish accent! It was bad enough when I had overheard two Geordies that I thought were Dutch, but two Scots ...!
A couple of days ago ... I did not see the face of the woman, whose head was covered in a grey scarf, as she was walking away from me, and I was stuck in traffic going nowhere ... but the man stood for quite some time, looking her way, his fingers kissed by his lips, his Italianesque face gazing after her, stopped in his tracks.
One of my students did a great impersonation of his Dad dancing in class today. Very funny - and very good dancing!
I've been on the tube a couple of times this week. I enjoyed the walk through the park to school this morning. The grey squirrels skip up the trees as if attached by velcro.
I've rearranged my classroom, and, apart from the students who have been rebelling against the seating plan, I've noticed a bit of an improvement in behaviour. In some of the classes, students have produced more work.
After my accident, we are still waiting to get a date for the work to be done on the car. Next week some time. We need to get a new tyre first.
It's annoying ... there were a few funny things that happened that I wanted to share, but now I can't remember what they were! I had a few late nights, and also a couple of busy nights, so I couldn't write at the time.
Right. That will have to do then!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Two days to go ...
The conference was great, but it means I still haven't planned my lessons.
Had a horrendously busy today, meeting with a very nice, helpful man to discuss the progress of the Year 11s, sent six Year 7s to the Referral Room within about ten minutes of starting the lesson because they got involved in a scramble, the Year 11a were quite horrible and I was being observed, and the Year 10s all acted as if they were drunk.
And it snowed. Much more interesting than learning anything.
Hope they've calmed down by Wednesday ...
I'm feeling quite nervous, anxious and panicky. Must plan those lessons.
Had a horrendously busy today, meeting with a very nice, helpful man to discuss the progress of the Year 11s, sent six Year 7s to the Referral Room within about ten minutes of starting the lesson because they got involved in a scramble, the Year 11a were quite horrible and I was being observed, and the Year 10s all acted as if they were drunk.
And it snowed. Much more interesting than learning anything.
Hope they've calmed down by Wednesday ...
I'm feeling quite nervous, anxious and panicky. Must plan those lessons.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Coins, windows, observations
Felt more rested today ... just as well, another busy day!
Had a really nice AS lesson ... shame the attendance was rotten. We were learning about Utilitarianism and I think the students would find it much easier than some of the other ethical theories we have studied. Year 7s were (trying to) complete the work we started yesterday ... I wish they'd realise that it would be so much easier if they stayed in their seats and listened quietly to the instructions. Sent three to the Referral Room, because they were throwing coins about. Then I had my Year 10 class ... very little work done, but I then refused to let them go for lunch until they had completed a certain amount of work. It took some of them 15 minutes, some almost half an hour, because of their procrastination. One boy climbed out of the window, fell and got covered in dirt, the rest of the class got up and laughed at him, I pointed out that that was an automatic letter home, he said that was okay, his mum was late in on Fridays, when the letter would arrive, so he would get it first, I commented that in that case I would need to phone his mum to check she had received the letter, he looked sheepish while everyone laughed again, so I suggested he come back round (through the door this time) in order to complete his detention and we'd forget about it this time. So he did, and stayed for half an hour, which also gave me the opportunity to talk to him about the sort of support he'd like me to provide for his writing in class. There were about five boys who pushed their way out of the door ... I followed them up later with extra homework, and tried to call home, but couldn't get through to any of them. I've written up so I can discuss it with their Head of Year tomorrow ... I will keep on at them until I can crack them! (That's the plan, anyway!)
Also observed another lesson, my second this week. It's really hard giving feedback, especially when it's on the borderline between two "judgements". Lots of good things happening in the lesson, but could there have been more? At least it's done now. I should have two more observations tomorrow, but I think one of the teachers may still be off. Then I'll just have a couple left ... and someone should really observe me. But I'm keeping that quiet for now ... ! (I hate being observed!)
Must go now ... I have to plan my Year 11 lesson, a Year 10 cover lesson (for when I'm observing another teacher), and I need to read some documents and write a report for a meeting I can't go to tomorrow, and do some reading in preparation for the meeting I am going to go to tomorrow ... Must also get the salmon on the grill, and peel the potatoes!
Had a really nice AS lesson ... shame the attendance was rotten. We were learning about Utilitarianism and I think the students would find it much easier than some of the other ethical theories we have studied. Year 7s were (trying to) complete the work we started yesterday ... I wish they'd realise that it would be so much easier if they stayed in their seats and listened quietly to the instructions. Sent three to the Referral Room, because they were throwing coins about. Then I had my Year 10 class ... very little work done, but I then refused to let them go for lunch until they had completed a certain amount of work. It took some of them 15 minutes, some almost half an hour, because of their procrastination. One boy climbed out of the window, fell and got covered in dirt, the rest of the class got up and laughed at him, I pointed out that that was an automatic letter home, he said that was okay, his mum was late in on Fridays, when the letter would arrive, so he would get it first, I commented that in that case I would need to phone his mum to check she had received the letter, he looked sheepish while everyone laughed again, so I suggested he come back round (through the door this time) in order to complete his detention and we'd forget about it this time. So he did, and stayed for half an hour, which also gave me the opportunity to talk to him about the sort of support he'd like me to provide for his writing in class. There were about five boys who pushed their way out of the door ... I followed them up later with extra homework, and tried to call home, but couldn't get through to any of them. I've written up so I can discuss it with their Head of Year tomorrow ... I will keep on at them until I can crack them! (That's the plan, anyway!)
Also observed another lesson, my second this week. It's really hard giving feedback, especially when it's on the borderline between two "judgements". Lots of good things happening in the lesson, but could there have been more? At least it's done now. I should have two more observations tomorrow, but I think one of the teachers may still be off. Then I'll just have a couple left ... and someone should really observe me. But I'm keeping that quiet for now ... ! (I hate being observed!)
Must go now ... I have to plan my Year 11 lesson, a Year 10 cover lesson (for when I'm observing another teacher), and I need to read some documents and write a report for a meeting I can't go to tomorrow, and do some reading in preparation for the meeting I am going to go to tomorrow ... Must also get the salmon on the grill, and peel the potatoes!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Observations - what's the point?
Was on a course tonight, where we thought about observations. Very interesting, actually. Ofsted want to know what the learners are learning, and how we know that they are learning, and how we know what they are learning.
New teaching idea for me ... read out a piece of writing, from which pupils have to memorise then write down five key words. In pairs, therefore with up to ten words, pupils then try to write down what was read to them as accurately as possible. They can then compare their ideas to the original. Practice for note taking, summarising, prioritising, listening and recounting. I think. Must try this out, maybe next week ... Jumbled sentences are still the teaching tip of the week though!
New teaching idea for me ... read out a piece of writing, from which pupils have to memorise then write down five key words. In pairs, therefore with up to ten words, pupils then try to write down what was read to them as accurately as possible. They can then compare their ideas to the original. Practice for note taking, summarising, prioritising, listening and recounting. I think. Must try this out, maybe next week ... Jumbled sentences are still the teaching tip of the week though!
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