Aman Teaches

Secondary Science Teacher 🧬

[Nathan Burns @MrMetacognition]

Controversial post alert...

Teacher retention is of course a huge issue. But how much are we making this worse for ourselves?

In far too many quarters, there is the assumption that evenings and weekends MUST be taken up by school work.

I sometimes wondered if, when asked what their joys and hobbies were in life, some individuals would just reply "I'm a teacher".

Workload in teaching is high, but the assumption that work must fill all corners of our lives, especially for our trainees, is damaging.

Why shouldn't we get off at 4pm to pick up our own kids? Why shouldn't we have a weekend free?

These things are GOOD, and support a healthy work-life balance.

The belief that a 'good' teacher must be all consumed, and that teaching becomes their whole life is worrying, off-putting, and all too prevalent.

[Tom Rogers @RogersHistory]

If teachers added up the overtime they give, the extras they do, the gestures they make into real world salary, then every school in the world would be bankrupt. So when they ask for stuff that in the grand scheme is a droplet, try to say yes cos there is a guaranteed payback coming.

[Tom Rogers @RogersHistory]

Seeing more stories about longer school days knocking around again… The obsession with extending the school day is built on the myth that children are the same humans before lunchtime as they are after.

[Time Capsule Tales @timecaptales]

A thread of how things have changed over time

1. 74-year difference near Svalbard, Norway, from 1928 to 2004

[Adam Boxer @adamboxer1]

It's that time of year again where I start to see people's school improvement plans for next year. If you are looking looking at metacognition, oracy, turn and talk, literacy, trauma informed practice or bits of individual theory from cognitive science, I'm not saying these things are a waste of time, but there's a need to prioritise.

Whatever it is you are spending your summer planning, I'd consider checking the list below first, if all those things are sorted in your school then go for it, but if they aren't I'd suggest they are prioritised.

Calm, orderly, predictable classrooms across the school.

Calling out does not occur.

Teachers are consistently putting students' names at the end of questions.

Teachers have "rules of thumb" for which students they ask questions to and when.

There are always checks for understanding in-between explanation and practice.

Checks for understanding in the majority of subject are delivered using miniwhiteboards.

Miniwhiteboards are used with "hover and show" routines.

Students are in the room and learning (i.e. actually doing something academically meaningful) extremely quickly at the start of lessons.

Departments have long-term memory strategies that map out how teachers give students the retrieval practice they need.

As above, once that stuff is in play, go to town. But if it isn't, it's probably where you should focus.

[Nathan Burns @MrMetacognition]

60+ metacognitive strategies, ready for the classroom, across processing, modelling, questioning, planning, monitoring, evaluation and discussion.

Plenty of ideas. Plenty of application. Plenty of student progress.

Use and share as you wish!

[Tes magazine @tes]

Unpaid overtime is harming teachers' wellbeing and is ‘a key factor in fuelling the severe recruitment and retention crisis’, says @PaulWhiteman6 commenting on a new report
https://t.co/ChUOm4Kv3j

[David@Nautilus @DavidNautilus1]

Boy walks into reception late for school.

Receptionist says ‘late again!’

Enters building. Passing member of staff says ‘are you late again?’

On his way to class, someone else asks him for a minute. ‘Are you ok?’ They say.

Boy confides that he has no bed. 4 children in a 2 bedroom house. Mum has late nights and he gets himself ready.

Good to consider how we may greet some children in a morning.

[L A U R A 🌍 @missgeog92]

One of my top teacher tips is an emergency supply job. This is my third year of doing this in case I forget something/ have a long day!

And always include £5 in there in case there’s a whip around for a staff member or you need to buy lunch!

[Aman Teaches @amanteaches]

@sjsubity @deepkbadesha would be amazing for your class!!

[Sam Subity @sjsubity]

📚📚GIVEAWAY!!📚Hey #teachersoftwitter and #librarians! I'd love to start off your new school year with a magical OwlCrate Jr box containing my book + tons of bookish goodies to share with your students! May I send you one? Just RT/F and tag a friend to enter!! US/CAN/UK

[Aman Teaches @amanteaches]

@joshuaseigal @MrTs_NQTs Thank you!!! Definitely will be using this���

[Aman Teaches @amanteaches]

@MrTs_NQTs got an interview (Monday😶‍🌫️) and I’m not too sure what book I could use for year 4 kids or the activity, anyone got any ideas pleaaaase!!

[Adam Robbins @MrARobbins]

Another behaviour thread: Why tactically ignoring is often a bad idea.

Scenario: A student is committing a minor infraction in the lesson. Rocking on their chair, chewing gum etc..

Teachers are commonly recommended to tactically ignore small infractions like these..1/13

[Aman Teaches @amanteaches]

@masterbitchmk2 @bioteach888 @MrTs_NQTs Ahhh thank you- yes I’ve heard of malmesbury from my SKE tutor so will definitely get those resources and prepare!

[Aman Teaches @amanteaches]

@MrTs_NQTs been accepted for a science pgce with one of the requirements being to sit an AQA biology paper and achieve a 7! A LOT of content any tips/ advice from science teachers? #edutwitter #science any help is appreciated

[Aman Teaches @amanteaches]

@MissL_Roberts @MrTs_NQTs Oh yes, I’ve seen my current school use Seneca so will have a look at that & past papers are definitely a common answer!