Month: December 2020

We've put together a series of 60 second homework tips - particularly useful for home-schooling or general homework and revision time.

Parents - if you struggle to get a homework routine established you will find some useful ideas here, especially to keep engagement high and avoid pitfalls.

Teachers - you could easily help the parents of your pupils with some of these ideas to keep the homework environment ticking along.

Tip #1 - Routines

Tip #2 - Problems with Writing

Tip #3 - Having the Kit

Tip #4 - Building confidence

Tip #5 - Using Rewards

Tip #6 - Use Scrabble

Recently I worked with an inspiring group of teachers who operate an 'alternative provision', (which to me is a code for 'challenging behaviour').

True, they have small class sizes and tolerance levels we can only dream of having within the typical mainstream classroom.

But what they also have is the ability to quickly offer the chance for their students to make the right choice.

For example: disrupting others
"I need you to get on with your work, or you'll need to move.  It's your choice"

Being loud in a quiet area
"You'll need to keep the noise down or move to the canteen - it's your choice"

There's usually a choice in many situations, but if you struggle with this when it's not negotiable (ie starting work), try something like

"We need to help you start this work, I can either do this with you now or in two minutes"

I hope...

When increasing your toolkit of behaviour strategies in class, consider using 'Take up time'.

Here's how it works:

This techniques allows students not to lose face by avoiding watching and waiting for them to comply with your instruction (which can appear challenging or confrontational).

After giving your instruction, explain how you're going to give the student time to do what you've asked.  Examples include:

“I need you to open your book and start work now.  I’m going to see Stephen who needs some help but I’ll come back in a minute to see if you need any help.”

"By 12.30 I need to see two paragraphs of completed work.  Make a start and I'll come back to see how you're getting on."

Give it a try?

While you're here........

Have a look around our CPD, on demand, distance, and online learning programmes via the shop page and our INSET offer.