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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.

Sometimes you come across behaviour situations in class and around corridors which can be easily fixed with the right words. But so often those words fail you!

We've created several 60 second videos to give you some smart ideas to help managing behaviour in class (and elsewhere!).

Each tip takes just around 60 – 65 seconds to view, but can give back so much teaching and learning time if applied well (and avoid low level disruptions).

Included in this suite of bite-sized behaviour management tips are:

verbal strategies

take up time

hand gestures

time keeping

dual coding (to name a few)

They are completely free.

Click on the picture below to watch Behaviour Hack #1.

To see the rest of the free series click here.

ADHD and children’s parties

I remember when my son was very young (primary school) and he had a lovely circle of energetic pals. He wanted to do everything and be everywhere.  His friends were mostly the same, to a greater or lesser degree, and we spent happy evenings at cubs, swimming, football practice, all the usual!

Being a December-born child, his birthday party had to be an indoor affair.  When he was the ripe old age of 4, I realised that this might be the last time that I could accommodate the rough and tumble of a predominantly boys’ party in my house.  They needed space and it showed – all the children were lively, it’s exciting to be at a party and let off some happiness.

But one of my son’s little friends (we’ll call him Joe) stood out above the others.  He was a little dynamo, far more active and...