Emma has landed........

Here is Emmas new blog everyone

:o)

Primary Curriculum – my view

My view on a primary curriculum is that one must exist in some form to enable all children to get the best start in what will be a long period of their life. As for what this curriculum should consist of and with what force it should be dealt is where I believe the debate should be.

If starting with Maslow's model of hierarchy (as we did 12 months ago) there is no doubt that a child's immediate surroundings up until starting in formal schooling, should go toward providing much of the specified needs. One could say that a person could go through the Maslow model many times in their life but the first time could possibly be the most important as this is the child's first attempt at becoming and creating themselves. The more areas of life and society that a child can include in achieving the levels of Maslow's model would only add to the experience. There are many areas of the hierarchy that schooling can enhance in primary years and with a well devised curriculum this could ensure that all children are offered and experience the opportunity.

The angle of Primary Curriculum that I would believe to be ideal is one that incorporates the tools a child needs to create and learn about themself, gain independence, understand others and be able to achieve their full potential within their years or further (should that be a natural progression for the child).

From Early Years the structure of the EYFS is to promote these points within a wider concept including the environment, relationships and the child and this concept needs to be carried through and elaborated to conform to the children's ages. As discussed last week, the ability for a child to learn about the core subjects of maths, English and science within other subject domains does exist and should be encouraged however in saying all of this I do also believe that these core subjects should not be lost, just possibly taught in a less transmissive way. I would actually lean on the social constructivist side......but as we are meant to be objective just forget I said that!!!!! English does not just consist of learning to read and write but also learning to listen, understand content, predict outcomes and maths is not just learning numbers and times tables but visualisation, problem solving, economics and these are just a few of the extensions.

Whilst watching a Saturday morning talk show, one of the guests commented that in todays society we are too cynical, we have lost the art of storytelling and do not allow ourselves to have or explore our imaginations. To be honest this was actually a song writer and I do understand what the point was. Truth and fact are important to learn but so is nurturing the creative, expressive and imaginative side of our thoughts. Imagination can lead to many places and I admit, may sometimes require channelling by adults but should never be stifled as it is a great teacher.

In essence my idea of a primary curriculum would include core subjects at their basics but elaborated to allow natural thought as said above to also include art, nature, society, culture, thought, play, music, dance to name a few. These should be taught by curriculum but not one that is regimented to day and time, if children are learning numerical skills whilst dancing or through music does that change the fact that they are doing maths ? I think not but again – opinion only.

The Cambridge Primary Review includes in it's proposals the need for the three core subjects to be dispensed with and an 8 domain framework created which includes literacy, oracy and numeracy that is taught not just at the centre but also across the curriculum. There is also the understanding that teaching time would be differentially allocated but that all subjects should be taught to the highest standard possible. This is hopefully relative to the idea that I have put across.

If I reflect on my primary education I do not really remember all of what we learnt or how we learnt it but I don't remember ever not wanting to go to school. The school was part of the community, the parents were involved in some way and I enjoyed the journey. That is how I feel school should be, a journey.

I am writing this from notes and piecing together a couple of drafts that I have started so hope this makes sense (I am known for waffling a bit!!!!) Sorry for the lack of theorists, journals, legislation etc Brian but this is already over 750 words!!!!!

Any opinions greatly welcome......actually it would be nice.

Night peeps x

ict - literature review

A lit review done by becta on 'the role of education and technology in overcoming disadvantage and disaffection in young people'

and here is another one - done in 2003, again by becta

not read them all through but may help with how to go about Ihar's assignment.

x

So asks Ihar....should we use jargon?? That's the Q (get it?)......

Right, so should we use jargon proffessionally? Just going through my blogger dashboard I have read CLAIRE's response and I must say I agree with how she has put it. That is - jargon vs terminology.

When used for the right audience and in the right context professional jargon or terminology in my opinion, is fully acceptable as the target audience should be fully aware, after one briefing, of what the terminology represents. Where the terminology is used as a representation of a complex heading this aids to avoid needless repetition which could detract from the point in question or simplify explanation. To avoid the terminology extending to jargon, the terminology needs to be stated in full at the outset to ensure the audience has an understanding of the further use of the proffessional jargon.

In essence, there is a time and a place. Do we mind Brian quoting ERA or EYFS? Did we object to Lin talking to us about ICT? No, because we should all know, after explanation, what these mean. Would I start quoting this terminology without explanation to one of my none school friends, no. Most of them wouldn't even pretend to know what I was talking about.......they would more than likely just tell me to stop talking in jargon.......or to shut up !!!!

Go check Claire's page out too.

Night x

Hello yr 2

Am I ready?

Kid for observations - *CHECK* (a fab little 2 year old with nice parents and bundles of character!!!!)

ICT lit review papers - *CHECK* (hope I have understood what we need otherwise that will turn into and *UNCHECK* on Thurs!!!)

Brians connundrum.........that will be half a check. Sort of got ideas about diff points along the six degrees but don't know how to relate them completely. I think too much so am probably making it more complicated than it actually is so need to tone down the thinking, i think !!!!! Does the fact both links have an 'S' in them count as a link?? only joking Brian !!!!!

Pencil case stocked - *CHECK*

Folder read - *CHECK*

Bag sorted..........nooooooooooo!!!!! haven't got a new bag for school !!!!!!! everyone should have a new bag for school................especially me !!!!!!! (class mates will understand this one!!!!)

Have been practicing getting up at 8am....it hasn't worked....lets just see what Tues brings :o)

The yr 1's seem to be enjoying their first week, lets hope they have as much fun and experience the learning curve like we all did....and still will in yr 2. Still waiting on my invoice for my fees which is slightly worrying - not because I want to spend all of that dosh, but because I hope they have enrolled me correctly.......Brian, Lin, Fiona - you do know I am coming next week don't you!!!!

Back on Tues (maybe) when it all kicks off again.

Happy Days x

New year....new knowledge

So, nearly the start of a new term and I can't believe it has already been a whole year. Suppose this time next year I will be thinking the same but then we will have the anticipation of Warwick to keep us going!!! Good luck to all those heading there this year :o)

I believe we all did pretty well on our exams. I, personally, am over the moon with my results. I felt like I bulldozed my way through my exams and would have been pleased with passes so an overall first did bring a tear or two to my eyes (sorry to those sitting with me at the time). That little bit of paper held lots of emotions.

So we embark on another year with an addition to class, a new teacher and lots more 'stuff' to fill our heads with. Looking forward to seeing everyone again and using my brain once more. I haven't exactly had the past 3 months off as I have to keep normal life going but I am going to have to start getting used to those early mornings again......that bit I am not looking forward to !!!!!!!!! Here's to a good year ahead.........

ooooo the excitement......?

Well only one more day and we will know if and how well we have survived our first exams!!!! Are we excited yet.....or just plain nervous?

I was determined I was gonna sock it.....but best laid plans and all.

For those that don't already know, my exam experience came and went in a flurry. Dog was almost put down on the Sat (but is now lying in her bed, doing suprisingly well!!!!). My grandad was taken into hospital on the Tuesday, expected to be home on the Thursday but he took a turn for a worse on the Sunday. The following Wednesday we received the news that he wouldn't be coming home and he passed away on the next Sunday. This happened to be the week before my first exam..............suddenly all that I had learnt was no longer. My head was empty. Not good.

Within the next 2 weeks, amidst our loss and sadness I helped my Dad sort the funeral, empty my grandads house (did you know the council only give you one week to vacate after a death.......bizarre.....!!), oh and did I mention re-revise and sit 3 exams........with a funeral smack bang in the middle of them. Teachers were understanding but I really wanted to get through them......or in other words I wanted to get them DONE!!!!!! Late night revision sessions (4am!!!!) and possibly my grandparents egging me on from above and they are done...........my grandad would not have been pleased if I had not sat them, believe me!!!!!! When they finished I hit the ground with a very BIG thud and what had happened finally hit me.

And here we are now. Nearly with the fruits of our year long endeavours in our hands. I would have normally hoped quite high but to be honest, I will be happy to have passed. Three of my grandparents were around when I decided to take this road and one of them saw me start it, I am very sad that they won't see me achieve my goal but I know all of them are watching me and pushing me on. I am happy to have it in my heart that they were proud of me for doing this.

The year has gone so fast and some have had their share of obstacles but hopefully we will all be back next year......would be sad to break up a good group of friends :o)

See you all on the 9th ladies.........