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Continue reading →: Developing metacognitive skills in your classroomEvery teacher wants their pupils to become confident, independent learners, but how do we get children to truly understand how they learn best? That’s where metacognition comes in. Often described as “thinking about thinking,” metacognition helps our learners plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning. It can be introduced at a young age…
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Continue reading →: Creating a Positive Classroom CultureA positive classroom culture is the foundation for effective learning and student growth. By fostering respect and collaboration, teachers can create an environment for student to feel valued, engaged, and motivated. Let’s explore some strategies to build a positive and inclusive learning environment, with a focus on setting intentions as…
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Continue reading →: The Chaotic Countdown To Christmas: A Teacher TaleEvery year, Halloween ends and the festive prep begins. From Christmas Performances, to Carol Services to Crafts and the other end of the spectrum of assessments, marking and report writing, this time of the year is what many teachers call, ‘BUSY’. We’re surrounded by the magic of the season, nurturing…
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Continue reading →: Yours Sincerely, Giraffe: A Teacher’s Book ReviewYours Sincerely, Giraffe is a favourite read aloud that I enjoy sharing with first graders (Year 1-2) (see 100 dresses for another gem). This heartwarming tale captures the imagination of young readers, sharing how friendships can be formed in the unlikeliest of places. This beautifully illustrated book tells the story…
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Continue reading →: How to Teach Editing Skills“Miss, I’ve finished my work!” said the young boy proudly. “Have you checked and edited it?” queried the busy teacher. “How do I do that?” the confused boy replied. This scenario plays out countless times in primary classrooms around the world. In the UK, from Year 2 onwards, we’re expecting…
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Continue reading →: 100 Dresses: A Teacher’s Book ReviewWhen I started teaching in the US in 2020, one of the first read alouds we did in first grade (UK Year 2 equivalent) was 100 Dresses by Eleanor Estes. Every year it’s the first story time book I share with a class as a valuable teaching tool for kindness,…
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Continue reading →: Book List: Year 3 and Year 4Having taught as a supply teacher in a fair amount of year 3 and 4 classes, I’ve come across lots of great class reads. I spent my October half term reading a few books that have been recommended to me via #EduTwitter and feel confident in my book list for…
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Continue reading →: Teaching in One Form Entry Schools: Pros and ConsWhen looking at schools to work at, the size of the school is definitely something to take into consideration. Especially if you are ECT, it is worth weighing the pros and cons of different types of schools to see what fits you and what you’re wanting to get out of…
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Continue reading →: Strategies to Teach VocabularyThrough supply teaching, I noticed lots of teachers focussed on improving and broadening the vocabulary used by their students. The main thing I’ve found is vocabulary development without context is pointless. It’s an ongoing dilemma of expanding their repertoire without their writing becoming too ‘forced’, scripted, or nonsensical. I once…

