After trying this out in the classroom I’ve realised the potential of discussion. This task helped deepen the thinking of even the lowest ability students. For some I used it as the main task for the lesson and they had to write up their discussion of the links between 3 sets of statements whilst for others it was used as a way of stretching them after having completed a card sort. It worked wonders. I recorded the lower ability students discussion and heard conversations I hadn’t expected. Very proud of them.
This summer I did the one thing I always struggle to do, read a book (or two).  Well in fact I’m still reading them but still… You see it’s not that I don’t enjoy reading, I’ve just always found it difficult to just take the time to sit and read. I’m no good at switching off.
I love research and as a result I’m very much a skim reader. I tend not to read fictional books,  if I do it really has to be something that draws me in to keep my attention (suggestions welcomed).
Anyway I decided to purchase two books this summer, the first a fairytale book crossed with a biography of Britain’s forests called Gossip from the Forest by Sara Maitland. A magical read so far. The second a non-fiction very inspiring book entitled Outstanding Teaching: Engaging Learners by Andy Griffith and Mark Burns.Â
The first thing I’ve…
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