To ask: Teachers! What are you doing...

[SmileEachDay]

....to support your pupils when they return - or if you have returned, what are your school already doing?

This blog is interesting and has some good ideas parentsandteachers.org.uk/new-beginnings-getting-schools-fully-open-in-the-new-normal/

Oh, thanks. Nobody's thought about it before now.

Cheers.

MitziK eh?

I’m a teacher! I’m interested in what other teachers are doing...why the snark?

Interesting read, thanks OP 🙂

An interesting read.

Thank you OP.

I think it’s going to be a balance between acknowledging how weird life has been - and how tragic in some cases - and providing the structure they need.

Also a balance between filling the gaps and not piling on the pressure.

@SmileEachDay

MitziK eh?

I’m a teacher! I’m interested in what other teachers are doing...why the snark?

Because it's not exactly groundbreaking research. And if saying hello to a class and outlining behaviour expectations before launching into the curriculum is a new idea, I worry for the the students of that teacher.

I ❤️ Tom Bennett.

September usually starts with ‘These are my expectations’ about how to get my attention, lay out their work, equipment, come in, pack away and hand out stuff so that will be normal, but I guess this time I’ll need to remember it’s 6 months and not 6 weeks since they last did it. Some of these kids won’t have handwritten anything in a long, long time.

Bells, formal speech, waiting your turn are all stuff they’ll be out of practice with.

I’m planning some seated dance routines a la Tiktok for my year 7s 😂 as they’ll be stationary for most of the day.

I’m planning much more time to get to know my students and play games.

Because it's not exactly groundbreaking research. And if saying hello to a class and outlining behaviour expectations before launching into the curriculum is a new idea, I worry for the the students of that teacher

I didn’t say it was groundbreaking. I think Tom Bennett’s students (although he doesn’t teach any more I don’t think) will be ok.

I think this year is a it different - it’s good to share ideas. I have no idea why you’re being so hostile Mitz?

Bells, formal speech, waiting your turn are all stuff they’ll be out of practice with

Yep. Many will slide back in seamlessly but some will really struggle I think. It’s going to be important for them to know that we know it’s hard.

Seated tiktok!!! Wow....I don’t think I have the skills 😂

@SmileEachDay

Because it's not exactly groundbreaking research. And if saying hello to a class and outlining behaviour expectations before launching into the curriculum is a new idea, I worry for the the students of that teacher

I didn’t say it was groundbreaking. I think Tom Bennett’s students (although he doesn’t teach any more I don’t think) will be ok.

I think this year is a it different - it’s good to share ideas. I have no idea why you’re being so hostile Mitz?

Well, don't you think it could sound a little patronising?

When you've spent months preparing and thinking about how the children will be and what behaviour/emotions/vulnerabilities you'll have to deal with in addition to the usual post summer ones, somebody going HEY! HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF SAYING HELLO? as though you haven't thought of it before can be somewhat jarring.

MitziK

I didn’t find it patronising.

What are your plans to reintegrate your class/es?

and if saying hello to a class and outlining behaviour expectations before launching into the curriculum is a new idea, I worry for the the students of that teacher.

Were you ever an NQT?

There are NQTs starting with classes in September who missed their second placement and have never started with a class in September let alone in a pandemic. Bennett might be teaching an old hand to suck eggs but the next teacher along might be grateful of a bit of guidance.

We’re all a bit on edge right now.

not a teacher but my 3 kids all had a mini-meltdown today at the thought of going back, really great to know this is being considered by teachers too, really comforting thanks op.

@noblegiraffe

There are NQTs starting with classes in September who missed their second placement and have never started with a class in September let alone in a pandemic. Bennett might be teaching an old hand to suck eggs but the next teacher along might be grateful of a bit of guidance.

We’re all a bit on edge right now.

That’s me 👋 you are very right. I’ve worked in schools as a TA for three years before my PGCE but never did my third placement. I taught over lockdown and that was a blessing. Any help is good help for me right now.

@SmileEachDay

MitziK

I didn’t find it patronising.

What are your plans to reintegrate your class/es?

Essentially that. Giving them some slack, allowing for the fact that it's going to hurt writing for extended periods when they haven't held a pen for months, their classrooms are different, their breaktimes are different, the catering arrangements are different, the routes they'll take in school are different, that public transport is going to be an utter pig for the ones whose parents can't afford a car.

Giving them the acknowledgement that things are different, they've all had different experiences, some sad, but reassuring them that what we are doing is all about keeping them safe and secure and if they are worried about anything, they can talk to their teachers, their tutor, the safeguarding or pastoral staff (telling them the DSL and where they can be found) - normal things, really, just tweaked to allow for the differences in this year above normal ones.

And, at the same time, we still have expectations (so uniform, behaviour, etc), and so on...

stovetop - sorry to hear they are anxious. What do you think they would find helpful when they return?

Year5 Hi! I had you in mind a little when I posted this - that article is a good starting point.

Jesus, well I’m certainly not reading articles which teach your granny how to suck eggs. Maybe you could look to what your colleagues in Scotland are saying? We’ve been back 3 weeks. There was lots of talk about recovery curriculum beforehand. Children have largely wanted to just get on with it so we have. What has changed is expectation of where a child will be at a certain stage as many of them are just not there yet. If a teacher doesn’t see building positive relationships with your class as a vital part of teaching at any time then I really do despair.

MitziK

YES!! The hand hurting thing (my Y10s were practically demanding Xrays when they came back in pre summer they hurt so much 🤣

Definitely good advice re routines.

@SmileEachDay thank you! This was a really helpful read. It’s good for me as someone new to the job to read an article like that which sets it out simply and easily for me to follow. Especially with first day nerves!
I’ll share the link with my PGCE tutor group WhatsApp too.

I work in an infant school.

We have a 'recovery curriculum' for the first few weeks which a huge focus on mental heal and wellbeing, along side key subjects such as reading and phonics. This also builds in establishing new guidelines and new rules, such as SDing if some situations, hand washing routines, the new school day, etc as well as re-establishing our old rules for behaviour and conduct. etc.

We will monitor how this recovery curriculum goes and feedback as a team. If necessary we will continue with this either as a whole, with smaller intervention groups or will reduce it and move towards a normal timetable.

Our SENDCO and Learning Mentor has already been in touch with vulnerable pupils. We have mailed home a feedback form for parents to rate/make comments about their children, how they've coped and o see if there is anything in particular we should know.

Maybe you could look to what your colleagues in Scotland are saying?

Exactly why I asked what people who are already back are doing!

Interesting re not expecting children to be at X stage - was that a school decision or from on high? Sounds really sensible.

Aragog

That sounds great. Is the recovery curriculum in each year group?

@SmileEachDay

MitziK

YES!! The hand hurting thing (my Y10s were practically demanding Xrays when they came back in pre summer they hurt so much 🤣

Definitely good advice re routines.

As I've been in for the last month, it's useful to remember that even adults can find speaking hard going - on my first telephone call, it made sense in my head but utter gibberish came out of my mouth.

After all, I'd seen and spoken to nobody but DP, the cat and saying 'thank you' to delivery drivers for five months. Some kids will have had similarly isolated experiences, so wanting anybody to speak out loud might be unfair, whilst others might not want to stop talking. I think MFL and Drama will be most impacted by that. And some might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of other people around and the noise, whether they have SEN or not.