Ideas from a Primary Teacher
I’ve made a few videos on Twitter proposing solutions to the issue of pupils returning to school. From every child wearing a 4m wide circle around them in the playground, to applying plasters for cut knees but catapult, to training pupils remotely how to be teachers before sending them in to teach their peers.
Of course, all the above were satire.
Working at a Hub school in Edinburgh, I can safely assure everyone that even the best behaved class of 8 children fail to social distance. It’s just not possible. They forget, they fall over, they don’t look behind themselves. They rarely wash their hands once they have been to the toilet, regardless of the number of posters, washing hand dance routines and verbal reminders we as teachers give to them.
If social distancing is to remain in place, there is no forseeable way to re-open schools to more than 6/8 pupils per class.
Moreover, what we do in Primary is vastly different to what many adults perceive. Gone are the days of sitting in rows. Kids are up and moving, working in pairs or small groups, sharing ideas, providing feedback in one another’s jotters, using blocks in maths, balls in geography and creating models in STEM. Reopening with social distancing in place greatly curbs the effectiveness of teachers and the opportunities for pupils to learn. They are not used to sitting at their desk for 6 hours a day. Moreover, we don’t want them to be sitting at their desk for lengthy periods of time.
Remote Learning is working for those that have access to reliable devices and adequate WiFi. I have a class of 33 and have 23/24 online daily completing a range of tasks via paper, video and PowerPoint - sharing their incredible learning online. We even managed to choreograph and create a dance music video, without any tears or fall outs (well...none between the pupils at least (sorry parents of that happened!))
The Govt should first look to provide reliable internet devices (no £45 hudls - robust laptops and tablets) to ALL pupils who require them. Despite the large expense, expectations should still be lax - parents are working at home, not all children can work independently. But at least we’re giving them a fighting chance. Moreover, Glasgow rolled out iPads to all pupils (well, they’re halfway through doing so) - other councils should be following suit and Govt should be able to make that happen.
If we are to re-open, then P7 should be a priority. They NEED a meaningful transition. When it doesn’t happen, a couple in every class will really struggle.
Why the contribution is important
Frankly, because it comes from a teacher who is doing everything they can and desperately wants to go back to school and see their class again.
by Mr_Minchin on May 05, 2020 at 04:40PM
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