Back to School; Back to OTIR!

Hello and welcome back to the Online Teacher in Residence blog!
Well, if the shock of the first week back was the equivalent of plunging into ice-cold water, this week is maybe a chance to take a breath, let the shock subside and look around, gasping, at the term ahead! A quick update from me, then, in terms of:
• plans for the term
• upcoming SBT programmes and events
• some thoughts on CfE and glow

Implementing Curriculum for Excellence

The full implementation of curriculum for excellence with our new S1 classes is on everybody’s mind at the start of this new school year, of course, and there’s been lots of press coverage over the last week or so – often emphasising its more controversial aspects. I read an interesting blog post by Fearghal Kelly at http://fkelly.co.uk/2010/08/the-difference-between-cfe-and-its-implementation on this. He argues that it is the implementation of the curriculum, rather than its guiding principles or the planned experiences and outcomes, which has caused disquiet. This rang true for me in terms of the discussions I was part of at our CfE in-service day on the 17^th: the two biggest complaints I heard were that teachers felt they should have had a clear idea of the final assessments before embarking on the curriculum, and that they felt it was unclear how they might plan for progression within the four broad levels.

That said, it’s an exciting time and I know many teachers are relishing the freedom we have to go out now and shape what CfE might look like for us and our young people. Personally, here are the aspects of CfE I’m most enthusiastic about:

• having the space and time in the curriculum to develop more creative approaches to literature and literacy
• the shift towards formative assessment and the principles of AifL
• the opportunity to make cross-curricular links
• the wider definition of texts (I would say that, though, given last year’s work!)
• the strong place of Scots language

We’ll be trying to use the blog this year to share ideas of how a creative approach to literature and literacy can help support CfE implementation, including ideas for cross-curricular working, and it would be great to hear about what’s going on around Scotland. This year, it feels like sharing innovative ideas and effective practice is going to be more crucial than ever, so get in touch and let’s keep the conversation going!

Writers in Schools

One of the things I’m most looking forward to this term is the chance to participate in Scottish Book Trust’s Writers in School project. This programme partners an emergent writer looking to develop their knowledge and skills for working in schools with an experienced ‘mentor’ writer - and a very lucky teacher! As one of several groups around Scotland benefiting from this opportunity, my third year class at Inveralmond will be joined by Linda Cracknell and Mary Paulson-Ellis for six sessions starting in late September.

Linda and Mary, as well as being brilliant writers, have wonderful ideas for engaging the kids  with creative writing activities. We’ve spoken a bit about developing creative responses to the school and its surroundings as a starting point, using our own memories, observations and experiences as a way to explore the unique relationships each of us have with place. As well as enhancing their skills in working with language, it’s going to be great for the pupils to develop their understanding of how ‘real’ writers go about generating and developing ideas in terms of note-taking, researching, drafting and revising. It sounds like the classes are going to build an atmosphere that really encourages and celebrates creativity, and the fact that pupils will be able to develop their writing over six sessions is great: just the kind of deep learning experience that many of us are hoping CfE will allow more space and time for.   

I’ll say more about our plans nearer the time, and of course I’ll be sharing ideas, resources and experiences here on the blog throughout the programme. Can’t wait!

Linda’s main blog is at: http://lindacracknell.blogspot.com/

You can also read about a brilliant collaboration between Linda and Highland school pupils at http://walkingthroughstars.blogspot.com

Creative Writing CPD

Continuing on the creative writing theme, look out for two really exciting online CPD events with author and illustrator Nick Hesketh. We’ll be using glow meet to open the event to as large an audience as possible, and I’m sure Nick’s ideas will be much enjoyed by teachers and pupils alike. The dates for your diary are 16^th and 30^th Nov.

More SBT Goodness

Registration is now open for the 2010 Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children’s Books, in which children read, review and vote for their favourite book – like these pupils from the Hubbabubba Reading Group in Dundee!

 The shortlisted books in each category will be announced on the 9^th September, and there are a number of ways to get involved – check out the details here. Personally, I’m really keen to get stuck in with a reading group at school and see how the pupils respond to the books in the 12-16 range. For a long time I never really ventured beyond the English department book cupboard in terms of young adult literature, but I’ve been reading a LOT of contemporary YA novels recently and have been really impressed by the range and quality of writing out there. Full class sets of new texts are increasingly hard to come by in the current climate, of course, but even working with a small group of pupils can be a great way to share a love of reading - and to keep up to date with new work!

I’ll be writing more about the RMAs as we go on this term, and we’ll be using glow meet to facilitate discussion and sharing around each of the three age categories – more details to follow. Reading/teaching guides for the shortlisted books, linked to the CfE Experiences and Outcomes, will be available from the launch of the shortlist. Look out, too, for details of the Scots/Gaelic creative writing competition which will run alongside the RMAs. Lucy and I have been busy making up the tasks and resources for the competition, so we can’t wait to see what the pupils come up with!

There have been some spectacular Children’s Authors Live events already this year, and many readers of the blog (and their classes) will have enjoyed being part of a virtual audience for Michael Rosen, Julia Donaldson and Michael Morpurgo. As the new season kicks off, the line up continues to be as stellar as any fantasy football team, with Charlie Higson, Philip Pullman, Jaqueline Wilson and Eoin Colfer all warming up for action.... Teaching resources, preview video and signup details for the Charlie Higson event on 7^th Oct are online now - Sign up here!

I’m particularly excited about watching Philip Pullman, I have to say – he’s one of my favourite authors and I always enjoy reading the His Dark Materials books with pupils. That’s my planner for December the 9^th well and truly filled in!

A Word on Glowlight

There’s no doubt a lot of people see Glow – Scotland’s national schools intranet – as having tremendous potential in terms of supporting Curriculum for Excellence, and I’d consider myself one of them. However, even those who are enthusiastic about the 21st century tools and experiences which glow offers learners have sometimes been frustrated with aspects of the user experience.

 I was really interested to read about ‘glowlight’ this week, then – designed as a “clean, attractive and easy to navigate” alternative landing page for glow, it looks like it’s going to do away with a lot of clutter and offer a more simple and streamlined way in. I really liked it as soon as I saw it – as long as we get to change the wellies pic!

There’s a video introduction to glowlight on the (also newly streamlined) LTS site:

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/usingglowandict/glow/makingglowbetter/glowlight.asp

Glowlight goes live this Saturday, the 28^th August, and I’m looking forward to logging in and trying it out on Monday. If you haven’t been in to glow for a while, it might be a good opportunity to take another look. Remember to check out the Online Teacher in Residence group while you’re in, mind!

All the best for a great start to the new school year, folks. As ever, do feel free to add your thoughts on any of the topics here.

Cheers for now,

Michael