Your balloon suggestion is SUCH a great idea. I’m going to steal that for next year. Brilliant work!
I think your list of suggestions would make an excellent series of posts - maybe a story or case study of an individual where you’ve noticed that’s made the kind of impact we know it can. I’ve thought about doing something similar on my own relationship-building strategies because they’re so powerful and so informative.
Regarding your ethos (sorry, I’ve got so much to say!) - I worked in a lot of different jobs before training to teach at 28, but I always wanted to get to teaching in the end. I think a lot of my ethos of the classroom is influenced by that. Still, you only really see that once you have a classroom.
So glad that the birthday balloons sound like they would work alongside your ethos. I love the idea of making the suggestions more tangible. Sounds like you are bringing so much life experience along to the classroom and absolutely this will have a positive impact on the culture which you cultivate.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and positive feedback, Jack!
This, this and this again! I wholeheartedly agree with your ethos of “I wanted every child to feel like they belonged, that I was creating a safe space for them to learn, to make mistakes and to be unapologetically themselves.” Great article!
Thanks Colin :) It is such a useful exercise to do isn't it? Reflect on what we want for the children in our care, aside from anything else, and audit if this is what we are truly currently offering away from some of the "noise" that can start to take over in education!
Another great post, Laura! The balloon idea is amazing! I've often fund making pupils breakfast upon their arrival is key to a good morning! You're right, unfortunately a lot of pupils arrive hungry and tried to school.
I've also used different items to make a sensory corner in the classroom and allowed children to use it freely. Admittedly this was in a class of 9 SEMH Pupils, so it was much easier to create!
Thank you :) So glad the birthday balloon idea has resonated with you. A simple idea with big impact.
I love the idea of a sensory corner and allowing that self-directed access time. I think this all comes back to giving the children the responsibility to self-regulate (more about this in this week's post). Thinking ahead to purposefully creating and resourcing this area empowers the pupils and shows them that you value their individual needs. It sounds like your classroom is a truly inclusive and child-centred place to be.
Your balloon suggestion is SUCH a great idea. I’m going to steal that for next year. Brilliant work!
I think your list of suggestions would make an excellent series of posts - maybe a story or case study of an individual where you’ve noticed that’s made the kind of impact we know it can. I’ve thought about doing something similar on my own relationship-building strategies because they’re so powerful and so informative.
Regarding your ethos (sorry, I’ve got so much to say!) - I worked in a lot of different jobs before training to teach at 28, but I always wanted to get to teaching in the end. I think a lot of my ethos of the classroom is influenced by that. Still, you only really see that once you have a classroom.
Just lovely work Laura.
So glad that the birthday balloons sound like they would work alongside your ethos. I love the idea of making the suggestions more tangible. Sounds like you are bringing so much life experience along to the classroom and absolutely this will have a positive impact on the culture which you cultivate.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and positive feedback, Jack!
This, this and this again! I wholeheartedly agree with your ethos of “I wanted every child to feel like they belonged, that I was creating a safe space for them to learn, to make mistakes and to be unapologetically themselves.” Great article!
Thanks Colin :) It is such a useful exercise to do isn't it? Reflect on what we want for the children in our care, aside from anything else, and audit if this is what we are truly currently offering away from some of the "noise" that can start to take over in education!
Another great post, Laura! The balloon idea is amazing! I've often fund making pupils breakfast upon their arrival is key to a good morning! You're right, unfortunately a lot of pupils arrive hungry and tried to school.
I've also used different items to make a sensory corner in the classroom and allowed children to use it freely. Admittedly this was in a class of 9 SEMH Pupils, so it was much easier to create!
Thank you :) So glad the birthday balloon idea has resonated with you. A simple idea with big impact.
I love the idea of a sensory corner and allowing that self-directed access time. I think this all comes back to giving the children the responsibility to self-regulate (more about this in this week's post). Thinking ahead to purposefully creating and resourcing this area empowers the pupils and shows them that you value their individual needs. It sounds like your classroom is a truly inclusive and child-centred place to be.
Loved this one Laura! Lots of great ideas
Thank you Jen :)