World Teachers’ Day

The 5^th October 2020 is World Teachers’ Day. Today celebrates the importance of teachers across the globe and recognises their hard work.

 

What is World Teachers’ Day?

The annual day of teacher recognition first started by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1994. This year’s theme is “Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future.” This is because the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on education systems worldwide. It has added to the responsibilities that teachers face on a daily basis. They have had to adapt to remote learning, support vulnerable students, work in the classroom during the pandemic and ensure students aren’t falling behind in their education.

The importance of teachers

Teachers are an influential role model in many lives. I’m sure every one of us has had a favourite teacher who has positively impacted their learning in some way or another. Whether it’s teaching a challenging concept, sharing their passion for a subject, or simply being there for their students, take today to reflect on the importance of teachers.

How to celebrate

World Teachers’ Day is celebrated this year with a week of virtual events which will finish on the 12^th October. You can celebrate remotely by watching the events online, as well as reminiscing about your favourite teachers!

How do children develop thinking and learning skills?

Children learn through doing and playing, which builds their brain

development.

These connections are called neutral pathways. This is why

it’s important for children to repeat what they learn. This way the neutral

pathways become stronger. So, how do children develop thinking and

learning skills?

Children are constantly learning new skills at their own pace. They go

through different stages of development. Once children learn the basics of

one area, it is easier for them to expand on that area, building upon their

knowledge.

 

How children develop thinking and learning skills:

 

Processing information

There is certainly no one-size-fits-all with learning. This is why it is useful

to teach children in different ways. Some may be auditory learners, who

learn best when there is music playing or background noise. While others

may learn by doing, remembering more through a hands-on approach.

Teaching children that there are different methods of processing

information will help each individual to grasp it in their own way.

 

Thinking skills

Encourage your child to be curious and explore new ways of thinking. Try

to ask them how they reached a certain conclusion by asking “why?”

Similarly, get your child to go beyond “what?” and instead question

“why?” and “how?” This will open up a new discussion and let them

actively think about what they are asking. It is also worth teaching your

child that it is okay to agree and disagree with things. If they don’t

understand or support someone’s statement, let them know that they can

ask more about it. Then they can form their own opinion on the subject

and provide a reason for thinking this way.

 

Problem solving

Thinking critically about information and scenarios children are presented

with will help them come to their own conclusions. This way of thinking

requires a lot of thought and analysis. It will encourage children to think

for themselves and challenge things more.

5 essential life skills to teach your child

In order to help your child constantly learn and grow, it is important to teach them life skills from a young age. There are 5 essential life skills to teach your child that are particularly useful for them to learn.

 

Starting to learn those all important life skills early on will strengthen their mindset and help to become more resilient. Learning executive function skills will benefit your child in education and in their everyday life.  

 

Here are 5 essential life skills to teach your child:

 

Focus and self-control

Learning how to focus will help your child to achieve their goals. Self-control is about teaching your child to stay disciplined. This is particularly useful to practice when revising and completing homework. It will allow your child to complete the task they are set without distraction or procrastinating. 

Perspective taking

Perspective taking is about seeing other people’s viewpoints and understanding how others think and feel. It is an important life skill because it allows your child to see beyond their own thoughts and feelings, helping them to become more openminded. 

Communication

Being and effective communicator is a highly important life skill. It helps the way your child expresses themselves, improves their social skills and benefits academia. Communication will come in handy later in life for interviews, essay writing and public speaking. 

Critical thinking

This skill teaches children to think for logically for themselves. By teaching your child how to think, encourage them to go beyond asking “what? and encourage them to ask “how?” and “why?” It will  open up a new discussion and widen their understanding. 

Taking on new challenges

In order to constantly learn and improve, children should try to push themselves by taking on new challenges. This could be picking up a new hobby, trying a new skill or stepping outside their comfort zone every now and again. As a parent, you can introduce them to new things and let them know what’s out there to try. 

How are GCSEs being evaluated this year?

Students across the country will receive their GCSE results on Thursday 20^th August 2020. Although what makes this year’s results different to previous years is the way they are being graded. So this poses the all-important question, how are GCSEs being evaluated this year?

 

Students are currently awaiting grades from exams they were unable to sit due to the coronavirus. Instead, GCSE exam grades will be assessed based on teacher’s predictions. These predictions are then fairly moderated by the exam board.

 

What happens now?

 

Usually, students will go into school on results day to collect an envelope of their grades. However, because of social distancing, as a general rule they will receive results online. This will be either via an online portal or email. Students are unable to discuss grades with friends and say their farewells to teachers this year, unfortunately.

 

How are the GCSE results assessed?

 

After the decision was made by Ofqual in May to cancel exams, schools were told to ask teachers to assess their students on their previous academic progress. This includes mock exams, assignments and homework.

 

40 per cent of results are expected to be downgraded due to the algorithms predicting students’ grades.

 

What if I’m not happy with my results?

 

Students can ask their school if they have made an error when finalising and submitting their grades. If this has happened, students can appeal to the exam board. They will not be able to individually appeal their results to the exam board, however. If students are unhappy with their results, they may take their GCSE exams between the 2^nd and 23^rd November.

Easy ways to build children’s vocabulary

Helping your child to build their vocabulary is beneficial for a number of reasons. It improves communication, helps with pronunciation and with self-expression. There are many easy ways to build children’s vocabulary in order to help them succeed in school.

 

Encourage using a dictionary and thesaurus

 

Having a dictionary and thesaurus to hand will encourage your child to look up spellings and synonyms whenever they please. If they are stuck on a particular spelling or wish to know a word definition, you can encourage them to check for themselves in the dictionary. If your child wishes to expand their vocabulary or try creative writing, go through a thesaurus together and learn new words.

 

Understanding the types of vocabulary

 

There are four types of vocabulary:

1. Listening

Hearing and understanding different words.

 

2. Speaking

Words we use in our vocabulary when we communicate.

 

3. Reading

Words we recognise and understand when we read.

 

4. Writing

Words we use when we write.

 

Typically, a younger child’s spoken vocabulary is larger than their writing and reading vocabulary. As the child becomes older and can read confidently, their vocabulary grows in all four areas.

 

 

The two main methods of vocabulary development

 

There are two ways children develop their vocabulary:

 

Indirect methods

 

Most vocabulary is developed in this way.

It involves:

• Everyday conversation and speaking to other people to improve fluency with spoken English.
• Reading for pleasure. This improves vocabulary and it helps with putting words into context.
• Watching movies and listening to music. This will expand vocabulary and help with pronunciation.

 

Direct methods

 

This approach involves active learning to improve vocabulary, such as:

• Learning the formal vocabulary curriculum. This is usually taught as part of the school syllabus through learning rules of English.
• Word analysis. This is the breakdown of words to understand how words are formed and how they sound.
• Learning roots, suffixes and prefixes. Word roots help children to understand where words originate from. Suffixes are the end of a word and follow a pattern, for example ‘-ing’ or ‘-ed.’ Prefixes come before the word, like ‘un-’ and ‘dis-‘ to change the word meaning.

 

 

 

 

3 top tips to prevent summer learning loss

The summer holidays allow children to unwind and have fun after a year of learning. This year especially, as many children are having to work from home during a pandemic. Despite this, it is important to keep up to date with learning!

 

Going over the school syllabus with your child every so often will help to prevent summer learning loss. Help them to understand anything they are stuck on, so they can get a head start for the new academic year.

 

Try our 3 top tips to prevent summer learning loss:

 

Make time for reading

 

Putting aside a few hours a week for reading is highly beneficial for your child. It will improve their vocabulary, improve their communication and help with writing skills. Encourage them to write down all the new words they’ve learnt and use it in their vocabulary.

 

Practice papers

 

There are plenty of free practice papers online for every year group. This is an easy way for your child to practice the English, Maths and Science syllabus. You can monitor your child’s progress by giving them regular practice papers to complete and marking it together. Go through the incorrect answers together and help your child to understand where they went wrong.

 

Make learning fun

 

During the summer holidays, the thought of learning might not be the most exciting for your child. But learning can be made fun! There are educational apps and websites to try, you can make up learning games, or watch something educational together. Making learning interactive will involve your child in the learning process and help them to retain information.

How to motivate your child to learn

Learning doesn’t have to just be inside the classroom. Motivating your child to learn at home is just as important. There are many ways for how to motivate your child to learn.

 

Children learn in different ways and there’s no one-size-fits-all with learning. All children need are a can-do attitude and enthusiasm to learn.

 

Try these tips for how to motivate your child to learn:

 

 

Create a learning environment

 

Creating a space where your child can associate with learning will help them to get into the right mindset. It can be any space with a desk and a calm environment. Perhaps keep their textbooks and stationery here too, so the space is always set up to learn. Your child will associate this place with where they go to learn.

 

 

Find their learning style

 

Every child has a different learning preference and style that works best for them. Some have one learning style, while other children have multiple ways that work for them. Helping your child to discover what learning style works for them will help motivate them with learning. There are seven types of learning styles, read about them here.

 

Make learning fun

 

Try playing games with your child to make learning interactive and enjoyable. It combines non-cognitive skills with learning and will encourage your child to learn. There are many types of games you can play with your child depending on the subject. If your child needs to practice spelling, you can play scrabble. For practicing maths, you can play maths bingo with equations to solve on each square.

Preparing your child for secondary school

Preparing your child for secondary school is a new milestone in their lives. They will have newfound independence and more responsibilities.

 

It can be a scary thought for children, as it is a big change in their life. It means new teachers and new friends, different classrooms and subjects.

 

So, as a parent, how can you help your child prepare for this next big step?

 

Preparing your child for secondary school has never been easier with these 3 tips:

 

1. Help them to be independent

 

Your child will need to learn to be more independent and do more for themselves. This can be small things at first, like preparing their own lunch, or packing their bag themselves. If they will be travelling to secondary school alone, take the journey with them. This will help them to become familiar with the route.

 

 

2. Help your child to prepare

 

In order to make their transition to secondary school smooth, ensure your child is fully equipped for when they start. This means making sure they complete any work they have been set. They may also need new textbooks, more stationary and a new uniform.

 

3. Be there to listen

 

Your child may have worries or concerns with starting secondary school. It is a new start, which can seem a little daunting. Be there to listen and talk to them about anything that’s on their mind. Reassure your child that everyone is in the same position and it is an exciting new chapter in their lives.

3 fun writing prompts for children

Introducing children to writing will boost their creativity and English skills. It is also a fun way to pass the time at home!

 

Writing is a skill for life, which is why it’s beneficial for children to practice from a young age. It will come in handy for essay writing, communication and even expression.

 

Encourage creative writing by trying these 3 fun writing prompts for children:

 

Write a letter:

 

Letter writing is a good skill for children to practice. There are many different types: thank you letters, job applications, letters of complaint – everyone will have to write a letter at some point in their lives.

Writing in this format is a transferrable skill, as it is similar to writing emails, which are more common than letter writing.

As a fun exercise, ask your child to write a letter to someone. It could be to a relative, friend, or even their favourite character in a book or film.

Introduce them to the layout of a letter. Address the recipient a the top: Dear…

Then introduce the subject, write in the first few lines what the letter is about.

Remember to sign it off at the end. Show your child the many ways they can sign off a letter: Sincerely, Kind regards, Best wishes…

 

 Write a to-do list:

 

A to-do list is a good way to practice writing, whilst giving your child a responsibility.

Ask them to write a list of things they need to complete for the week. Get them to write it the weekend before, so they have the list for the start of the week.

This will provide your child with a structure for their week, giving them the satisfaction of ticking off a task once it’s complete.

 

Create an occasion card

 

If there’s an occasion coming up, like a birthday, anniversary, wedding, and so on – ask your child to make their own card. They can design the front according to the occasion and personalise the inside.

If there’s no upcoming occasions, your child can make a fictional card for a character they like. They can design the card around that character and personalise it to them specifically.

 

How to make a timetable for schoolwork

The most effective learners have a routine and stick to it. This involves creating a plan and scheduling everything according to it.

 

For children, it is especially important to get into a routine in order to get schoolwork done and improve time management.

 

Creating a timetable is an effective way to keep on top of tasks and schoolwork.

 

Here is how to make a timetable for schoolwork:

 

 

Create a timetable according to your child’s learning style:

 

• Knowing how your child works best will help them to learn more productively.
• For example, visual learners work best by being able to see information. A timetable can be enhanced with images and colours to make it visually appealing. It can be colour coded, the same subjects can be in one colour, for example all maths schoolwork can be blue.
• A physical learner can write out their timetable every week. This will help your child to be aware of what they need to complete.

 

 

Set realistic goals  

 

• If the tasks that are being set are realistic, they will be more achievable. More progress will be made if the workload isn’t overwhelming for your child.
• Start by identifying what needs to be completed. You can do this by going through homework, revision and other tasks, and making a list.

 

Creating a timetable

 

• Choose your child’s preferred timetable layout.

It could be a list:

 

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday:

 

Or a timetable:

 

 

 

• Then delegate different slots per subject or task.
• Choose the amount of time spent per task. The subjects that your child finds more challenging could have a larger time slot than the easier ones.

 

Remember to be realistic with the amount of time your child spends on their work. And set aside time for resting and relaxing, too