Friday 26 October 2012

Could I write a science textbook?

Disclaimer: It is the end of half term. I am very tired. I have a glass of wine and no glasses....they are in the car and it is far too cold to be going out to get them...

For a few weeks now I have been feeling 'left out of the loop' at school. It has not made me feel good at all but I think I am getting to grips with why this is happening. What I have done with science so far in 3 years is more than the school ever expected and they are leaving me alone to concentrate on other things....I get it.

Obviously, English and Maths are far more important than Science for the SEND students I teach and have been a bit of a problem for a while. If we can send them out into the world literate and numerate this is better than illiterate, innumerate but with a Science GCSE.

Anyway we are having a real drive on literacy, and when I say drive I really really mean it. This is a good thing it really is and I totally support it for reasons which will become clear but also because I appreciate how lucky I am to read and write with ease and confidence, something my younger brother for example was not blessed with. Watching him and my mum struggle day in day out with word cards and spellings and seeing him carted off kicking and screaming to 'reading lessons' are things I will always remember.
I digress.

So...science is not a 'priority' at the moment, fair enough. Then a survey was carried out with the kids. One question concerned which subject they found it hardest to read in. I wonder what came out on top...oh look, Science. SMT had a mini field day, why was this? What was I doing? What was I not doing? (read as 'it's your fault, sort it.)

So I sat there and said to the kids and staff  'well are you surprised? You do know the average science textbook is always above the chronological age of the child using it due to the level of specialist and technical language?'
I sort of shrugged my shoulders I suppose. What was I supposed to do? If the kids arn't reading at their chronological age it is hard enough but below that it is hard to simplify texts enough to make them accessible. I spend a lot of my time as it is stripping scientific concepts back to the bare bones for teaching, keeping it straightforward and to the point but in this new age of exams where the written and reading elements are so important this is not going to work for much longer. I guess I felt despondent, exasperated and tired....what is one teacher with a very hectic timetable meant to do, nothing is going to change this instantly...

I have grand plans for my school science curriculum in the future. Once we have an idea of what Key Stage 3 is going to 'look like' (once Mr Gove et al make up their minds) I will review all of what I have and make it engaging, contextualised and 'user friendly' including the reading, writing and mathematics elements which are held in such high regard, I do a lot of this already, it will just be good to get it down into the schemes properly embedded rather than a 'bolt-on'. It will also allow me to review my choice of Key Stage 4 course and see whether I should 'stick or twist' with the choice.

In the mean time whilst all these thoughts are going through my mind with no one to vent them to (you are probably gathering reader that at my school science seems not to be a priority....) the English teacher and I enter into a discussion about textbooks.
It turns out he had covered some of my lessons in my absence and was 'surprised' by the level of text students are required to read in textbooks and exam papers. Yes, I said, it is a lot, this is what I battle with every day, science is hard for foundation level students, technical language etc. etc. etc.

Then I did something silly. I said 'there isn't really a suitable textbook to be honest....maybe I should write my own!' It was a joke, I wasn't being serious......

The English teacher asked me 'Well why don't you?'

Aside from the practical issues such as that I have a full time job, I don't have the first clue about how to write a book and....oh yes it was a joke...it did get me thinking?

Why is it such a difficult thing to publish a science textbook that works for SEND and foundation level students? Which supports them learning the subject without being 'scary looking' full of text and technical language? Is it not possible to go 'back to basics' and create something that works for them so they can develop a positive attitude towards the subject? Supported by (of course) great teaching from whoever stands in front of them on a day to day basis and the use of practical work.

I think I have some idea what they would want from it...once they stop swearing at me and telling me how much they hate science that is....I mean I have a living (mostly...for some this is questionable), breathing test group if I wanted to try this.....if I had the time. 

Just imagine if I did......

Tuesday 23 October 2012

In response to a blog by The Secret Physicist

 This morning I read a blog post by @SecretPhysicist

It appears we are suffering the same affliction today being 'off work' admittedly for different reasons but off work none the less. The link to the post is below so there is context for the ramble to follow (it'll be quick - Loose Women is on you know!)

http://thesecretphysicist.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/when-im-not-at-school-I-am/

I could not relate more to this post and totally understand the feelings discussed, especially that of guilt. So here goes.

In what world is it right for hard working and concientious (sp) individuals to feel guilty for being ill or looking after their ill child? Why is it that we feel the need as teachers not to 'rest' and 'get better' but to punish ourselves further and potentially making ourselves more ill by feeling guilty.

There is a lot of it around. I read something else last night by someone who will remain nameless, it was sent to me I think because I have asked this person if they are ok and need any help.
I was moved by what I read, this person also is hard working, wants the best for the children they teach and is working extremely hard against what sounds like a backward thinking school and SMT. This person should not be feeling guilty or questioning their own ability to do their job (as I frequently do - I wonder some days whether they are going to spot how awful I am and haul me off, but it never happens) they should be held up as an example to other less hard working teachers to show them - this - this is how it is done, lets celebrate this person's contribution!

Society and schools should be celebrating these hard working people (as its not always teachers) and supporting them if they are ill, physically, mentally or otherwise to feel able to rest and get better without feeling the need to work through their illness. I know I promised not to try and rant and there is an element of relief on my part because I thought it was just me that felt this - turns out its not - who knew?!

Many schools have very supportive systems and staff. I had to be brave enough to sit with the head and say 'no I'm not ok' but also 'this is what I am doing about it' as I have been to the doctor, I have tried to address some of the issues. That said there are things schools can do and I implore you, whatever stage of your career - Talk, to someone at school, to someone you trust.

I also cannot recommend more the support from the Teachers Support Network. If you haven't got anyone at school to talk to, talk to them they really do understand.

Seriously though, we have to try not to feel guilty, if you are a teacher and you are reading this right now it is likely you are off sick. So rest. Chill. Read a book (not a school improvement one or otherwise) and just get better.
I am (reluctantly) doing this until 8pm this evening. Then I will spend 1 hour (and 1 hour only) checking out stuff/lessons for tomorrow as I will be going in (pretty sure I will be well enough) due to an observation. I have not changed it or improved it yesterday or today, I was ill. It will have to do.

Our best is good enough, we have to start believing this more.

Monday 22 October 2012

So here I go.....an adventure into the unknown

About me

I suppose it would be polite to introduce myself at this point, I am a science teacher teaching in a BESD school. This means I teach the children that most mainstream teachers pray are not on their lists every September...before you think it I don't want your sympathy. I love my job and I love the rewards teaching these children brings. It is hard. Of course it is. That is because teaching is hard.

That said I am a big advocate of work - life balance. One of the main things I have gained since working in Special Education is a bit of my life back. I can go to the gym, have a hobby and enjoy one day of my weekend without feeling guilty (sometimes even one and a half!)
I have a wonderful boyfriend who totally understands what I do and deserves my time. He puts up with the idea that the kids can hit and kick sometimes and doesn't let me get too stressed out. We even managed to go to the cinema on a Thursday night (shock horror!) :)

I've been teaching 9 years, 3 of which have been in Special Education. This means I have experience I can use that a lot of my colleagues do not. Handy. This also means the expectations on me in terms of classroom management, assessment and behaviour management are high, but probably not as high as I place upon myself.

I said to myself a while ago that I would try and blog. Emphasis on the word 'try' here. I am still not sure and probably never will be sure that anyone will be interested in what I have to write or that it will hold any value for anyone....but here goes anyway. I'm sure some of my 'Twitter' people will read it to be polite. :)

Why blog?

I guess the same reasons other teachers blog:

A bit of release, to tell the funny stories that make up the school day or week....for example the title of this blog. Yes a student really said this. Yes we all fell about laughing.

A place to post concerns and triumphs, post things that really worked and things that really didn't! A place to ask questions, share resources. I will try and avoid ranting...I think this would be far too easy a trap to fall into.

To develop some of the skills I have been working on whilst completing my Developing Leaders Course run by the Institute of Education in London. It is an awesome course for anyone wanting to be a successful Middle Leader (although I hate that term.)

 Highlight of the Half Term

Well actually there are two:
Being included on the #tweacherstubemap by @Pekabelo - what an honour! Basically, if you are a teacher and you arn't on Twitter.....where have you been?! Ask around, someone at your school will be tweeting. If not, give it a go. I did and haven't looked back. I have made some great twitter colleagues and they are full of help, support and ideas. They have great blogs too! As a scientist #ASEChat is fabulous, I am now a member and going to the ASE Conference in January. Otherwise try #mathchat #ukedchat and...especially successful #SLTChat

Completing my aformentioned Developing Leaders course. Tomorrow night is my Twilight Presentation evening where I am going to present my journey into leadership over the last 6 months. Maybe I'll blog about it next....

Enjoy half term everyone. I intend to as best I can....and seriously, check out Twitter, I will warn you it is addictive!