Tour of the TLCs - TLC1 - 2015

The aim of the first TLC was to introduce the topic to the staff.

High expectations of Pupils

Staff began by reviewing the areas that they felt needed high expectations:

Staff suggested:

+ "kit in PE"

+ "In every area of the lesson"

+ "Being independent"

+ "Behaviour"

+ "of themselves"

+ "Respect"

+ "Homework as staff are not there to support"

The following issues were raised:

+ "Not being too demanding"

+ "Looking at the issues in the students background"

+ "Do we have different expectations of different students?"

Developing Understanding

Staff began by discussing what 'Devolping understanding' actually means:

Staff raised the following points:

+ "Is there a difference between being able to do something and understanding it? Is just remembering something enough?"

+ "Developing the journey of understanding is important. Spoon feeding can undermine this."

+ "Understanding means that it has stuck in the students mind."

Staff then moved on from this looking at the different ways they could develop understanding without using teacher talk.

Growth Mindset

Staff began this session by answering questions to determine their own mindset. This then prompted discussion amongst staff about how they could develop a growth mindset in their own students:

+ "Making it easier for students to feel that they can make mistakes."

+ "Getting the level of teacher guidance right. So students can discover it for themselves and have not just being told."

+ "Promoting the 3Rs culture."

+ "Using DIRT"

Staff then looked at what Carol Dweck feels is essential to create a growth mindset environment within a classroom.

Collaborative Learning

Staff began by looking at Baiboard and how the app can be used to develop collaborative learning.

Staff then developed this starter and looked at the following:

+ "Using QR codes to research in groups and then use a student as an ambassador to teach others in the class."

+ "Differentaiting the outcomes but ask students to look for a certain aspect from the text and then collaborate to complete all the outcomes."

+ "Using an expert witness."

+ "Using Baiboard to collate the groups ideas and facilitate the groups ideas."

Independent Student Learning

Staff began by thinking about how they already use 'flipped learning' and how this could be developed other the coming weeks. 

Staff then used the three step method to help them to plan their next 'flipped' activity. The aim of the session was to allow staff to personalise their approach to best suit the needs of their students and their teaching.

Reflections

Again the atmosphere in the TLCs was excellent. As I visited the TLCs it was clear how animated and passionate staff are about these issues. There was a lot of sharing and staff were really open to learning from others in their TLC groups.

All the TLCs were exceptionally well led and the individual TLC blogs will be well worth a read.