First day back at school

Well technically it isn't my first day back as I have been volunteering at this school 1 day/week most of last year. But it is my first day back as a student teacher.

Today was a PD/INSET day so it was setting the scene for next year/ going over exam results. I am very impressed how "Fischer" data can be used in schools. It was evident that it had been used to identify c/d borderline students for a mentoring programme to help the borderline students achieve a grade c.

On Monday Year 9 students come in and they have a day to get used to their new schoold but also they get to do a number of tests including Fischer but also one which identifies which type of learning style they prefer. This is then being used to feed into an individual learning plan (ILP). It seems that this school places a huge emphasis on getting the best for an individual. I am very tempted to ask if can also take the learning style preference test, but I strongly suspect that I will be a kineaesthetic learner (I like to touch or do to learn!)

My current assignment is "To what extand does the reality of classroom interaction substatiante the varoius theories of learning?" I have started the reading and have summarized my views on the main theories but am looking forward to observing some lessons so that I can actively comment on the reality of the classroom.

I also have to start thinking about registering and taking my QTS skills tests in literacy, numeracy and ICT. I am not too worried about nummeracy, but I am dreading literacy as I cannot spell (as you can probably tell) and have awful grammer. Apparently though it is the ICT one which most people have difficulty with as it uses adesktop generated by Flash which has no resemblance to windows so no one knows how to use it.....Nice!

I am awaiting a timetable but suspect I will get that tomorrow when I met with my mentor.


Just as a side note: the dogs Tolley and Murphy coped very well and were very pleased to seem me, especially as I have just taken them O for a W (code for WALK in our house).

Morgan is away tonight so am hoping Simon might take me out for a beer to celebrate.