Butterfly42

Image by Linda Hartley I found this image in Linda Hartley's Classroom Displays group on flickr, it's created using taggalaxy a cool little resource to create a globe of tagged images from flickr. For example use the tag 'smile' to create a globe of smiles as a starter for work on feelings and leave it on display while the children produce art work. Any appropriate tag could be used to provide short term electronic displays when the data projector is not being used by adults or children, globes of a focus colour, bridges buildings, light houses.. the options are endless and always relevant. Our early years PGCE students at Leicester University were tasked with working with the children to communicate to parents electronically. Lots did rolling presentations of photos or videos on theme from their placement displayed. The parents apparently loved watching the results. Linda also has a Classroom Display blog with wide ranging contributions. You may want to add so

For some this is a hopeful sign. From ‘the man of the moment’ Sir Jim Rose , already leading the government’s independent Review of the Primary Curriculum , (not to be confused at all with the Cambridge University, independent, wide ranging,’ Primary Review of the condition and future of primary education in England’) and reviewing some key Early Years Foundation Stage Goals as well as recently reviewing and reporting on the teaching of reading we hear: Today I am launching a website, ( improving educational outcomes for children with dyslexia ) which asks teachers, parents, children, young people and others with an interest in dyslexia to let me have their views and experiences, to help me develop recommendations to Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families, on the identification and teaching of children with dyslexia. I am also asking for details of relevant research evidence to be sent to me, to add to the growing body of research evidence

......but it can be fun watching it happen with these quirky on-line clocks Analogy and Clock. Analogy in particular is quite beautiful. Learning about time can be enjoyable and both of these could help children in understanding the passage of time .

Got one in the house at the moment!!!!! So the poem in the previous blog post was very relevant. But the other thing I found in Andy Walker's Literature review in the section on learning and the brain was the following:- “All parents can relate to when their children went through the ‘terrible twos’.Understanding the developmental processes occurring in a typical 2 year olds brain enables you to understand their behaviour. Around two years of age there is a large build up of connections with the brain. This is followed by a massive pruning of connections. This allows the strongest and most efficient connections to function more effectively. The often erratic behaviour at this age reflects the changes that are occurring in the brain.” Some comfort? Well only if every other person in the park understands this too, as you try to tell the child that it's time to stop feeding the ducks and go home !!!!!!!

I came across this poem in a profession online forum. It's from the Appendix of a Sabbatical Report looking at personalised learning by Andy Walker Principal of a college in New Zealand I've put it here not only to share, I think it's worth sharing ( and I'm sure lots of other people will be doing that) but also as a checklist for me, to keep me on track. The Things We Steal From Children By Dr John Edwards If I am always the one to think of where to go next. If where we go is always the decision of the curriculum or my curiosity and not theirs, If motivation is mine, If I always decide on the topic to be studied, the title of the story, the problem to be worked on, If I am always the one who has reviewed their work and decided what they need, How will they ever know how to begin? If I am the one who is always monitoring progress. If I set the pace of all working discussions, If I always look ahead, foresee problems and endeavour to eliminate them, If I swoop in and sa