Blog 4 - Teaching History

Staffing changes have meant that I have started teaching three Y8 History classes on a Wednesday. It is a fabulous opportunity to get to better know nearly 90 students... and it is also fast becoming the best part of my week. Teaching 20th Century 'Democracies and Dictatorship' to bright, funny, quirky and eager Year 8s is a joy. If you are the parent of one of these students, please do tell them.

I did not pick up my classes soon enough to contribute to the tracker (they are split classes and the two excellent teachers I share with have completed the report). The Y8 trackers will be the third year group tracker to go out this school year so far... and each tracker includes the most important feedback on each student. This is the 'attitude to learning' grade. The best is a grade 1 (outstanding) and the worst is grade 4 (inadequate). Simply put the criteria for outstanding describes the learning behaviours that will lead to success in school and in life. 

Here they are,

• Always fully engaged in every lesson
  
• Always strives to develop excellent skills and understanding
  
• Always completes work on time and to a high standard, often exceeding expectations
  
• Always responds constructively to feedback without prompting and seeks additional guidance
  
• Always well prepared with equipment and resources.
  

Good grades are important because the open doors and increase choices at 16 and 18 but developing these learning behaviours are crucial.

I am a huge fan of Carol Dweck and her book 'Growth Mindset'. The central premise is that hard work, effort, the willingness to make and learn from mistakes is more important than any notion of innate talent or intelligence. One of my favourite ideas in the book is 'I can't do it ... YET'. Our attitude to learning grade 1 describes the behaviours linked to this mindset. It would be great if you could discuss your child's attitude to learning grade further with them. What first step could they take towards an outstanding attitude to learning in every subject?