Innovative ideas from an international consultant on leadership, careers, science and use of the new technologies from around the world. Observed many distant learning lessons during lockdown and shares her learning with educators across the world.
Innovative ideas from an international consultant on leadership, careers, science and use of the new technologies from around the world. Observed many distant learning lessons during lockdown and shares her learning with educators across the world.
A word cloud creative homework. This simple worksheet explains to students (and possibly their teachers) how to make a creative word cloud using text relevant to a lesson or series of lessons.
It can be used as a differentiated activity for a whole range of students. More able can import text from an essay, a SOW, a curriculum document.
Suitable for all curricula e.g. UK, USA, IB
This is one of three documents to advise teachers about Citizen science.
NOW WITH ADDED STUDENT SHEET. This resource focuses on physics with two others featuring chemistry and biology. There is also a bundle containing ALL three.
Citizen science in an increasingly important tool in classes where science is being taught. It means that students better understand the importance of science and the scientific process through an active involvement with the science community. Different projects can be used for EACH year group.
The resource contains advice for teachers about using, reporting and publishing information about participation in Citizen Science projects. There are also web links to a range of projects.
Suitable for students of all ages and across all curricula.
This is one of three documents to advise teachers about Citizen science. NOW WITH ADDED STUDENT SHEET
This focuses on biology with two others featuring chemistry and physics. Citizen science in an increasingly important tool in classes where science is being taught. It means that students better understand the importance of science and the scientific process through an active involvement with the science community.
The resource contains advice for teachers about using, reporting and publishing information about participation in Citizen Science projects. There are also web links to a range of projects. Different projects can be used for EACH year group.
Suitable for students of all ages and across all curricula.
This is one of three documents to advise teachers about Citizen science. NOW WITH ADDED STUDENT SHEET
This focuses on physics with two others featuring chemistry and biology. Citizen science in an increasingly important tool in classes where science is being taught. It means that students better understand the importance of science and the scientific process through an active involvement with the science community.
It contains advice for teachers about using, reporting and publishing information about participation in Citizen Science projects. There are also web links to a range of projects. Different projects can be used for EACH year group.
Suitable for students of all ages and across all curricula.
What is post pandemic teaching going to be like when we are back to school? What have your students learned without you? Where have they learned it from? Use this tool to find out. The resource is a knowledge audit. Finding out where students actually learned from during lockdown.
Use this knowledge to help you: plan your catch up curriculum, reflect on learning in a post pandemic world and update your knowledge about what information sources actually appeal to your students.
Other resources to help
Benefits of distance learning – after lockdown
Catch up after lockdown
SEN modifications for distance learners
Family projects3
Audit student
Audit parents
Audit teachers
Advice for students wishing to gain the highest grades in chemistry exams. This worksheet is one of a series of three, covering physics, chemistry and biology. It is for students aiming for the highest grades in their science examinations. These students may be part of a STEM programme.
The resource is suitable for GCSE science, chemistry, A level chemsitry in the UK, International Baccalaureate (IB) and other international curricula.
The sheet could be given to students at the beginning of their courses in electronic format and students encouraged to try references that interest them. There is a checklist to enable students to keep a note of what has been tried and how effective it is . This information should be regularly shared with others in the group.
The resource is particularly useful as this information is not readily available to students (or their teachers).
This simple worksheet explains to students (and possibly their teachers) how to make a creative word cloud using text relevant to a lesson or series of lessons.
It can be used as a differentiated activity for a whole range of students. More able can import text from an essay, a SOW, a curriculum document.
Suitable for all curricula e.g. UK, USA, IB
Word clouds can be used for displays, section dividers in folders. Images can be simple clouds or a whole range of shapes which are seasonal, topical or just attractive.
This simple worksheet explains to students (and possibly their teachers) how to make a creative word cloud using text relevant to a lesson or series of lessons. In this case - careers. Subject teachers need to advise students about possible careers in their subject. There is a list of physics careers available here
It can be used as a differentiated activity for a whole range of students. More able can import text from an essay, a SOW, a curriculum document.
Suitable for all curricula e.g. UK, USA, IB
This worksheet is one of a series of three, covering physics, chemistry and biology. It is for students aiming for the highest grades in their science examinations. These students may be part of a STEM programme.
The resource is suitable for GCSE science, physics, A level physics in the UK, International Baccalaureate (IB) and other international curricula.
The sheet could be given to students at the beginning of their courses in electronic format and students encouraged to try references that interest them. There is a checklist to enable students to keep a note of what has been tried and how effective it is . This information should be regularly shared with others in the group.
The resource is particularly useful as this information is not readily available to students (or their teachers).
This simple worksheet explains to students (and possibly their teachers) how to make a creative word cloud using text relevant to a topic, lesson or series of lessons.
It can be used as a differentiated activity for a whole range of students. More able can import text from an essay, a SOW, a curriculum document.
Suitable for all curricula e.g. UK, USA, IB
Word clouds can be used for displays, section dividers in folders. Images can be simple clouds or a whole range of shapes which are seasonal, topical or just attractive.
Differentiation tool with teachers’ guide. This resource aims to encourage independent research skills. Ideal for learning during the lockdown or catching up when schools return! This is one of a series of three blank templates, for Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6.
Year 6 - the differentiated template mark scheme that helps pupils and their teachers focus of what is required for a research task. The basic document shows that the teacher expects: a title page; fifteen fun facts in their own words, (teachers can train pupils NOT to copy and paste); three website or books used to be listed; ten questions to be designed; a date for completion.
Plus advice for pupils with additional needs and cross curricular ideas.
This a one of many differentiation tools available to teachers. Research topics can be done at home, in class, with books, in libraries, in rooms with computers or tablets. Research could be published in a school newsletter, the school website or blog with appropriate permissions.
Differentiation tool with teachers’ guide. This resource aims to encourage independent research skills. Ideal for learning during the lockdown or catching up when schools return! This is one of a series of three blank templates, for Y4, Y5 and Y6.
Year 5- the template is a differentiated marking scheme that helps pupils and their teachers focus of what is required for a research task. The basic document shows that the teacher expects: a title page; ten fun facts in their own words, (teachers can train pupils NOT to copy and paste); three or more books used to be listed; five questions to be made up; a date for completion.
Plus advice for pupils with additional needs and cross curricular ideas.
This a one of many differentiation tools available to teachers. Research topics can be done at home, in class, with books, in libraries, in rooms with computers or tablets. Research could be published in a school newsletter, the school website or blog with appropriate permissions.
Differentiation tool with teachers’ guide. This resource aims to encourage independent research skills. Ideal for learning during the lockdown or catching up when schools return! One of a series three blank templates, one each for Year 4.
**Year 4 **- the template is a marking scheme that helps pupils and their teachers focus of what is required for a research task. The basic document shows that the teacher expects: a title page; five fun facts in their own words, (teachers can train pupils NOT to copy and paste); two books used to be listed; three questions to be made up; a date for completion. Topics can be chosen by pupils to fit in with their interests and could be used to provide independent learning experiences. In addition to writing points, pupils could take digital photos, record their information, draw pictures or use pictures from a google image search. ‘Pictures save a 1000 words!
Plus advice for pupils with additional needs and cross curricular ideas.
This a one of many differentiation tools available to teachers. Research topics can be done at home, in class, with books, in libraries, in rooms with computers or tablets. Research could be published in a school newsletter, the school website with appropriate permissions.
During lockdown families benefited from engaging in family projects. Once back at school teachers can encourage them to continue. This resource provides a list of ideas across a range of subjects and age groups that teachers can use to do this. Topics include art and crafts, drama, music and science. Build on the increased awareness that parents have of their children’s learning.
Other useful resources:
Advice to parents
Enrich your curriculum during uncertain times. As part of a global experience as we return to school, open your classroom door. Can’t plan for trips at the moment but virtual visits offer all sorts of possibilities. Use the resource to find place to visit. Build these trips into your curriculum. In the future you can use them to do pre-visit preparations. A number of the places listed have teacher resources available. Suitable for students of all ages and schools across the world.
IRP- magnetism - differentiation tool - recently improved. This is one of a family of 14 resources aimed to encourage independent research skills for more able students. Recently improved in response to a review. There is a blank template and example topics including: ac generation, batteries, electromagnetism, graphene, industrial processes, magnetism, metals, nanotechnology, newest elements ( atomic numbers over 100), polymers, rocks, solar energy, wind generation. Also a two page teacher’s guidance (basic, intermediate and advanced) for using it as a differentiation tool plus a page of resources (basic, intermediate and advanced).
This a one of many differentiation tools available to teachers. Research topics can be done in class, with books, in libraries, in rooms with computers or tablets. These topics would make an ideal cover lesson.
Research could be published in a school newsletter, the school website or blog or in student publication magazines and blogs.
Duration: This depends on the age and ability of the students. For youngest students it could be for a week’s homework. As students get older the tasks could be set for half a term, even a whole term, could be linked with a science fair, STEM activity, open evening, assembly or business or commerce event,
Preparing to return to your school buildings? Ready to address and solve Post pandemic problems? This document is designed to help senior leaders devise strategies for helping students catch up and consolidate their learning. There are three strategies listed:
Independent Research Projects
Cross curricular projects
Collaborative learning projects
By setting simple research project teachers can help students to learn a lot about a subject very rapidly. Independent research opportunities are one of the best chances students can be given to deepen and widen their knowledge. Students who have been given opportunities to study topics of particular interest to them have on occasions gone on to do a doctorate in those areas!
Knowledge does not exist in little compartments and nor does learning. Cross curricular learning is important for students enabling them construct their understanding of the world. As we seek ways to help students catch up, CROSS-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES HELP TIME CONSTRAINTS – MORE CONTENT CAN BE COVERED.
Collaborative learning is a much under-used technique in schools. . By talking and writing at the same time students can cross-fertilise ideas and produce much better material than any single student could do. When consolidating learning these experiences will provide opportunities to fill the gap in learning. If students are asked to produce a paragraph on a particular topic, then each student may have accessed different information during their home studies. By putting together three different collections of information, the students are able to share knowledge.
• Why not use the checklist to see which strategies your school is using to help students catch up and consolidate their learning?
• Ask different stake-holders to complete the document and compare their scores.
• Complete the audit when school re-opens, then at the beginning of the next two terms. What does the result tell you?
NOW WITH ADDED TEACHERS’ GUIDE! Idea for Catch up after lockdown .
This is ONE of a family of 14 resources aimed to encourage independent research skills for more able students. There is a blank template and example topics including: a.c. generation batteries, electromagnetism, graphene, industrial processes, magnetism, metals, nanotechnology, newest elements ( atomic numbers over 100) manufacture of polymers, rocks, solar energy, wind generation.
This is one of many differentiation tools available to teachers. Research topics can be done in class, with books, in libraries, in rooms with computers or tablets. These topics would make an ideal cover lesson.
Research could be published in a school newsletter, the school website or blog or in student publication magazines and blogs.
Duration: This depends on the age and ability of the students. For youngest students it could be for a week’s homework. As students get older the tasks could be set for half a term, even a whole term, could be linked with a science fair, STEM activity, open evening, assembly or business or commerce event.
Digital literacy is increasingly important! This resource has two record cards for teachers to track students literacy and digital literacy from starting school to adulthood. This document has many uses and possibilities and can be used in all curriculum.
Can’t use the labs because of lockdown and distance learning? There are lots of interesting and exciting websites that offer science learning experiences – virtual biology labs, animations, videos, simulations. This is part of a series of virtual labs - chemistry, physics, general science.
Involve your students in REAL science through citizen science experiences. Citizen science biology
Citizen science chemistry
Citizen science physics
Citizen science bundle