Most resources I develop are geared towards GCSE 2016-18 (AQA and Edexcel) curriculum and are practical solutions to classroom teaching. I keep most of these black and white for simple/cost-effective print.
I read each novel/play/poem and break down into manageable parts.
I find this most effective within classrooms where students require chunks of information they can order, in sequence. The 'study-packs' I create can apply to any book/play/poem and provide visual tools for memory recall.
Most resources I develop are geared towards GCSE 2016-18 (AQA and Edexcel) curriculum and are practical solutions to classroom teaching. I keep most of these black and white for simple/cost-effective print.
I read each novel/play/poem and break down into manageable parts.
I find this most effective within classrooms where students require chunks of information they can order, in sequence. The 'study-packs' I create can apply to any book/play/poem and provide visual tools for memory recall.
A tool first used in a training environment working with L2-L3 Teaching Assistants. The 'mountain&' concept is introduced with the whole class working as a team throughout the 12-week course where it is explained that the &';team' progress takes into account the slowest learner to ensure 'nobody is left on the ground'.
As a visual-tool to promote development in class the Learner continually adds to each block of the mountain and gradually observes as their journey unfolds towards their peak.
Resource used in class to allow pupils/students to plan and map their own learning outcomes, with additional acknowledgement of on-going targets and understanding and measuring of effectiveness of classroom teaching practice.
A classroom-based exercise sheet where the Learners approach the Whiteboard/Flipchart/IWB and recall their learning of a particular subject area. An example is provided. This resource can be adapted ‘per learner’, i.e. an individual sheet for each learner present. The main purpose of the resource and exercise is that each Learner takes part in standing at the front of the classroom and takes on the role of Teacher, thus reinforcing their learning in this way and assisting in the Learner taking control of their own direction/learning path.
Resource used within Mixed-Learner settings, particularly at initial Teacher-Learner/Student meeting. The resource contains two direct questions with the Learner then left to respond to these in their own way. The effectiveness of this resource by results from use to date has seen a wide-range/number of Learners completely 'open-up&' and &';identify' with their &'past/former&'; situation prior to moving forward to realise their future/on-going targets.
A document relaying the findings taken from a Year 11 PSHE class as the students were asked to enter open discussion and complete a Reality Timeline in relation to their lives.
The lesson led to the students expressing 'their&' views and painting a picture of what life means to them and how they felt.
The discussion led to a shared view that the channels of &';support' within schools could be made clearer and that PSHE-type lessons &'could&'; focus on the 'real&' picture.
A Today Sheet developed to allow the Teacher to decide the day-to-day Outcomes and classroom focus 'with&' the learner involvement, i.e. the Learners participate in deciding their own Today-plan. The use of this resource was graded a 1 via external inspection and linked/was supported by the Learner ILP.
This is a multi-page PP presentation detailing stages of the life of a writer - spanning 20+ years.
I used this today (June 2016) with top set Year 10 class who are exploring figurative language and devising pieces of their own. The PP generated discussion relating to the realities of being a writer; levels of dedication and stamina required; insight into working with an illustrator; journalism as a career; questions to student relating to them developing their own work.
Inspiring? Perhaps.
Real? Yes.
An insight that can be then linked to any author of work? Most certainly.
Throughout 27 years I have been involved in writing lyrics, poetry, novels, illustrated works.
This resource generated classroom discussion with many of the students responding with their own thoughts and a fantastic level of appreciation for literature in general.
This is Premium Resource Number 100.
A poster intended for those who show the will to learn and develop themselves further. A motivational resource/poster/tool to inspire. Used by Tor Alexander Bruce within classrooms, training environments, business leadership programmes and in parallel with LEAD YOUR LIFE and other tools forming a pack of more than 50 resources.
A resource developed by Teacher and Documentary Filmmaker Tor Alexander Bruce based on an original film created over a period of four years using a £40 mini-DV camera. The resource includes the original documentary cover with some insightful questions linking to what could be an individual, class or a whole year project, as the subject matter of the film is applicable to a wide audience.
Motivational poster for teachers/individuals. Can also be used as a study piece for English with questions based around the Author and general message from the piece.
Keith is a 28-year-old student I worked with throughout a 12-week period. Early on in the Teaching Assistant course he described his knowledge of ‘child-development’ as a subject area, as this applied to a number of ‘transitions’ worked through in his own life and how ‘resilient’ and independent he had become as a result. His ‘story’ was result of him relaying his thoughts on ADHD and the prescribing of drugs to him at Age 7. This document was created with the intention that another child/parent/teacher may benefit from his words.
A sheet developed for learning environments as a means of each learner capturing subject matter that may otherwise not be covered through a typical/scheduled lesson. The Off-Piste Sheet links to the Of(in)ste(a)d Resource for a highly effective and innovative/thoughtful approach to thoroughly involving a learner-focussed approach to teaching.
The original 8,000+ word magazine article (1993) which preceded the 1996 non-fiction book and 2007 American biographical drama survival film written and directed by Sean Penn. The book is a brilliant example of investigative journalism and details the adventure-fuelled and tenacious life of Christopher Johnson McCandless, also known by his self-attributed title: Alexander Supertramp.
This resource breaks down each scene into a manageable table and condenses the action from the play into 39 pages (prints as a double-sided 20-page booklet). Each Act can be printed individually if required.
All of the 29 scenes are broken down.
Includes ‘Character List’ and facts relating to the history behind ‘The Scottish Play’ and The Clan System of Scotland + Details of how student can identify: Soliloquy, Personification, Imagery, Metaphor, Allegory, Foreshadowing, Dramatic Irony.
Also includes information relating to the history of plays and a student revision notes section relating to metacognitive development.
This resource has been developed in class with Year 9's/10's and is proving to be a strong complimentary learning tool, i.e. alongside the play (I use this resource for the first 4-6 lessons and 'then' introduce the actual play). The resource contains spaces all the way through to allow for total student 'interaction', i.e. for their hands-on involvement.
Positive-Thinking and Motivation Poster designed for use within multi-classroom environments.
ANY DOUBT, PLEASE LEAVE THIS OUTSIDE. ANY BELIEF, BRING IT IN.
THIS IS A FACILITY FOR EDUCATION AND POSITIVE CHANGE.
PREPARE TO EXPERIENCE BOTH.
Tor Alexander Bruce
An original poem written in rhyming couplets. Can be used for analysis, breaking down the meaning - Author available for Skype discussion with class on this and other poetry if required by Teacher/Department. Author has written plays, books and a range of poetry.
Your ability to study and participate in English Speaking, Reading and Writing extends beyond the classroom. You can capture using this chart the evidence of how you have continued to develop your skill-level in your own home environment.
Specified use for any classroom environment to capture the level of 'outside of school&' development each student is making. Can be used as part of collaborative process with parents.
The resource document contains a table of terminology and listed explanations of 20 key performance types including: Abstract; Mantle of the Expert; Narration; Still-Image and Thought-Tracking, breaking down the criteria into manageable chunks/with space for student/teacher notes.
Could be used as part of a discussion/team-building exercise or as an addition to a Lesson Plan. Developed working with students studying this subject in 2015.
Designed and developed in classroom settings by Tor Alexander Bruce.
A Student-Teacher 13-page booklet with a wide variety of questions and tasks relating to the text that really test the student ability to recall and interpret key meanings and terminology. This resource works through the book in order of the chapters and could very much be used across a whole term, or as a revision guide for students to take home. Includes: Grammar, Punctuation, Writing Techniques, Lists, Timelines, On-Line Research.
The strength of this tool is that, once completed, it provides the student with a detailed 'visual' map of the entire book, i.e. most useful for GCSE examination 'recall' purposes. It also provides the English Teacher with a 'very' clear understanding of the learner's level of understanding.
Resource can be used as a natural progression tool towards students reading or watching the play and responding to AO4, i.e. typical teenage behaviour; how Stephen's presents Christopher in the play; how characters deal with loneliness; how characters are presented.
This is SUCH an amazing book on so many levels.