Well that went well

That went well.....apparently maths is all about 'numbers, dividing, shapes, multiplying, compass and circles'.

At least it was at the start of the lesson. Towards the end we all agreed that maths was more about asking the right questions, problem solving and being logical. What worked well was linking the starter to the main part of the lesson. After then had their silent debate I ignored what they wrote until they had done an activity which wasn't related anything they had done (a little game about sitting and standing) and then brought them back to make a point. I will do that more.

Today's homework was to produce a list of mathematical questions about one of Dan's video:

http://vimeo.com/13968850

Let's see what they come up with.

Silent Debate

Wow, I've actually been to a good whole school inset. Here's a good idea I'll be using this term, starting tomorrow with my new year 7s.

A Silent Debate-pose a question (I'll be starting with 'What's maths and what skills do you need?') and rather have a conversation/debate where students can be passively involved in the lesson get them in groups of 3/4/5 and express their ideas on paper-giving everyone a chance to get involved.

I'll wager £20 that not one of them (top set year 7s) will mention measuring.

They'll be doing lots of that with me this year.

New

Right, new year, new head. Lots of plans. Here are the things I want to do.

• Active learning 80% of lessons
• Produce more resources myself
• Complete the NCETM regional project excellently
• Get better Decision 1 results
• Do really well on the masters
• Get the year 9s in a position so 30% get their C. (very low ability)
• High profile Maths quiz
• 4 Golds in UKMT Challenge
  
• Blog everyday
• Get really good on the IAW....REALLY good.

Oh, and must blog everyday.

So are they from Venus

Last lesson of term befroe everyone went home and so I decided to break with tradition and show them a video of something. I decided to show them the brilliant 'Wonders of the Solar System' presented by the person I could have been in another universe, Brian Cox. He's a professor of physics, used to be in a rock band, is married to a model and despite being 41 years old has wonderful hair and teeth. I hate the man.

Anyway, Brain happened to be talking about Venus when he suddenly cut away to a busy street in India.

'Sir....are those people from Venus'.

'No Michael, but could you go to the science department and ask them for a fallopian tube'.

I don't really get this

I haven't been writing much here of the past week and a half as I've been applying for jobs and also going on interviews.

I had the first interview yesterday and it went very well.

"We'd like to offer you the job...I think you'll be very happy here and I'm pleased you'll start in September"

"Well I have another school to speak to first but I'm really pleased about this"

And the after about five minutes they decided to withdraw the offer. I explained I made a commitment to both schools.

They said it showed a lack of commitment.

A lack of commitment to a school I didn't even work for? What?

The arrogance was incredible, they waved the fact they got a decent ofsted inspection in my face and expected me to change my whole professional life for them. What other industry wouldn't even give a candidate 24 hours to decide on a position.

I saw a much better place today.

Great

On a simialr note I find it incredible just how bad some school''s websites are. It's probably the first impression someone would have of a school (ofsted inspectors included) and 50% of them look like they've been made by the stupid children as part of a project.

Powercuts

A brand new building. Less than two months old. No power.

We all went home.