Staff meeting: why, what and how?
Dec 31, 2015
Staff meeting: why, what and how?
Why focus on speaking and listening?
Language and literacy... what comes first...?
words
understanding
ideas
conceptssounds
telling stories
writing
We know that...
We also know that
Vocabulary and narratives skills are
very strong predictors of later academic success
Language is the vehicle for learning
There ain’t no mystery Scoob...
Speaking and listening are really important skills
Speaking and listening skills support
Focusing on oral language is beneficial for everyone...
And particularly vital for children who struggle...
The impacts of SLCN are wide-ranging.
Educational achievement
Behaviour/vulnerability
Mental health
EmployabilityCriminality Disadvantage Cycle
•Vocabulary at 5 is a powerful predictor of GCSE achievement
•2/3 of 7-14 year olds with serious behaviour problems have language impairment
40% of 7 to 14 year olds referred to child psychiatric services had a language impairment that had never been identified
47% of employers say they can’t recruit staff with the communication skills they need
65% of young people in young offender institutions have communication difficulties
Children from low income families lag behind high income counterparts by sixteen months in vocabulary at school entry
What’s our carrot?
Involvement, enjoyment and fun!
Supporting learning
Narrowing the gap of
disadvantage
Providing a focus for
SLCN
Helping attainment
Supporting behaviour
Supporting literacy
Adding to our own range of teaching skills
Ofsted
The Ofsted carrot...
Reflecting on how high a priority oral language skills are for us...
‘...recent research shows that the average length of a pupil’s contribution to a class discussion is just four words’
(National Literacy Trust, 2011)
What is No Pens Day Wednesday?
• A day when learning takes place without writing• A day to focus all learning through speaking and
listening• A day to see the benefits of speaking and
listening for learning
A national speaking and listening event...
Not today, thank you !
As well as being the bedrocks of reading and writing, the ability to listen attentively,and to speak clearly and fluently are essential life-long skills in their own right.
No Pens Day is a wonderful opportunity to design exciting and worthwhile activities to foster these skills - go for it!
...endorsed by Sir Jim Rose...
The idea of a 'No pens day' is a good one. It is a way of proving just how important speaking and listening are in the act of learning. I've seen it tried in a couple of schools. It raises all sorts of questions
about the sorts of talk that make a difference. Have a go....within no time
pupils will be seeking a pencil to jot down something that someone said that is worth
remembering...
...Professor Mick Waters...
No Pens Day is a wonderful idea and should attract attention! What it offers, with the expert guidance and support of The Communication Trust, are explicit and structured approaches to speaking and listening. These provide rich learning experiences and exciting teaching - and lead to improved self-confidence and standards from the children. Why not give it a try?
...and Professor Andrew Pollard, member of the National Curriculum Review expert group
How to run No Pens Day Wednesday
Preparation The lead member of staff for the day {insert name here} will
be available to support you preparing your lessons for the day
Check out the materials in the activity pack including lesson plans and activity templates
The day will begin with an assembly for pupils run by {insert name}
Discuss potential challenges and solutions – what might you / the pupils find hard?
Consider Entering the competition to win resources for your school Getting the media involved – check out the media pack
Resources
• The activity pack will give you all the information you need to know
• The pack along with additional downloads such as school assemblies, are available to download from www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/schools/no-pens-day-wednesday/no-pens-day-wednesday-materials
Points make prizes
• Pupils to be judges– Which teacher best followed the 10 second rule– The lesson they liked best and why
• Cross departmental / year challenge– Which department produces the best word wall
• Best ways of recording learning– Best ways of recording – podcasts, posters, etc
• Present results / certificates for teachers / students at end of week assembly
Reflections after the day
Sharing learning
For you to think about:
• What worked well?• What was challenging?• What was the impact on pupils
learning?• Did you learn something new
about your teaching skills and pupils learning skills?
• Did you get new insight into particular pupils?
• What aspects would you do again?
For pupils to think about:
• What were the best activities – why?
• What were the best lessons – why?
• Were there times you wanted to write things? When?
• What do you think about learning this way?
• Would you like to do more of these activities?
Next steps we might decide to take
•Choose elements of the day to use again•Try one new activity per half term until it is embedded in teaching and learning•Support colleagues to do the same•Include speaking and listening on staff meeting agendas to maintain momentum