So here goes...

I have decided to set up this blog to allow me to discuss my thoughts and reflect upon my own teaching practice, without talking to myself and seeming completley mad! I plan to evaluate post-lesson and discuss new strategies and techniques that I am trying.

Start with what you already know...

So, I shall begin with visiting my own past experiences of learning. When I think back to my days at school, I can remember my favourite teacher at school was 'Mr Backhouse'.  Mr B' taught English, I never really enjoyed English during school untill I had Mr B' in Year 10. I had a great deal of respect for him, as did I feel respected by him. He clearly had a great passion for the subject and had a lot of energy during our lessons. I remember that during our English literature class, whilst reading the 'Of Mice and Men' Novel, he turned something that was for me a potencially boring task of reading this book, into something exciting, gripping and during the rest of the week I would be looking forward to continuing with the novel.

My least favouite was Maths during Year 8. This session was the same everyweek. Powerpoint - Teacher Talk Through Powerpoint - Students complete pages from textbook. Talking was discouraged and watching paint dry seemed a far more fulfilling experience.

So from this I have always tried to identify 1) What makes the 'Good Teachers' Good? and 2) How can I learn from what made some of the teachers 'Not so Good'?

In my next post I will reflect on my own teaching practices to date.

Tom