From birminghammail.co.uk
Science and PE teacher Grant Jones reveals the secrets he uses to keep his pupils on their toes whilst also preparing his two-year-old son for the day!
A Birmingham teacher has shared his diary of life in lockdown.
Science and PE teacher Grant Jones is married to a teacher and has a toddler so life is all about keeping kids busy both online, in school, outdoors where it's safe and within his own home.
Mr Jones, who is Head of Year 10 at Arena Academy in Great Barr, which is part of the CORE Education Trust, has revealed his daily routine, including the secrets he uses to keep his pupils on their toes!
"It is challenging teaching remotely, however I am extremely proud of how hard the students are working and the support colleagues and parents are providing to one another," he said.
Typical day for Mr Jones
8:30am – After my wife and I - also a teacher - carry out our usual routine of preparing our two-year-old son for the day, my typical working day begins with a staff briefing led by our headteacher and his senior leadership team. During these meetings he will provide all staff with key updates and we also share good practice from previous lessons.
For instance, teachers are discovering new ways to engage our students through quizzes and surveys that can be accessed immediately during lessons and ways to set these up are happily shared.
8:45am – All staff are attached to a form group and during this time we deliver topical lessons, PSHE, welfare checks and register the students into their school day. It is also a good opportunity to organise the students ahead of their online lessons.
9:00am – As a PE teacher I believe in the importance of physical and mental wellbeing during these sedentary times. Therefore, the PE team are carrying out our own ‘live with Joe’ style workout sessions each morning for students and families to get involved in.
On Wednesdays - We carry out a ‘Wednesday Workout Watch’ where the live sessions will take place from a secret location in Birmingham and students are invited to guess where we are.
Rewards are provided for students who engage and we currently have between 300-400 views per day, which is fantastic!
We are aiming to do a session from outside the Villa ground soon. In addition to this, some of our year 7 pupils are also now taking part in an initiative with Les Mills – Born to Move, and are training to create their own digital workouts – a really great way to engage young people, and particularly girls, in lifelong fitness.
9:20am - Live Lessons begin. Depending on my timetable, I’ll start teaching. We offer five hours of live lessons a day, which are all recorded to give greater access to students struggling with technology and for students to look over when needing clarity.
Throughout the day - As a Head of Year, throughout the day I will ensure that the students’ welfare within my year group is supported. In between my lessons, I will carefully track attendance and call home for those who fail to log on. I will then offer support, whether it be technical or emotional, with the help of our student support team. Some parents and carers need support in accessing remote education or in motivating their children and we are giving as much help and guidance as possible.
2.45pm and into the evening - When the students’ laptops close at 2:45pm, I will continue to support them, and we receive many more emails and direct messages from students and parents late into the evening that generally need a quick response.
Once a week - In addition to this, all staff are working on site at least once a week to support children of critical workers and students that are vulnerable. We also have support staff who are working on site to test all students and staff for Covid, which is essential for keeping our school open and safe.
Despite this, we are happy to help and our headteacher is always considering ways to promote a positive lockdown education and encourage positive mental wellbeing.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-teachers-diary-life-lockdown-19720452
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