Dear Santa, Here's our Christmas Wishlist for Education – Love, Teachers By Sarah Marsh

Dear Santa,

As you know, teachers are a dedicated bunch, working tirelessly to help the nation’s sprogs, sorry, next generation.

Anyway, we think they deserve some extra special festive gifts this year, and to make it easier for you to know exactly what to give them, our community has put together a Christmas wishlist. If you could sort out any of the below, that would be ace:

Pay parity and a pet unicorn

1 I’d like to see pay parity with other professions – specifically doctors and lawyers (perhaps somewhere in between to recognise the fact that we don’t actually have the power of life and death over our students).

2 Give us more time to reflect, organise, self-evaluate, assess and, above all, teach.

3 An exam system that reflects and assesses the skills and capabilities of our wonderful young people – rather than how well they can sit still and remember stuff.

4 A recognition that university, while useful for some, may not be the end-point for all.

5 A pet unicorn for the maths department.

• John Rutter is a headteacher.

• A sprinkle of optimism wouldn’t go amiss

  1 Promote the successes of teachers and students in school more to foster a culture of positivity at a time when so much negativity floats around the corridors.
  2 Increase funding so I can stop spending my own money on pencils and pens.
  3 Adequate time to implement curriculum changes. Wait, it’s too late for that, but one can still dream.
  • Anonymous teacher at a secondary school.

  Put the admin out with the recycling

• Ofsted can be left for the bin men too

  1 Abolish Ofsted and replace it with something that makes a positive difference to schools. Almost everything that causes problems, unnecessary workload, fear and stress in education can be attributed to the deadly hand of Ofsted. Headteachers live in fear of “the call” and pass on all manner of burdens to staff.

  2 Require the minister for education to have actually taught in a state school.

  • Anonymous teacher at a primary school.

  A sack full of trust would be nice, though

  1 Top of my list is greater trust for the teaching profession. Increasingly teachers are less trusted to know what works, but they need to be given the chance to do their jobs. There’s too much glancing over our shoulders rather than focusing on making a difference, which we know we can.

  2 Give us time to make real, embedded change. There is an expectation that we can turn around failing schools on a sixpence. Although superficial change can be imposed quickly, lasting improvements come from cultural change and take time.

  • Peter Tomkins is vice principal at an academy.

  And could you also magic our classroom cupboards clean?

  Classroom cupboards, in my experience, only come in one shape and size – too small, and bursting with clutter that never gets used. Mine is no exception. It’s full of arcane, yet somehow indisposable resources from topics no longer covered in the national curriculum: my class’s books from last year, heaps of crusty watercolour paint tins, half-empty packets of oil pastels and sketching pens. You can also find folders containing ancient worksheets, schemes of work and the SAT results of children who passed through school a decade ago. The trouble with junk and clutter is that despite your best intentions, it simply expands to fit into the space available (how’re your lofts looking, folks?). I’d chuck the lot only I don’t currently have a skip outside my classroom – or the day it would take to sift through everything. This is the present which features on my Christmas list every year, but Santa never gets it for me.

  • Ben Culverhouse is a teacher at a primary school.

  Cool secondment opportunities would also be great

  I’d love to be able to go on secondment and become part of a university staff for a year (partially to top up my knowledge), or work in another English-speaking country’s school.

• As well as some good books on growth mindset

  I would like Santa to bring every teacher a copy of The Marshmallow Test by Walter Mischel. There has been a great deal of confusion surrounding character, resilience, grit and growth mindset. Some of the scepticism is justified, given that many interventions do not appear to be underpinned by a proper understanding.
  This book sets out why we should explicitly teach how to exercise self-control and how this can result in better learning and life outcomes for pupils. Almost as sure as Christmas, exam stress stories are round the corner. Teachers can help young people manage these and other challenges more effectively, but we have to do some learning first.
  • Andrew Foster is a teacher at an independent school.

  Finally, give us a sprinkle of digital confidence

  I want more teachers to let go of the fear of failing, especially when it relates to using technology. If everyone tried a new piece of tech this year, from Kahoots to Google Hangouts, I would be super happy.

http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/dec/22/dear-santa-heres-christmas-wishlist-for-education-love-teachers

Five Fun Christmas Decorations to Make with your Class Taken from the Guardian

Christmas is just around the corner, which means it’s time to reach for the glue sticks and get crafty, encouraging students to make everything from stars to snowballs for the classroom.

We’ve pulled together a nifty guide to easy but effective festive decorations that you can make with students. If you have any other ideas for seasonal craft activities share them with us via Twitter, Facebook or in the comments thread.

To get started you’ll need a set of basic craft items, including:

• PVA glue.
• White A4 card.
• String.
• Scissors.

NB. These craft ideas are for primary school classes.

Snow covered pine cones

You will need:

• Basic craft items (see above).
• Pine cones (available online, or in your local park).
• Small paintbrush.
• Iridescent snowflakes (available online or in most craft shops).

Tie the ends of a piece of string together to make a loop, and then glue it to the top of the cone to hang the ornament. Once the glue has dried, dab more glue over the pine cone using the paintbrush, and roll it in the finely cut iridescent snowflakes.

Top tip: Use coloured glitter or finely cut tinsel if you can’t get hold of the snowflakes.

Ice lolly stick stars

You will need:

• Basic craft items.
• Three ice lolly sticks per star (you can get these at most craft shops).
• Poster paint.
• Buttons.
• Glitter.
• Clothes peg.

Get students to paint their three lolly sticks in their preferred colour. When the paint has dried, glue the middle section of each stick together to make a star shape, using the clothes peg to keep it all in place while the glue dries. Meanwhile, make a loop with the string and glue it to the back of one of the lolly stick ends. Once everything has dried, start decorating with the buttons and glitter.

Top tip: Painting the ice lolly sticks can be messy and time consuming. You can find them ready-painted on Amazon if you prefer.

3D star

You will need:

• Basic craft items.
• Five point star template.
• Festive wrapping paper.

This is a great one for older primary students. First take a piece of A4 card and stick festive wrapping paper over both sides. Then cut out two stars from the card using the template. Make a cut from the tip of one arm of each star to the centre so that the two stars can be slotted together to make a 3D shape. (You may want to wipe some glue over the slots to help secure them in place). Make a small hole in the tip of one of the star points and thread the cotton or string through to create a hanging loop.

Top tip: If you don’t have wrapping paper, you can always use plain card templates and ask the children to decorate.

Snowball lantern

You will need:

• Basic craft items.
• Paper fastener (split pin).
• Flameless candle.

Cut five one-inch wide strips from your card (use the card portrait so your strips are long) and lay them on top of each other. Make a small hole half a centimetre from the end of each strip, and another one in the middle of the strips.

Make a loop with one strip and pop the fastener through both end holes so it holds together. Repeat this with each strip so you build up the snowball shape. Fasten the pin and turn the snowball over so that the fastener becomes the bottom. Then thread a loop of string through the holes that you made in the middle the strips (they should should all line up). Finally, add the flameless candle and pop on your tree.

Top tip: Add some iridescent snowflakes or glitter to the top of the card, or use brown card to make the decoration Christmas pudding themed.

S-shaped tree decoration

You will need:

• Basic craft items.
• Needle and strong thread.
• Festive wrapping paper.
• Small plastic tree decorations (bells work best as they are easier to thread) – three per decoration.

Have your A4 card landscape and cut it into three equal strips (they should be short but wide). This will create three decorations. Decorate both sides of each strip, with the festive paper, glitter etc and let them dry.

Take a strip and turn it into a portrait position. Take some thread (around 12 inches should be enough per strip) and push it through one end of the card approximately one centimetre from the edge, then thread one of the bells through. Curve the card over the bell, creating an “S” shape. Push the thread back through, then add another bell, repeat until your three bells (or decorations of your choice) are attached to the card. Make a loop with the remaining thread and tie off. Then repeat with the remaining two strips of card.

Top tip: Instead of using small decorations, use coloured beads instead.

http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/dec/14/five-fun-christmas-decorations-make-with-class

How Students can Help those in Need this Christmas By Esra Gurkan

Finding money to give to charity is not always easy for students. Most are barely managing to survive on student loans, the disappointing pay packet of a part-time job and as much as they can get from their parents. Time is short too; with endless coursework and the next exam season approaching, it can be hard to find spare hours to give up for those in need.

But even if money is tight this Christmas and you’re feeling snowed under with work, you can still make a difference by giving whatever small amount of time or cash you have left. Here are some worthy causes to consider:

Crisis at Christmas

Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. This Christmas, they are asking for your help to reserve a place for a homeless person for £22.29.

Ian Richards, head of Crisis at Christmas, says: “By reserving a place at Crisis at Christmas you can help us provide a lifeline for homeless people this Christmas, and a chance to take their first steps out of homelessness.”

If you and your housemates, flatmates, hall-mates or any-kind-of-mates each put in a few pounds, you can help towards getting a homeless person a hot meal, warm shower and the chance to have a haircut and health check.

Next time you’re on a night out, drink one less drink and put it towards your Crisis-at-Christmas fund. It will make you feel better on the night and will help those in need.

Hands on London

Hands on London organised its fifth Wrap up London coat collection last month, in which members of the public and businesses donated their old coats to help keep people in need a little warmer this Christmas.

Founded in 2010, it is dedicated to community-based volunteering and aims to motivate and inspire people to spend some free time making positive change in society. If you live in or near London, go to an orientation session and volunteer for them this Christmas.

Food banks

We’ve all heard about the rapid increase in the use of food banks in recent years, with 2014-15 seeing over a million people nationwide using food banks, according to the Trussell Trust. Of those, almost 400,000 were children. It’s no surprise, then, that food banks need your support.

Whether you want to give a one-off gift, donate more regularly, or fundraise, food banks will welcome your contributions. The Trussell Trust works with churches and communities to open nationwide food banks. With over 420 foodbanks already in use, they are hoping that soon every town will have one.

A food box contains three days’ worth of non-perishable goods including UHT milk, tea bags, pasta, tinned meat and tinned fruit. Why not pick up a few of these items to donate next time you’re at the supermarket?

Save the Children

You could even take charity fundraising into your own hands. Naomi Clarke, a third-year student at the University of Cambridge, has written, produced and starred in her own charity single to raise money for Save the Children.

Christmas Is Here has already been watched over 4,000 times on Youtube and is available to buy on iTunes.

“Save the Children are doing amazing work at the moment with their Learn to Read scheme, as well as helping with the refugee crisis, which is why I wanted to support them,” says Clarke.

Christmas jumper day

Everyone loves dressing up and nobody loves it more than students. In what is becoming a festive tradition, After Adoption is asking people to wear their fanciest novelty Christmas jumpers on Friday 18th December and to donate on their website.

After Adoption is a voluntary adoption agency dedicated to helping people affected by adoption. By wearing your most cringe-worthy winter-warmer on Christmas jumper day, you can help towards building bonds between families so that they can enjoy the Christmas period as much as possible.

Host UK

If you’re a UK student with a place to spare or an international student staying in the UK this winter, get in contact with Host UK. They link international students at UK universities with friendly and approved hosts who offer an invitation to their home for a day, weekend, or at Christmas.

Kimberley Brough, deputy chief executive of Host UK, says: “Hundreds of international students studying across the UK have applied to Host in the hope of spending a few days at Christmas in a British home, so that they can learn about British home life and culture.”

UK students can offer theirs and their families’ time and homes to help make international students’ Christmas much more enjoyable. If you have a spare room or place at your dining table, get in touch and provide some Christmas joy to those who want to experience a real British Christmas.

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/dec/08/how-can-students-help-those-in-need-this-christmas

Practice makes Perfect: Why Mock Exams are Great for Students’ Brains By Bradley Busch

Many things happen in the first week of December: Christmas songs get played incessantly in supermarkets and restaurants; you have to turn the thermostat up to 23 degrees; and for many students, mock exams start. It may be a stretch to get students excited about these, but here are five ways they can help students make sure they’re on the path to exam success:

Motivating students to start revision early

Research suggests that 75% of students consider themselves to be procrastinators (pdf), with 50% doing so regularly and to a level that is considered a problem. The author of one of the biggest studies on procrastination, researcher Piers Steel, states that “the further away an event is, the less impact it has on people’s decisions.”

In essence, summer exams feel like a lifetime away for teenagers so some will only really start working hard for them after Easter. By having mock exams halfway through the year, students have the opportunity to focus their attention and effort earlier.

Practising effective revision strategies

Some of the most commonly used techniques to aid revision are actually the least effective, including highlighting or re-reading key passages. One reason for their ineffectiveness is they do not force you to think deeply and critically about the topic, so they often end up being done on auto-pilot.

Mock exams let students practise revision strategies that are proven to be more helpful and discover what works best for them. There are several memory strategies that have been found to be effective. In one of the most comprehensive reviews on memory, researchers found that the following strategies are useful: spacing out revision sessions (so that there is enough time to forget and then re-learn); teaching the material to someone else (this forces you to think about the material in a clear and structured way); and switching between topics every now and then (which helps you build on previous revision sessions).

Another technique is what psychologists call “elaborative interrogation”. This is essentially asking yourself “why”. In a fascinating study on memory, students were divided into three groups and asked to remember sentences such as “the hungry man got in his car” (pdf). The first group just read the sentence. The second group was given an explanation (ie because he wanted to go to a restaurant), and the third group was asked to consider why he might have got in his car. The results? Students who were prompted to ask “why” remembered 72% of the sentences when tested later, compared to only 37% in the other two groups.

Testing yourself is an effective way to improve your knowledge and ability to recall information. In a study on mock exams (pdf), researchers found that students who did a practice test after a period of revision did better on the final exam than those students who didn’t do the mock exam and had just spent the whole time revising.

Instead of seeing an exam as a potentially threatening event or as some sort of judgement on their ability, it would be great if we could help students to see their mock exams as a handy way of improving their knowledge and memory.

Also, if students have a particularly bad mock exam, better to have the shock in the mock, than the final exam. It can act as a call to action that perhaps they need to do more work, change revision strategies and develop skills needed to perform under pressure.

Practising under exam conditions

Pressure can do funny things to students. For some, it can lead to nerves, anxiety, frustration and sloppy mistakes, culminating in a poor performance. For others, pressure allows them to concentrate more, work harder and perform better. It takes time and practice to perform well under pressure. If the final summer exams are the first time students experience these conditions, it is lottery as to how they react.

Mock exams are a great opportunity for students to figure out and practise what works best for them. Techniques to manage exam nerves could include actively slowing down, channelling any nerves into helpful behaviour or listening to some relaxing music beforehand.

Identifying topics that need attention

Doing mocks early enough in the year gives you time before the real thing to target areas that need improvement. Mock exam results can identify how best to spend the coming months for students.

Once these areas are identified, it is then a case of putting in the hours. It is not enough to think about what you need to do better, it is the action and the doing that really makes a difference.

Being comfortable and confident enough to ask someone else for help, be it a teacher, parent or carer, is a big part of having a growth mindset. Mock exams can be used as a way of getting students to feel comfortable receiving feedback, which paves the way for further improvement and learning.

In summary

Mock exams, if framed right, can be incredibly beneficial for students. Helping them to see that is part of the challenge. They can help students to start revising early, to practise effective revision strategies, to improve their knowledge, to familiarise themselves with pressure, and act as a guide moving forward.

http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2015/dec/03/practice-makes-perfect-why-mock-exams-students-brains