Page 4: The Power of the Notebook...
So power. How can there be power within a notebook? Within scribbles of random observation and enquiries? Well this is the key point. It is indeed those random scribbles and general thoughts that are the most effective learning tool which leads to something much bigger.
It is clear how well loved my notebook was and still is. It is a vital component of my resource box that I created throughout my year one placement. (My resource box contained a collection of things I used and was given throughout my time on placement. This ranged from class books to resources to safeguarding procedures.) Filling this notebook with thoughts, observations and ideas was the basis of what my placement experience and teaching was built from.
Following on from page 3 and my first day of placement, before I headed for the *wrong* bus, my class mentor shared one of their most beneficial learning paths whilst training, this was through a notebook. I finally dug out one of the many notebooks stashed under my university bed which I brought when I moved in. As the photo clearly illustrates it is very well loved. My rainbow notebook, so loved the edges begin to fold went everywhere throughout my placement.
When using my notebook, I was certain I did not want to appear distant in the classroom as I wanted to be able to help pupils and be engaged even when I was not teaching the main input. This made me use my notebook in three main ways:
1. General classroom
When generally in the classroom, I had my notebook on the side and my pen around my neck on my lanyard. I decided the best place to keep it in the classroom was on a high shelf that I could access when needed to scribble down relevant notes. Whilst in the classroom and teaching, I did not want to be stuck behind a notebook. I therefore felt the most successful way to use it in this setting was to write my observations quickly at break time, lunchtime or straight after school. The main things I would right out were behaviour management techniques, and class rules/routines.
2. Formal observations
This took up majority of my notebook. Through the first 2 weeks on placement, the university required a large range of observations from a variety of classes throughout the school. Each observation had a detailed sheet to go alongside. The EYFS/ KS1/KS2 proforma, had a range of different elements that should be noted on. In addition to this, some observations had specific themes i.e. behaviour management. Before I would go and observe, I would create a page of bullet points notes to look out for during the observation. This allowed me to flick back and forth whilst observing to make sure everything needed was covered. I believe completing observations this way allowed me to have a more comprehensive reflection. It gave me the ability further my learning as a teacher, drawing from a range of styles and techniques across a vast amount of teachers.
3. Around the school and wider responsibilities
I was very fortunate in my school placement as there were many wider opportunities I could attend and assist on. I found it useful to keep record of these and write a few notes each time about these. Some of these include staff meetings, school trips and after school clubs. These additional experiences helped boost my capabilities as I build on a range of things learnt from different contexts. I loved seeing how children still continue to learn outside the classroom, and the effects of this. I ensured I would note down the way the pupils learnt and thrived off extra experiences they may not experience at home, to enable these techniques in my own teaching. How I decided to record these, greatly depended on the activity. For example during staff meetings, I would write quite comprehensive notes throughout.
Personally, I found this notebook one of the larger learning sources. I like the fact that I can pick this up anytime to read, as well as to add to it creating a personal continual learning resource. I know it can be hard to fit in time to reflect comprehensively whilst trying to juggle lesson planning, resource making and university assignments. I discovered the best way to utilise my time effectively was to make use of my bus journeys. On the way home, I ensure I'd write a few notes everyday reflecting and writing up anything I forget to do in the day.
I cannot recommend the power of the notebook enough. I know for certain this will be the first thing I look through before my placement next year to refresh key ideas, drawing from in the future with my own class as well as the first thing I create and build again in my next school. This can be perfectly be summed up by the quote:
"Write what should not be forgotten" Isabel Allende
- Miss Yeoman
So power. How can there be power within a notebook? Within scribbles of random observation and enquiries? Well this is the key point. It is indeed those random scribbles and general thoughts that are the most effective learning tool which leads to something much bigger.
It is clear how well loved my notebook was and still is. It is a vital component of my resource box that I created throughout my year one placement. (My resource box contained a collection of things I used and was given throughout my time on placement. This ranged from class books to resources to safeguarding procedures.) Filling this notebook with thoughts, observations and ideas was the basis of what my placement experience and teaching was built from.Following on from page 3 and my first day of placement, before I headed for the *wrong* bus, my class mentor shared one of their most beneficial learning paths whilst training, this was through a notebook. I finally dug out one of the many notebooks stashed under my university bed which I brought when I moved in. As the photo clearly illustrates it is very well loved. My rainbow notebook, so loved the edges begin to fold went everywhere throughout my placement.
When using my notebook, I was certain I did not want to appear distant in the classroom as I wanted to be able to help pupils and be engaged even when I was not teaching the main input. This made me use my notebook in three main ways:
1. General classroom
When generally in the classroom, I had my notebook on the side and my pen around my neck on my lanyard. I decided the best place to keep it in the classroom was on a high shelf that I could access when needed to scribble down relevant notes. Whilst in the classroom and teaching, I did not want to be stuck behind a notebook. I therefore felt the most successful way to use it in this setting was to write my observations quickly at break time, lunchtime or straight after school. The main things I would right out were behaviour management techniques, and class rules/routines.
2. Formal observations
This took up majority of my notebook. Through the first 2 weeks on placement, the university required a large range of observations from a variety of classes throughout the school. Each observation had a detailed sheet to go alongside. The EYFS/ KS1/KS2 proforma, had a range of different elements that should be noted on. In addition to this, some observations had specific themes i.e. behaviour management. Before I would go and observe, I would create a page of bullet points notes to look out for during the observation. This allowed me to flick back and forth whilst observing to make sure everything needed was covered. I believe completing observations this way allowed me to have a more comprehensive reflection. It gave me the ability further my learning as a teacher, drawing from a range of styles and techniques across a vast amount of teachers.
3. Around the school and wider responsibilities
I was very fortunate in my school placement as there were many wider opportunities I could attend and assist on. I found it useful to keep record of these and write a few notes each time about these. Some of these include staff meetings, school trips and after school clubs. These additional experiences helped boost my capabilities as I build on a range of things learnt from different contexts. I loved seeing how children still continue to learn outside the classroom, and the effects of this. I ensured I would note down the way the pupils learnt and thrived off extra experiences they may not experience at home, to enable these techniques in my own teaching. How I decided to record these, greatly depended on the activity. For example during staff meetings, I would write quite comprehensive notes throughout.
Personally, I found this notebook one of the larger learning sources. I like the fact that I can pick this up anytime to read, as well as to add to it creating a personal continual learning resource. I know it can be hard to fit in time to reflect comprehensively whilst trying to juggle lesson planning, resource making and university assignments. I discovered the best way to utilise my time effectively was to make use of my bus journeys. On the way home, I ensure I'd write a few notes everyday reflecting and writing up anything I forget to do in the day.
I cannot recommend the power of the notebook enough. I know for certain this will be the first thing I look through before my placement next year to refresh key ideas, drawing from in the future with my own class as well as the first thing I create and build again in my next school. This can be perfectly be summed up by the quote:
"Write what should not be forgotten" Isabel Allende
- Miss Yeoman
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