Modern Studies & History teacher, also a human being. All views are my own & not those of my school/employer.
For my professional account see
@MissMcMillanR36
I think its important to remember that, sometimes, just turning up and teaching is a big achievement. You don't need to make groundbreaking resources or have the perfect display or be innovative and daring. Sometimes, all you need to do is turn up and be there for the kids.
I understand schools and councils want in-service days to have purpose and what not but I also just want time. TIME. To catch up, to get stuff done. You know, to actually be a teacher? I'm actually worse off after today.
#Scunnered
Minimum time for a Scottish secondary teacher is NOT enough time to get stuff done. This is only my 2nd/3rd year on minimum time & I am done in. Meeting deadlines is stressful, marking assessments takes weeks. I'm running supported study this week & have a parents night so (1)
I'm going to say it: I am incredibly anxious about 11th August as well as the days and weeks to follow. The uncertainty for both staff and pupils is enormous. Will a normal timetable be too much for kids to go back to? Will this year's assessments need adjusted? I'm anxious ๐
I am on strike today because I want to be at my best for the young people I teach. Unmanageable workload prevents me from doing that. If you want high quality education, pay your teachers for the amount of work they actually do, or reduce workload so we can do our jobs properly.
Genuinely, how are people coping in teaching at the moment?
I'm just not. Emotions are all over the place, working stupid hours, quality of my learning & teaching has plummeted (though I'm assured otherwise) and I'm finding it hard to look after myself outside of work.
#Help
WHY HAS GLOW MADE ME CHANGE MY PASSWORD???
Now absolutely everything for work on my phone, my tablet, my home computer & my work computer needs looked at.
And it happened DURING a lesson today. WHY?
Okay folks I need all your prayers/thoughts/best wishes/whatever you prefer for my wee boy Winston. He's very poorly in the hospital and I'm hopeful that some Christmas spirit will help him out ๐๐๐ค
Like many, I am sat planning/preparing for tomorrow and the week ahead.
However, prepping for my N4/N5 Units/N5/Higher class is so utterly time consuming it is unbelievable. Prepping for a Higher class takes a lot of time anyway but a QUAD level class??? I'm so tired๐คฆ๐ฉ
If you use these links and substitute in the subject you want (eg replace the word English with Maths) you can access all of the SQA exam support materials now.
N5 -
Higher -
Advanced Higher -
"it happens because schools want to maximise the attainment data they are judged on - not because it is in the best interest of students"
Excuse me? Absolutely not. I do it so that my pupils don't spend all year working on something then end up with nothing. Also, parental input?
New: The number of students being entered for both N4 and N5 qualifications - a practice known as dual presentation - is set to rise again this year - sparking an intervention from Scotlandโs education secretary,
@JennyGilruth
I remember this day so clearly. I cried with happiness. This was it. I had been rejected from every other PGDE course I had applied to. Now I'm crying because of the stress, workload & anxiety as a result of being a teacher. Now I'm wondering if this was the right decision.
Often new/student teachers struggle with ways to support and challenge students with questioning. I use a lot of these in class and they're really effective. Give them a go ๐
#Scaffolding
#Challenge
I'm losing the rag now. Watching folk meet up with their friends as if it's nothing whereas I haven't seen my two best friends in 8 MONTHS and all my other close friends in about 6. Remember garden visits AYE, indoor visits NAW. And the number of households matters
#StaySafe
I have serious concerns about schools which have started running their new senior classes. Can ALL those pupils access materials? Does this give unfair advantages and disadvantages? Should they teach course content or give work related to course? Is this making the 'gap' worse?
No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no
Words cannot describe the experience
@HolocaustUK
have provided for pupils, teachers, invited guests, press and
@ScotGovFM
today. The children of tomorrow must not grow up with the prejudices of today.
OMG this is my new favourite website! ๐
Thank you so much to whomever it was that created this site that allows you to search through History past papers - it's been so useful ๐๐
#History
#PastPapers
#HappyTeacher
1๐งต I remember when I was applying for PGDE courses, a girl I was at university with made a really hurtful comment about my chances of getting in. At the time I was REALLY angry. She had already secured a place & I wasn't close (yet)...
It's 9.34pm. I've nothing ready for my classes tomorrow. But if I don't look after myself right now, that's gonna be the least of my problems. Self care is important.
Higher pupils had to use their evaluative skills to decide, on a scale of harmful to helpful, how successful different methods had been in trying to gain the vote for women. Some excellent work on show! ๐๐๐๐ง
#britain
#higherhistory
I've had to unfollow/unfriend a substantial amount of people (more than I would like to admit) as, not only are they not following the rules, they are blatantly posting on social media that they're not following the rules.
#annoyed
#notallinthistogether
my lessons plummets. If I don't have time to prep properly then the lesson itself is bad. When I need to find time to get stuff done, it means giving pupils tasks to do so that I can try & get my own work done. It's not supposed to be like this (3)
(1) This week I was fortunate enough to gain back 14(!) periods as senior pupils were off on study leave. This week I've been able to: leave work at a reasonable hour; spend time with my family on a weeknight; cook & bake in the evening; go a walk after work...
(1) I must rant for a minute.
I have been told numerous restrictions that I must follow within the school and within the classroom e.g. no groups, all desks facing forward, pupils must remain seated as much as possible, resources can't be shared etc.
And yet, all across teacher..
I think, on return to the classroom next week, I'm going to ask my pupils questions like 'What hopes do you have for this year?' 'What's one thing you would like me to know?' That way I'm not focusing on their experiences over the summer. Recommend any other suitable questions?
I'm thinking of getting my current Higher and National pupils to write letters/notes to next year's pupils. Has anyone done anything like this before? Any tips or hints?
Can't believe I picked this up for ยฃ3?!?? Excited to read it and start work on revamping my
#AST
Atlantic Slave Trade course ๐๐ป
#history
#OlaudahEquiano
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
Someone has very kindly donated 96 (96!!!!) issues of Purnell's History of the Second World War and I am in love. This is just a selection. A massive thank you to whomever handed them in ๐
#happyhistoryteacher
Had a lovely morning chatting with staff and exploring
@N_T_S
Tenement House where I also picked up a few bargains in the shop. Great wee place to see and also watch my Mum say things like "My mum had that!" and "I just threw that same bottle out last year!" ๐๐
How do people not do work outside of work?
I mean seriously, I'm looking for some advice.
I work evenings and weekends on top of long hours in school and I can't even get on top of stuff.
Just finished the chapter on Russia - wow! Loads to think about and consider. Can't wait to see what the next chapter, on China, has in store ๐๐
#lockdownreading
#booksformodernstudies
This is probably one of the most stressful lessons I do but the kids love it. These have turned out great but I'm so glad I don't need to do them again for another year! ๐คฆโโ๏ธ๐คฃ๐ช
I'm really pushing independent learning this year so the kids take control of their own journey through history. I've got a jotter ready which shows what they should have - handy for absent pupils too - and folders with spares of any handouts for any that are lost/absent.
(6) a time of relaxation, I don't know if I am going to be able to switch off. I have so much to think about. I am feeling so many more emotions about teaching than I ever have before.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. I'm away to adjust a lesson again.
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who sent wishes for Winston. Unfortunately, he had to have surgery and lost his right eye. But, he's home, happy and otherwise healthy so just working on recovery now ๐๐๐๐ค
#bestboy
#bravedog
#piratelifeforme
Quizzed a pupil on eating chewing gum today. Opened their mouth as wide as possible to show it was empty only for the chewing gum to fall from the top of their mouth onto their tongue with a very satisfying splat. Away to the bin thank you! ๐
I've decided I'm going to complete other teachers' tasks as much as I can during my time in the ๐ก Today's task comes from
@MissGibsonArt
&
@ClydeValleyArt
who asked pupils to make colour wheels from household objects. Not bad methinks! ๐๐จ
#mcmillantries
An exciting day for all the soon-to-be probationers who have found out their LA's today! I did mine in North Lanarkshire and teach History & Modern Studies so reply or DM if you've got any queries about any of the aforementioned ๐
#teacherssupportteachers
#probation
#gtcs
#nqt
I am so uninterested in the football.
Not sure why it is encroaching in as part of my job tomorrow? None of this happened for the women's Scotland team, or for other sports where Scotland have been successful.
I'm disappointed in myself. Should've left
@SSTA
& joined
@EISUnion
/
@NASUWT_Scotland
as soon as SSTA deferred strike action. I'm still in solidarity with my colleagues, I didn't vote to accept the offer & I don't think
@scotgov
know just how bad things are for teachers right now
Not to get into it, but, had a horrendous week this week. Felt so down, angry, frustrated etc. Said so to one of our ASNAs. Next day she came in with this and I cried. Little acts of kindness make a big difference โบ๏ธ
#WeGotThis
#BadDaysPass
How can the kids' desks move SO much in the course of one day? ๐คฏ An S2 during period 5 was freaking out because her table had moved so much. Do I keep setting them up again every morning or just go with the flow?
#TeacherProblems
#IMissGroups
It took me all day - literally, no joke - to write an email today. I could not find a clean run of 5-10 minutes to finish it and send it. Sent it at 15:30 after starting it at 9:15 on my period off.
This job is crazy.
@MrMcEnaney
@S_A_Somerville
We have to fill out paperwork to justify why our grades are different from previous 'trends'. Regardless of 20-21 circumstances, we have had new teachers over the last 3 years who have transformed our subject - sometimes results just change. Why do we have to conform to a trend?
Hey hey people from
#dataabz
! I tidied up the lava lamp plot of deprivation in Scottish local authorities that I spoke about the other night, and here it is!
I absolutely love
#flipandfold
essay plans. They're a great way to consolidate learning, work on revision and transform information. Here's one a pupil made today, not yet finished but looking great! ๐๐
Have been so stressed since returning to work after September weekend ๐คฏ but then my N4/5/H class sang happy birthday to me after asking about my weekend and it was rather lovely ๐
#FocusOnTheGood
I've slept in. And here I am scrolling on twitter rather than rushing to get out of bed and make up for lost time. Is it the holidays yet?
#teachertired
I've been steadily gaining weight and losing fitness and confidence over the last 3/4 years.
Conquering Goatfell today in spite of all of that felt really good ๐ฅณ๐ฃ
P.S. Never going up that hill ever again though! ๐
Spent most of my double period with my seniors today going round & chatting, marking work, offering feedback & advice and giving support where needed.
It was brill!
Felt like a system reset after COVID, really missed getting to go round the room like that ๐ฉโ๐ซ๐
#BackToNormal
I fell asleep with my glasses on last night and slept through to nearly 10am today. But yeah, schools and teachers are absolutely fine - nothing to worry about there...
#teachertired
#getmetotheholidays
I've tried to do some little things to help during all this. I've ordered from small businesses, donated to charities, clapped on Thursdays, done shopping for my sister (a nurse), and every Saturday night I put ๐ง biscuits out for the folk collecting the bins.
#StayHomeSaveLives
my time feels even more pressurised than usual. I also have S4/5/6 reports coming up as well. When am I supposed to get those done? From Tuesday period 5 to the end of the week I have 2 periods off. Ridiculous. And, of course, this actually means the quality of my teaching & (2)
@MissT1302
I've found the people who matter don't mind & the people who mind don't matter. Had a few friends who kept pressuring me to drink & others who actively helped me find nice non-alcoholic drinks. My real friends are accomodating & inclusive. You don't need to explain yourself.
1 - I would be interested in doing live lessons, genuinely. But I have a few problems with it.
1) Devices - knowing I have kids who share a device with their whole family or can only work from their phone or don't even have a device at all, live lessons demand a lot.
This week I have arrived at school later than usual, left earlier than usual and been able to come home and do chores, cook a meal, go a walk and relax. I worked whilst at work and switched off when not. Surely this is what working life is MEANT to be like?
#AmIMissingSomething
Of course I want lockdown to end, everyone does. I miss my boyfriend. I miss my friends, my colleagues and my pupils. But I want people to be safe even more. I want people to live even more. We'll get through this, we will. It'll be hard, but we need to stick at it.
I can't fully articulate how I feel about going back to work. Fear, anxiety, dread, angst.
Simply put - I'm terrified.
It's not supposed to be like this.
I am astounded by this. It doesn't take into account the priority - health - nor does it seem to consider the dedication, professionalism and commitment teachers have shown over the last 12 weeks and will do come August. Very disappointing
@SundayTimesScot
The Sunday Times 'manifesto' for Scottish education is absolutely ludicrous. This is what happens when people don't know enough to know why they're wrong, but are quite happy to make demands nonetheless.
Now I've become one of those people who take pictures of their dinner. One thing I'm enjoying is having the time and energy to make myself proper dinners, I rarely manage that during term time ๐ฝ๏ธ (halloumi burger with tomato relish, rocket and sweet potato wedges)
Can't believe I'm saying this 3 days in but workload has hit me like a ton of bricks already. Picking up a subject I haven't taught in a few years is harder than I thought & the levels of differentiation I'm adjusting all my resources to is ๐คฏ
#Help
#Tired
Sunday Night Fear. Here it comes. I've come home early from my boyfriends to make sure I've got everything prepped for tomorrow. Could feel it looming over me earlier.
Hopefully tomorrow is good! ๐ค๐ค
Sometimes, all you need is effective questioning and discussion, a marker pen and a board. My S4 remembered all this in less than a period as part of preparation for an upcoming assessment. ๐
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ Police dogs are the best! He's so cute look at his wee face - *ahem* I mean, the K9 unit is an integral part of Police Scotland and we will be looking at it in due course ๐
#crime
#catl
#police
#policescotland
#k9
TPD Finn is settling in well. We would like to thank
@gardainfo
as they kindly donated him to us ๐พ๐ถ. He's a little topper ๐
#newrecruit
#TPDFinn
Great quote from
@FernRiddell
during
@SATHinfo
#SATH2020
"False idols are the most dangerous gift that history can give us."
Fantastic lecture that has given us history teachers lots to think about! ๐ฉโ๐ซ
Just back from my weekly shop and I had to sit down for a while to calm down. So many people not following the rules! I know it's hard but we need to keep at it. And, if you're not going to follow all the rules, then just follow this simple one ๐
#badlanguage
#sorrynotsorry
Today I am going to do absolutely nothing. And that's okay. There are days when you feel ready to take on the world and cross off everything on the list. Then there are days in pyjamas, on the couch. And that's okay.
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Played the
#UnfairGame
with my S4 today and they came across this question:
Courteney, Jennifer, David, Lisa, Matthew and Matt make up what?
Their answer?
The Bible.
I needed a minute before I asked the next question.