Team Teaching and a CrossCurricular Approach The CrossCurricular

Team Teaching and a Cross-Curricular Approach The Cross-Curricular Route to Independent Learning The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

“Unpacking” our whole school ethos • Planning • Teaching • Learning The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

Spring 2007 Younger Team Geography and History led theme “TOYS” • Geography, History, DT, Art, Science, English, ICT all planned around theme of “Toys” • PE – puppet dance • English – factual reading and writing, descriptive writing, creative writing, drama • DT – puppet making The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

Spring 2007 Middle Team Science led theme “HEALTHY ME” • English, Science, DT, ICT, Art and Music all planned around theme of ‘Healthy Me’ • DT – designing and making a healthy, balanced sandwich complete with packaging that promotes healthy living • English – poetry and persuasive writing • Music – creating a healthy living jingle • ICT – creating an “Ourselves” database The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

Spring 2007 – Older Team Science led “MYSELF and OTHER ANIMALS” • Science, English, ICT, Art and design, Design Technology, Music all planned around theme “Myself and Other Animals” • DT – Recipe, cooking a balanced meal • English & ICT – instructional texts, flow diagrams, multimedia presentations, playscripts, persuasive texts, film making, autobiography and biography, poetry The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

Shoe horn? The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

Our planning process Four Year Rolling Programme OVERVIEW THE CHILD SUBJECT SPECIFIC TERMLY PLANS (Learning Objectives) (Medium Term Plans) Teaching INPUTS WEEK by WEEK OVERVIEW Children’s activities/learning The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

“A problem shared is a problem halved” or “The sum of the parts is greater than the whole!” Planning load shared Strengths and specialisms are maximized The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

How learning happens…. flexibility Flexible grouping • Vertical year groups • Maths combined year/ability grouping • Mixed gender groups, pair work, friendship groups, children’s choice, teachers’ choice The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

How learning happens… Team teaching 1) Lead teacher supported by other class teacher 2) Teach whole team together • Written outputs where valuable – lots of discussion • The osmosis effect! The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

How learning happens…. flexibility • No requirement for individual lesson plans (unless formal observation) • Reflects trust in our professionalism • Allows room to tackle important issues as and when they arise The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

How learning happens… challenging all children • Open-ended activities chosen to allow all children to work to the best of their ability …and beyond! • SEN children supported by adults and other children • Gifted and talented challenged by nature of the tasks and our high expectations The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

How learning happens…. trust Trust is an important part of our whole school ethos • • • Between children Between us and the children Between all staff Between heads and governors Between school, parents and the wider community The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

How learning happens…risk taking • Colleagues are supportive • Make positive contributions, including criticism or corrections • Example to the children • Children are willing to ask questions • Do not mind admitting that they don’t know something • Willing and able to take risks The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

How learning happens…. creativity and independence Why is creativity so important? Pupils who are encouraged to think creatively and independently become: • More interested in discovering things for themselves • More open to new ideas • Keen to work with others to explore ideas • Willing to work beyond lesson time when pursuing an idea or vision The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007

How learning happens…. creativity and independence As a result, children’s pace of learning, levels of achievement and self-esteem increase. “Creativity prepares children for life; an important aim of the National Curriculum. ” (National Curriculum in Action) The Colleton Primary School Conference 2007