Wednesday 16 September 2015

Two weeks in...

It has only been (nearly) two weeks of term but already the marking pile is growing, students are forgetting their homework and getting up at 6:30am is becoming increasingly dark. Back to business as normal. Which is why today I wanted to check if my goals for this academic year have already bee consumed or if I am trying to follow them.

Goal 1: Be prepared to take risks.

I feel pretty good about this goal so far. This week I have used digestive biscuits in my Year 10 lesson (majority of boys) to see how much they understand about coastal erosion. Some of them struggled to use their knowledge and creativity but some students made some brilliant diagrams using the biscuits. Some even thought to say that the blank piece of paper showed 'solution' as the sediment had been dissolved. I am going to use the digestive biscuit idea with my Year 12s as they are currently studying rivers to see how they tackle the task. My Year 12 lessons are also becoming more creative and I am looking forward to setting the 'River landforms Bake Off Challenge' soon!

I have also signed up for a middle leader course which will great to add to any future HOD applications. Last year I wouldn't have been brave enough to put my name forward as I felt like I was too inexperienced at the school.

Goal 2: Try writing more

I have been writing a diary this year and I have been trying to write in at least once a week even if I feel exhausted when I get into bed. This is also my second post in two weeks so that is a success!

Goal 3: Make time for friends, family and travelling

Over the past few weekends I have been to Plymouth to see family and met up with friends at home, making the most of my weekends. I need to get back to planning the California trip and finding out the best place to see the San Andreas fault!

Progress check: Making good progress

Tuesday 1 September 2015

My goals for this academic year

New term, new school year, new married name (which I am hoping will instil fear into the hearts of the new Year 7s) after the most incredible summer holiday spent getting married and travelling to Oman, the Maldives and Ireland (Geography teacher's dream really). I have spent a long time away from the blog as other things have distracted me and felt like it was time to set some goals for the new academic year, as I will be asking my tutees to do later this week.

Mrs Hawke's goals for this academic year:

1. Be prepared to take risks

This year I want to take more risks in planning my lessons by using new activities and giving the students more independence. As my second year at my current school I feel more confident now to try new things and push the boundaries some more. The best Head of Department that I have had (so far) was not afraid to throw things out of the window and start again - I need to use this more as inspiration this year. I also want to take more risks professionally and volunteer for new opportunities. I started last term by volunteering for the RGS TeachMeet on Wednesday 4th November (details found on below website) which is both terrifying and exciting!

http://teachmeet.pbworks.com/w/page/96288315/TMRGS

2. Try writing more

Since my own school days I have loved writing and have always harboured a desire to write my own book. Small things like writing a piece in the university paper and slightly bigger things like having my article published in Teaching Geography have spurred me on. I am aiming to write more on my blog (perhaps every week is a little ambitious but at least twice a half term) and perhaps in my free time will start ideas for that novel!

3. Make time for friends, family and travelling

Things in my life have settled down a lot since the wedding and I have more free time to enjoy! This year I want to make sure that time is made for friends and family (closer and further away) but also plan lots of travelling in the holidays! I currently have a pile of books about road trips in California for next Easter (already picking out the geographer's highlights) and am looking forward to Stockholm in October half term.