: Reminders � Film Posters

We are lucky to have the Show My Homework system. The great thing is that I am able
to message students. And, what do I message? I message them the dates of the mocks
and exams. The system them constantly reminds them of this.

5: Lectures � Select Screenings

We invite a select number of students to lectures aimed at pushing for a Grade 9.
The parents get the invite and then have to sign students up as there is a limited
number of places. We do this across Years 10 and 11. Places are scarce, so be quick
otherwise you will miss out.

6: Surgery - Targeting specific audiences

We don�t really do extra lessons. Instead we have a surgery for a particular aspect
students struggle with. However, we email certain students (well, their parents
really) we feel need to work on that area based on teacher suggestion and mock
results.

I am telling students and parents that students shouldn�t come to a revision

session if they don�t know the key texts. They have had a year and a half learning
the main texts and all too often �laziness� is the problem. A student rocks up to a
revision session hoping to get a bitesized version of the play / novel so they
don�t have to work. We are spelling out to parents that students should be reading
and reading the texts. If they don�t know it, read it and use notes and resources
given.

I think we need a clear message. Students should be responsible for knowing and
retaining the basics.

7: Redoing papers - Personalised marketing

We have posted to parents clean copies of exam papers, if we feel students have not
put enough effort into a mock papers. The parent gets a nice little letter
explaining that we think their child isn�t working hard enough and they need to
work harder or they�ll not get the results they want in summer.

This works really well for us as it signals to parents that there child isn�t
working hard enough.

8: Displays � Publicity
One thing we are going to do this term is put up lines and quotes from a certain
poem in the English classrooms. No labels. No titles. Students are going to have to
work out the poem of the week. Each week a different poem. Not everything needs to
be big and labour intensive.

We all know how important revision is, but conveying that to students is important.
Parents assume students are revising and know how to revise. Students assume that
they know how to revise properly. I think schools should be working hard to stop
assumptions. Facts. Not assumptions. What revision have they done? How have they
revised?

I like the drip-feed principle. Remind students very term and month about revision.
Remind parents regularly about revision and what students can do to revise and,
more importantly, what does revision actually look like.

Revision needs a PR agent, darling. It is all about maximum exposure, darling. Give
it more light, sweetie. Wonderful.

Thanks for reading,

Xris

P.S. Things might be a bit quiet for a bit as I work on my �Pop-up revision
sessions�, �Romeo and Juliet� revision themed flavoured drinks and work with the
school canteen to rebrand the menus around �A Christmas Carol�. I am particularly
pleased with the Cratchit burger, Scrooge semolina and Fezziwig�s triffle.
Posted by Xris32 at 04:51 1 comment:
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Welcome to my blog. It is a 'warts and all' view of my teaching career. Hopefully,
some of my thoughts will inspire you. Or, they will prevent you from making some of
the mistakes I have made in the past.

I am sorry if you see an error.

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For each one I am sorry.
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