Join Tem as she talks about the power of competitions in engaging and motivating our students, and how to seamlessly integrate competitions in lessons making teaching and learning more engaging and enjoyable for teachers and students alike. Don't forget to hit follow!  KEY TAKEAWAYS: Table vs table quizzesTeam based challenges Paired challengesEngaging the disengaged through individualised challenges BEST MOMENTS: “They’re a great way to get our most disruptive students engaged in our...

DESCRIPTION We are all teachers of literacy no matter what subject we teach. In this episode, I talk about the different ways we can help our students improve their literacy errors, and do so in a fun and competitive way. Don't forget to follow and like the show! KEY TAKEAWAYS: Make deliberate literacy errorsJumble up keywordsDeciphering keywords using cluesPeer assessmentAllow students time to correct spelling errors BEST MOMENTS: "I have made literacy errors and got my students to point...

DESCRIPTION: Children's mental health is such an important topic, more so now than ever before. And as teachers, we see it everyday in our classrooms. More and more children in our schools are displaying anxiety when it comes to public speaking. In this episode, I share practical tips and insights to help us boost our students' confidence and reduce their fear when it comes to delivering presentations. KEY TAKEAWAYS In pairs presenting to another pairPresenting in groups of 3 or 4Start with...

DESCRIPTION: There are times in lessons where we may be talking too quickly or too slowly, and students lose track of what we are saying or become disengaged. In this episode, I talk about how we can pace our lessons more effectively to reduce the gaps in learning and potential behaviour disruptions.  KEY TAKEAWAYS: Pause frequently to allow processing timeCatch yourself talking too quickly Vary teaching methodsProvide opportunities for students to check their understandingBe organisedWrite...

DESCRIPTION: The most disruptive students sometimes just need a role or responsibility to help them focus and be motivated in lessons. Students that like attention will act up, so giving them the opportunity to get attention from others, or the class, in a constructive way, will help to improve the classroom environment. In this episode, I talk about the different ways we can engage our disruptive students, so that they feel empowered, and make a positive contribution to our lessons, creating...

DESCRIPTION  High expectations are not only important for strong behaviour management and creating a positive learning environment for our students, but they are also vital in preparing our students for a successful future when they leave us at the end of their school journey. In this episode, I delve into the importance of setting high expectations for our students, and ways to do so, so that it not only benefits us, but also our students as well. Don’t forget to follow the show and leave a...

DESCRIPTION  Struggling to keep your students engaged in lessons? In this episode, I share practical tips and strategies on how to motivate students and keep them focused on their learning. Don't forget to hit follow so you never miss an episode! And leave a review in iTunes letting me know the topic you would like me to cover next. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Make learning relevantGive students choicesProvide opportunities for students to succeedCelebrate student achievementProvide regular feedbackCreate...

DESCRIPTION: That fine line between being a strict teacher and still being liked by your students can be difficult to find. Be too strict, and on one hand you can cause your students to become fearful and anxious, and on the other hand it can lead to your students becoming rebellious. Be too laid back, and you lose control of your classroom. In this episode, Tem talks about how to become that strict teacher that students not only like, but also respect. Would love to hear your views so please...

DESCRIPTION: Every teacher makes mistakes, even the best ones. But there are some mistakes that are easier to make than others, especially for newer teachers. Tune in with Tem to find out what they are and how you can avoid making them. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Follow this podcast! Don’t miss out on free, high quality advice.Not being clear about expectations. Set and refine these throughout the year. Reinforce them every lesson. Being inconsistent with discipline. Be fair with your approach so as to...

DESCRIPTION: Do you have a chatty class? Are you struggling to get your students’ attention and keep them focused? In this episode, I discuss the different strategies when it comes to dealing with a chatty class so that you can create the learning environment you want for your students.  KEY TAKEAWAYS: Have a seating plan and don’t be afraid to change itPraise the students doing the right thing Establish and maintain rules and expectations Make sure they know you are in chargeTrain your...

DESCRIPTION: Dealing with behaviour problems can be difficult. In this episode, I talk about the different ways you can deal with the behaviour problems that do happen in your lessons. Dealing with them quickly, and creating a positive relationship with your students going forward, in order to reduce the likelihood of that behaviour reoccurring.  KEY TAKEAWAYS: Offer a choice Talk to the student privatelyConflict resolutionIf need to contact home, follow this up a few days later with a...

Starting as you mean to go on can help when it comes to preventing disruptive behaviours, and there are different things we as teachers can do to help us avoid behaviours from occurring in the first place. In this episode, I go through the different strategies we can put in place to avoid disruptions and build positive relationships with our students.  KEY TAKEAWAYS: Start the year strongBe fair and consistentUse positive reinforcementVary your teaching styleGet to know your studentsBe...

The first year of teacher training can be tough, but it's also an incredibly rewarding experience. In this episode, I'll share some tips on how to survive and thrive during your first year of teaching training. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Seek supportContacting parentsTake care of yourselfSet realistic expectationsObserve other teachersClassroom management Build positive relationships  BEST MOMENTS: “No question is a silly question" "Look to other people for support and guidance" "Build a network around...

DESCRIPTION: Starting in a new school in September can be hard for ECTs and trainee teachers. In this episode, I discuss the top 10 tips to help you as you embark on the new Academic year. From fostering a positive classroom environment to lesson planning, self-care and building relationships, these tips are a compass to help you navigate the challenges and triumphs of teaching. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Creating a positive classroom environmentCreating a support networkBuilding positive...

Imposter syndrome can affect us at any point in our careers and can be debilitating. In this episode, I discuss strategies that can be used to help you overcome imposter syndrome by reframing negative thoughts, embracing mistakes and accomplishments, and building self-confidence in your teaching ability. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Recognise and acknowledge your feelingsReflect on your achievements and celebrate your successesNormalise mistakesSeek SupportSet realistic goals and expectations for...

Teaching is a hard profession, so any little thing that can make a teacher’s life just that little bit better is worth its weight in gold! In this episode, I talk about the little life hacks that I have used as a teacher to help save me time and help me provide better support for my students in lessons, so that your day to day teaching life can also be made just that little bit easier.  KEY TAKEAWAYS: Number 1 - Mark and give feedback during the lesson - you and your TAs should always be...

Being told by the Executive Head that my lesson wasn’t very good was, at the time, embarrassing and frustrating. We have all had days when our lessons haven't been very good, but to have one during an observation by the most senior person in the school when I had been teaching for 10 years, felt like all my hard work had been undone in seconds. In this episode I talk about my observation and what I did next as a result of the feedback given. Although I was initially annoyed, he was a very...

In this episode, I delve into the heartwarming, yet concerning, practice of dedicated teachers using their hard-earned money to purchase essential resources for their students. Join me as I explore the reasons behind this selfless act of generosity and the impact it has on both teachers and their students. For hours' worth of content on effective strategies to help you build your confidence, develop your skills and thrive in the classroom, just use the link below to join Tem's Teaching...

There are many myths about teaching, so in this episode I am going to talk about the four main myths that people have about our profession. Myth#1: Those who can, do…..those who can’t teach….and those who can’t teach, teach PE! Myth#2: Teachers can’t complain, they have so much time off. Myth#3: Teaching is an easy job. Myth#4: Training days are just an excuse for a day off For hours' worth of content on effective strategies to help you build your confidence, develop your skills and thrive in...

It can be really hard hearing people de-value the teaching profession. In this episode, I talk about a comment I saw on an Instagram thread where Rob Moore, multimillionaire entrepreneur and investor, asked what should be taught in schools and a member of the public made an outrageous comment about what teachers do. I talk about this and other comments about what teachers should be teaching in school. For hours' worth of content on effective strategies to help you build your confidence,...

Observations are the bane of being a teacher. Overtime they get easier, but as teachers, they are our pet hates. In this episode, I talk about what to do so that you can increase your chances of having a successful observation. For hours' worth of content on effective strategies to help you build your confidence, develop your skills and thrive in the classroom, just use the link below to join Tem's Teaching Tips: http://patreon.com/temsteachingtips  ABOUT THE HOST: Tem is an experienced...

Being a parent and a teacher can be exceptionally difficult at times. Trying to fulfil two roles, two jobs and be equally good at both, is exhausting. Something has got to give and unfortunately for me, at one point, it was my family. In this piece of content, I talk about what I experienced and how I improved not only the time I spent with my son, but also the quality of time. For content on effective strategies to help you improve your work-life balance and thrive in the classroom, just use...

As teachers, at some point in our careers, we have taught students with EAL. It can be extremely difficult for us and the student when they join our class and are unable to speak a word of English. In this episode, I talk about the different things I did to support a student who joined my class in year 12 and couldn't speak any English. For content on effective strategies to help you improve your work-life balance and thrive in the classroom, just use the link below to join Tem's Teaching...

After a year teaching as an SEN class teacher, I wanted to share what I now know to support trainee teachers and early career teachers. In this episode I share with you what it was like me for and what I learnt and what I got better at. VALUABLE RESOURCES: https://www.skillsworkshop.org/category/literacy/functional-skills-english/functional-english-reading https://www.math-salamanders.com/ https://marscademy.com/functional-skills-maths-entry-1/ For content on effective strategies to help you...

As trainees and early career teachers it can be difficult to know when to stop. It is too easy for teachers to feel overworked and overwhelmed, and so it is really important to watch out for the signs and implement strategies to prioritise self-care. In this episode, I share the strategies you can use to help you determine when to stop and how to focus on and improve your well-being. For content on effective strategies to help you improve your work-life balance and thrive in the classroom,...