How do we know children are learning?

Today I was fortunate to participate in the Evaluator Development Program, part of CIS (the Council of International Schools) incredible commitment to the growth and success of education and educators globally. The session today, led by Paul Topping, was a interesting and thought provoking discussing on High Quality Teaching & Learning. The discussion covered some … Continue reading How do we know children are learning?

Maths, Inquiry, Maths Programs and Finding Your Way Forward

Maths and the IB PYP do not always feel like they are comfortable partners. It’s an uncomfortable truth to read and acknowledge, and yet, speak to any number of PYP teachers across the world and you’ll find that finding a way to be student led, inquiry based, and yet confident you are equipping every child … Continue reading Maths, Inquiry, Maths Programs and Finding Your Way Forward

Top 5 Read Alouds to Build Community

This post contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Shared reading experiences are a powerful way to build community. When we share stories we share journeys, emotions and more. As we look to build community in our classrooms, here's our run down of some great read … Continue reading Top 5 Read Alouds to Build Community

Is International Teaching Right for Me?

Recently there has been increased coverage in the media, especially in the UK, of teachers deciding to move overseas to continue their careers in international teaching. Such as this story run by The Guardian; https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/nov/13/why-british-teachers-fleeing-overseas-international-schools A number of factors such as high pressure to perform, under-funding, long hours, and poor workplace culture are combining with … Continue reading Is International Teaching Right for Me?

International Teaching Interview Preparation: Tips and Tricks

Welcome to the third post in our series International Teaching: Everything you need to know, if you haven't yet read posts 1 and 2 you can find them here: Is International Teaching Right For Me? The International Job Search: What to look for and where In this post we’ll be taking a look at the … Continue reading International Teaching Interview Preparation: Tips and Tricks

Thinking Skills: Working towards in IB ATLs

Back in October 2019 Mark and I shared our work to break down the Research Skills ATL based on a combination of IB guidance, Principles to Practice, the amazing work of other educators and the experiences we were having in our own school. The work proved to be very popular and, hopefully, helpful to many. … Continue reading Thinking Skills: Working towards in IB ATLs

Understanding the IB Standards and Practices

What are the IB Standards and Practices? The IB Standards and Practices are a set of criteria for schools to guide how they implement programmes. These criteria shape the purpose, learning, culture and environment of the school - you can find them here. How should my school be using them? It can be tempting to … Continue reading Understanding the IB Standards and Practices

No more homework? Finding a way to support learning at home that builds skills and understanding without killing creativity and fun

In the face of a growing sense that homework is not effective for improving learning outcomes in primary age students, many teachers are facing the somewhat difficult question of what to do now.  We take a look at the evidence, and the way forward from here. Does Homework Work? Evidence on homework is at best, … Continue reading No more homework? Finding a way to support learning at home that builds skills and understanding without killing creativity and fun

International Teaching: Everything you need to know.

This week we’re excited to launch a new series of blog posts: International Teaching: Everything you need to know.  This series of 6 posts will be released over the coming few weeks and offer a wealth of information for teachers considering a move overseas, whether for the first time or the fifth.  Click on the … Continue reading International Teaching: Everything you need to know.

5 Ways to Reconnect with Your Students After a Break

As teachers we all understand the value of community building at the beginning of the year, and how important it is to establish connections, relationships and expectations. However, mid-year breaks can sometimes throw things off a little. Taking time to reconnect with each member of your class (and your colleagues!) can help smooth the transition … Continue reading 5 Ways to Reconnect with Your Students After a Break