How can we enthuse our learners? Well of course, we plan and deliver exciting and engaging lessons, we vary the activities and our own pedagogy to meet the needs of our pupils, and finally we take our time to ensure that we cover the curriculum content/subject specification in depth, so that our pupils really ‘know’ the subject. That's enough right? Or is there more to do?
Do we consider where there is an opportunity for pupils to explore and study exciting topics that perhaps our specifications do not cover; or maybe explore how our subject relates to current affairs?
Pupils will explore your subject further if you provide opportunities for them to do so. This is not just about putting on extra curricular clubs or trips and visits (which both have immense value), but a chance to explore for themselves through wider reading.
In the past it may have been difficult to promote wider reading; demanding an extensive library and support from home. However, now we can see how the reading culture at Denbigh has progressed with the development of technology. It would not be unusual to find our students on an iPad in the library (or using their own Chromebook) that can give them access to knowledge that we could only have dreamt of when we were at the same age.
In short, exposing students to reading is not difficult. We just have to find structured and engaging ways to do it.
In the past it may have been difficult to promote wider reading; demanding an extensive library and support from home. However, now we can see how the reading culture at Denbigh has progressed with the development of technology. It would not be unusual to find our students on an iPad in the library (or using their own Chromebook) that can give them access to knowledge that we could only have dreamt of when we were at the same age.
In short, exposing students to reading is not difficult. We just have to find structured and engaging ways to do it.
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| Chromebooks and apps such as google classroom can provide a gateway to wider reading that was not possible just a few years ago. |
Practical strategies
In my own classes, and across the arts based subjects, we are transforming the way in which our pupils are exposed to our subjects through wider reading. Each week, we as subject leaders (and experts) are finding articles of interest that feature our subjects. Students are required to read the article or articles before responding with their own thoughts and ideas on a classroom blog, to an open ended question set by the teacher.
In my own classes, and across the arts based subjects, we are transforming the way in which our pupils are exposed to our subjects through wider reading. Each week, we as subject leaders (and experts) are finding articles of interest that feature our subjects. Students are required to read the article or articles before responding with their own thoughts and ideas on a classroom blog, to an open ended question set by the teacher.
The importance here is in the selection of the article, which relies on the teacher's own expertise, understanding and curiosity about their subject. There are exciting opportunities to expand beyond the parameters of what your own programmes of study offer students.
| Selecting the right article is key. Is it accessible? Is it engaging? Does it link enough to prior learning to make it meaningful? |
A good example of this would be an article that was provided to a year 11 PE class on the IAAF’s treatment of female athlete Caster Semenya. Although the class were learning about the importance of ‘balanced competition’, the posed question encouraged deeper critical thinking. Pupils had to challenge their own understanding of gender (and stereotypes) to explore whether or not they felt Semenya was ‘woman enough’ to compete, and whether the IAAF had treated her in a humane way or not? When we returned to discuss the article in our next lesson, the conversation progressed from social justice to the use of performance enhancing drugs to gain an advantage. The beauty of this discussion was that pupils were drawing on their own knowledge and understanding to give valid and well informed opinions. What followed next was a golden moment… ‘this is not the first time that the IAAF have been too harsh' spoke a student... 'I felt that the way they treated Dwain Chambers when he used drugs was far too excessive’. I asked my student how she knew about this and she replied that she had read one of the linked articles at the bottom of the one I had provided. This is a perfect example of a pupil being both curious and independent. This is what we want.
A possible challenge now is for the students to find their own relevant articles of interest to share with the class (although of course this will require moderation from the subject leader), and pose the open ended questions themselves to their peers.
I hope that the google classroom will be an effective way of evidencing the students reading, their thought processes, and their curiosity. By setting reading tasks regularly, a culture of reading around a subject can be embedded. Furthermore, by selecting articles that are appropriate for stretch and challenge we can build a deep rooted knowledge structure that can help develop higher order thinking skills (especially with the more and most able cohort). Positive outcomes for everyone!
I hope that the google classroom will be an effective way of evidencing the students reading, their thought processes, and their curiosity. By setting reading tasks regularly, a culture of reading around a subject can be embedded. Furthermore, by selecting articles that are appropriate for stretch and challenge we can build a deep rooted knowledge structure that can help develop higher order thinking skills (especially with the more and most able cohort). Positive outcomes for everyone!
You can follow Erin Corder on Twitter:
@CorderMrs
Useful links:
- https://www.completeissues.co.uk/welcome (Great for student focussed articles)
- https://theday.co.uk/ (Great for student focussed articles)
- https://www.npr.org/2019/05/31/728400819/i-am-a-woman-track-star-caster-semenya-continues-her-fight-to-compete-as-a-femal?t=1573205543643&t=1573463026770
- https://cdn.oxfordowl.co.uk/2017/04/21/10/51/51/265/bp_osi_buildingoutstanding.pdf
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