Hello!

Well, I ve finally managed to get back on here which Im really pleased about. I didnt get into Queens, but did go up to warwick, which Im glad about really, as moving to a whole new country and new uni on my own would have been too much! Also, Warwick are much better than Queens. Its been a tough year to be honest, I have moved a couple of times, which is always unsettling, and have found it hard to settle in at warwick, although I have enjoyed it. I am determined to get the most out of my final year though. Final year, wow, sounds scary saying that! The end is in sight. I have also (drum roll please...rrrrrr!) been asked to particpate in a new blog that Compassion Uk (christian organisation through which I sponsor two children, Mariana from Bolivia, and Jean from Haiti) are organising! I am so thrilled, finally my talents are being recognised and encouraged :) seems like a positive note to end on, Nicola x

Long time no write!!

Hello! Well, it is a long time since Ive written this, I havent been able to get onto it! Well, a few things have fallen into place of late (mainly spirtual matters) and I have discovered (yet again) I just need to have a bit more confidence in myself. I have been given some good advice by my former pastor, it seems like I still need pastoral guidance, and even though she is not officially a pastor any more, Shirley is still in that role! I am going to a new church, which I absolutley love, and wish I d found sooner! College wise, I have lots of work to do, and not much time to do it, this will change when I go to Queens/Warwick (still dont know wether im in yet!).I will have to b more organised. I am doing an essay for Fiona at the minute, about Assessments, actually quite interesting! Well, time and tide wait for no man, as they say (or woman!), so Id better go, love Nicola x Ps: Cat (mums cat) is now 9 months old, and being a bit more grown up, but still a little terror, a sweet one though!

Money matters

Hi! Well after a long time of not writing this, I thought I would update my blog with reference to something I put in my idea for a 21st century curriculum. I commented that children should be taught how to manage money, and it seems like the government are finally taking notice, as they are introducing financial literacy lessons from next year into the curriculum! Hooray! Still it remains to be seen as to what these will be like. Look on the sky news website to find the story, which is entitled 'children to get lessons in personal finance'. I am all in favour of children learning how to manage money properley. Hope you all had a good christmas and new year, Love Nicola x

Last one!

My thoughts are that certain subjects ( such as history, geography, R.E, etc) should be for children to find out about in their own time, if they are interested in them. I also think that subjects such as Art, music, dance , drama, debating, sport, are very important, and should be catered for with numerous after school clubs, with qualified , responsible staff to run them, children should be encouraged to join these.I think a 21st century curriculum, should see much more communication and partnership between home and school. Parents should be involved in the school much more, and teachers and other staff should really see themselves and parents/carers as partners in their child's education and upbringing, home and school should be seen as interlinked. Parents/carers should encourage children to put into practice what they have learnt at school, for example, helping out at home with chores, budgeting their pocket money, helping with the shopping, keeping their spaces tidy and clean etc. I m sorry to have written so many words about this, but I think any less would nt have done the subject justice! These are my ideas on what a 21st century curriculum should be like, I welcome comments! Please write some!!!

continuing with 21st century curriculum.........

Yes, testing, i think as, much as possible, children should be tested on what they have just learnt, to make sure they have understood it, ongoing assesment, rather than a big formal test at certain times. Children should be frequently reminded of material to make sure they don't forget it. SAT's should be scrapped, they are only there to please adults, and they upset and worry children in general. Possibly GCSE'S and A levels won't exsist in future, they may be replaced with something else, who know, possibly the more practical diploma's , maybe employers and university's will start viewing them as important. My views are that a 21st century curriculum has to move with the times, and I think ICT, personal , social and emotional development, and life skills are going to be most important. Learning how to understand and handle yourself, think of others needs and wishes, and communicate with others. Also, teaching needs to change with the times, maybe from a diadatic methodology (I was paying attention Brian!) to one of a more facilitating one, teachers finding out what their students/pupils already know,(unlike Piaget, who came from a standpoint of looking at what the chil;d couldnt do, had yet to be able to do), then buliding on that, working alongside them, encouraging them to want to learn. More on other subjects and their place in a 21st century curriculum in a minute....

More 21st century curriculum....

I also think it is extremley important to allow children (with senstivity to know when they are just mucking around of course!) to have enough time to finish what they are doing, I have noticed in primary schools they are allowed a certain time to finish their work, and then it's onto the next thing! I m not saying that work doesnt ever get finished because Im sure it does, and sometimes it is the right thing to move on, but generally children need to be able to learn the skills of persevering with what they are doing, and to finish it, otherwise they will learn not to finish things, and leave them halfway through! It is important to learn to finish one thing before you start another, and also to clear one thing away before you get something else out. We need to involve children in caring for the school environment, and to clear up after themselves, to leave things clean and tidy. Also, I think we need to check children have understood something before we go onto the next thing, it's no use carrying on if someone doesnt understand, otherwise, whats's been gained? If most children undersand, but a few don't , they could perhaps be taken by a LSA to go over the material again until they do understand (within reason and time constraints of course). That leads me onto testing .....will have continue in a fresh entry....

21st century curriculum continued...

I think we should concentrate in the afternoon's more on teaching subjects like citizenship, caring for people and respecting people because of who they are. If we don't teach this effectivley at an early age, children may end up getting into trouble for hurting people when they are older. we need to teach children that everyone is unique and special and should be treated with respect because they are a human being. I don't think we should encourage children to learn about other religons neccesarily, people should be treated with respect no matter what their religon.I also think we need to teach children life skills, such as healthy eating, cooking, how to do housework (apprpriate to their age and what they can manage of course), and financial literacy, how to handle money (again, appropriate to their age and stage of course). So many so called 'intelligent' adults come out of school with armfuls of GCSE'S and A-levels, yet they haven't got a clue how to manage a home, money, their time, etc.If we teach children skills like that from an early age, and continue to teach them, they will have that hopefully for life. With that, i think we need to teach children research skills (vitally important, espeically for further study), and how to be independant learners and thinkers. We need to encourage children to be independant as much as possible, plan their own work and targets, and manage their own time, this can be done from an early age! More thoughts in a minute....