What makes a good lesson?

I was thinking today about what makes a good lesson- I don't mean OFSTED good, ticking all the boxes in that way, I was thinking more about what qualities a teacher needs in order to make the lesson a good experience for the children.
I was in a school and I observed a number of lessons, only one of which was delivered with any sort of enjoyment. Obviously I was there and that makes it more nerve wracking for all concerned; but only one teacher actually seemed to be enjoying herself and enjoying being with the children. Interestingly she was the most inexperienced of all of them. I started wondering whether it was chicken or egg- was she enjoying herself and therefore it was a good lesson or was it a good lesson because she was having such fun? Of course the elements of were the children actually learning anything are extremely important; but they were learning in some of the other classes and yet none of those lessons were as good.
Do we need to put the fun back into teaching? Is that the elusive ingredient to getting better results? Has all the joy been sucked out of teaching and in a double whammy meant the teaching is less good?
I'll have to try out the theory, having fun means a better lesson, the next time I'm in a school!

To teach it or not to teach!

I was reading a Telegraph article about ten  Local Authorities who it would appear have refused to back phonics teaching. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9025860/Warning-as-schools-shun-traditional-reading-methods.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

I have to confess I was originally quite cynical about phonics when Letters and Sounds first came out. I had always taught phonics but never as systematically as the programme dictated. My view was, if it was that easy, why weren't we all doing it long ago? Now I simply ask, why aren't we all doing it?

 I have now seen at first hand the incredible difference good phonics teaching is making to children's lives. It really is transforming teaching and learning in places where it is being delivered well. So I do seriously have to question why certain Local Authorities are so opposed to it.  It works, it is free (if you use Letters and Sounds) and it raises standards. There is nothing there anyone could object to. I do agree phonics alone or in isolation is not sufficient; it is a tool to teach reading and writing, but such a good one you'd be crazy not to try it.

As teachers we all want what is best for our pupils and also something that is easy and effective- here it is, on a plate. Why isn't everyone using it?

Trying it out

I had this fantastic thought for my  literacy newsletter; why not encourage children to write by blogging?

 I have had this vague thought that I should have a blog for some time now but never got round to it. The deadline for the newsletter definitely crystallised my thoughts.  If I try it out, modelling the use of a blog, I will know how to encourage children to use one. I had no idea it was quite so easy, even my four year old will be able to contribute to this!

Of course my next concern is will anyone actually read it? How will anyone know this blog exists? I'll have to go and find out.....