A blog for students on the FDLT and BALT courses at the University of Northampton

at Leicester and UON

July 30, 2019
by Jean
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Changes to QTS tests

You might have seen in the media recently that the one of the parts of the teacher training application has changed: the QTS skills tests in English and mathematics.  The government statement says: “To support this, the government today announced … Continue reading

April 4, 2019
by Jean
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Animating science!

This week in the FDLT Year 1 groups we have been using the stop motion animation app iMotion and the video editing app iMovie. The students devised, scripted and designed short animations to explain an idea or process. After they … Continue reading

December 17, 2018
by Jean
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Using digital apps and tools to support spoken language

Last week the FDLT Y1 students in the Leicester and Northampton groups explored a variety of apps and tools to support and inspire spoken language in the classroom. Using ChatterPix Making vocabulary interactive    

December 3, 2018
by Jean
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Christmas writing fun!

Pobble have shared ten fun ideas to inspire writing with a Christmas theme here. Christmas poems Jesse’s frosty festive poem evokes all the senses. She’d love you to have a read. Christmas in China What is your Christmas fortune? Dexter … Continue reading

June 13, 2018
by Jean
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FDLT year 1 field trips

Last week the FDLT year 1 students went on field trips to explore different ways of supporting learning outdoors. Led by Ken Bland and Georgina Hand, they explored fieldwork around a river including mapping the meander, measuring depth; testing speed … Continue reading

June 7, 2018
by Jean
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Can your pupils sew on a button?

Great British Button Challenge! Hobbycraft did some research and found that out of the 10,000 people they surveyed 1 in 5 could not sew on a button, with 52% never taught this at school (Hobbycraft, 2018). This summer they’re running … Continue reading

May 31, 2018
by Jean
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Springwatch Wild Academy

Nature live, straight into your classrooms! The Springwatch team are excited to announce eight new live programmes especially for schools! Beaming direct into your classroom, the Wild Academy will open for business at 1:30pm on Monday 4th June. Join us Monday … Continue reading

April 27, 2018
by Jean
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30 days wild!

The Wildlife Trust invites you to something wild every day in June: random acts of wildness. You can sign up here to get a free pack including a wall chart, interactive booklet and some stickers. There is also an app. … Continue reading

March 29, 2018
by Jean
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Keep Learning!

As supporters of learning and people interested in education you are likely to be seeking opportunities to keep learning yourselves. This might be to fill gaps in your subject knowledge, to allow you to perform your role more effectively or … Continue reading

January 12, 2018
by Jean
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500 words – live lesson!

On Monday 15th January at 2pm there’s a live lesson available to watch to inspire your participation in the BBC Radio 2 500 words writing competition. You can see information about the live lesson here. Calling all story writers! Now … Continue reading