021. Scrap the new Primary Language Curriculum
The new Primary Language Curriculum was a result of the very odd 2011 Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, which was hastily put together after a small blip in Ireland’s PISA results, where it scored a little less than it had in the past. Within weeks, a new language curriculum was on the cards and the NCCA […]
What are teachers for?
Michelle McBride writes about healthy eating in schools in her article called “It is not teachers who sneak chocolate in kids’ lunchboxes.” in the Independent on the 21st October 2015. I agree with her that not every new social concern can be foisted on to the teacher’s desk but there are some issues within her […]
Review&Competition:Language Games Galore-CD ROM
Review&Competition:Language Games Galore-CD ROM Anseo.net have been sent a whole bundle of wonderful CD-ROMs from Prim-Ed and they have also kindly offered us some for this month’s competition. I’m going to look at the Letters and Sounds and the Rhyming Words CD-ROMS together as they link things really well in terms of what an infant […]
Review & Competition: Science (Prim-Ed)
Science-a complementary resource to Primary Science-Prim-Ed Science is made up of 6 photocopiable and lesson plan resource books for teachers. Each book maps to an age group so Book 1 is suitable for 5-6 year olds, according to the publishers. Though, the book you choose will depend on the level or your own children and […]
Review: The Wordsworth Learning System
It seems that we are over a hump in Irish education. Most of us are no longer asking whether technology should be used in education anymore, and instead, we are now asking how should we use technology in our classrooms to enhance children’s learning? Granted, it’s taken a long time for us to get here […]
Killing Primary Education
Back in October, The Irish Times ran a feature outlining the most influential people involved in education in Ireland. Eight months later towards the end of the school year, I thought I’d have a look at the man at the top of the list, Ruairi Quinn. The list itself was rather interesting in that it […]
Guest Article: The Gift of Dyslexia
Rita Treacy from Wordsworth Literacy Programme writes about how dyslexia paved the way for her career. Thanks to Rita for sharing her story. We will be reviewing the Wordworth Literacy Programme over the Easter holidays. When I was eighteen years of age and in my first year of third level education, I was informed that […]
Something to think about Ruairi Quinn (Part 1)
After attending the BETT conference in the UK, I experienced Michael Gove for the first time. For those of you who don’t know who he is, this is the education secretary in the UK who seems intent in driving everyone out of the teaching profession. Last week he announced that headteachers could now fire teachers […]
Have we witnessed the death knell for primary education in Ireland?
The long awaited plan for Literacy and Numeracy was published by the Department of Education this week. It was in reaction to Ireland’s slide in the latest PISA report, which saw Ireland drop down their league tables in both literacy and numeracy. The newest Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn, promised reform in our education system, […]
Review of the Emotions range:Flashcards&posters:Positive Press/Jenny Mosley
Review Emotions range:Flashcards&posters:Positive Press-Jenny Mosley This new product from Positive Press and Jenny Mosely consists of a set of bright picture cards and matching posters. They can be used as a way for children to talk about emotions and how people might look when they feel certain ways. The pictures not only show the facial […]