Why should I attend?
Is your topic planning restrictive or creative? This two part course offers you a structure for topic planning. The sessions will be practical and cover the why; the where and the how, of safe and ethical resource curation and selection through the theme of ‘We are all makers!’ The ultimate outcome is access to a ‘topic box’ of ideas for activities; appropriate resources and ideas to take away and use in your own setting and within your home learning offerings.
Agenda
Session times will be 9am – 12.15pm.
Our new course format offers delegates the chance to explore topic planning in more depth than a ‘one-off’ course could do. Splitting the course into two live sessions allows time for the understanding, consolidation and practical application of information from both sessions – and the chance to ask further questions!
The interval between the two dates will allow delegates the opportunity to complete a further mini online course; with practical Action Research activities and to apply this to your own practice and setting before moving on to the next stage. Delegates should attend both sessions.
Our theme for topic planning over both dates is ‘We are all makers!’
The ultimate outcome is access to a collaborative ‘topic box’ of ideas for activities; appropriate resources and ideas to take away and use in your own setting or within your home learning offerings. These will all be linked to the topic title of ‘We are all makers!’ but of course, could be used in a much wider range of teaching and learning opportunities.
Additionally, a format for planning around a topic will be used which may refresh, validate or add new ideas to those with existing formats but equally, be a starting framework for those unsure as to how to tackle such a task when faced with a topic title and no prior planning to use as a starting point.
Sessions will be based on a selection of the following:
Literacy: Choosing a focus text; deconstructing text; alternative formats; linked resources e.g. poetry; and core communication vocabulary.
Numeracy/Cognition: Linking work in this area substantially rather than tenuously to the topic focus. Getting the right balance between precision and creative teaching activities.
Sensory: How to take a three phased approach – sensory topic work based in themed sensory rooms/areas; sensory work integrated into class activities and 1:1 individualised sensory targets using the theme as a prompt.
Creativity: Looking at the creative subject areas through the lens offered by the topic title: what opportunities does this offer?
Life Skills: How do we use the topic to provide a consistent link when we are working in life skills areas for example self help: food and drink; problem solving; hobbies and leisure pursuits?
SEMH: Can a curriculum topic support work in the area of wellbeing; self regulation and self esteem? We will explore simple, and positive ways to make this happen.
The interim opportunity will be clearly discussed and accompanied by an online mini-course which can be worked through at your leisure. Small-scale Action Research projects will be suggested for delegates to explore. There will also be the opportunity to feedback and share outcomes of your Action Research to add to the shared knowledge of the group.
Who should attend?
This will be appropriate for classroom practitioners from special schools and colleges, mainstream settings with specialist SEN provision and early years settings, who are working with pupils with complex needs and/or autism.
DIGITAL RESOURCE PACK
Resources shared/signposted during the session (i.e. during Zoom chat) will be emailed to delegates as a pdf after the session.
Important information before you book
The ‘Book now!’ button will take you to a new page where you can book and pay for this course. Please note: if you are booking for someone else, please create the account using their name and email address. You will still be able to pay by credit card (even it has a different name/school name on it.)