Learning objectives:

To consider different approaches to planning teaching and learning based upon a topic and its importance

To explore topic based planning in literacy, numeracy and the wider curriculum

To understand how to embed opportunities for effective over learning, retrieval practice and concept formation within a sensory topic-based set of activities throughout the day

To understand how to use environments outside of the classroom to offer pupils a different perspective or experience linked to a topic

To understand the key issues in appropriate resource curation including copyright safety

To understand the role technology can play to support pupil’s access to learning

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5 January 2022 Agenda

9.00 am Admissions and virtual tea/coffee to start the session

9.05 am Welcome & introduction plus warm-up session

9.15 am Session 1:  Getting started – planning round a topic

We start by sharing different approaches to planning your teaching and learning based on a topic.  We answer questions such as:

  • Why is topic based teaching so important?
  • Where do I start – with the student or the topic?
  • How do I plan topic related sensory activities?
  • What resources do I need to collect?
  • Where do I look for inspiring and fun resources?
  • What about copyright?

9.45 am Breakout Room Task

10 am Session 2: Literacy – choosing a core text.

Next, we look at how to choose a text which will make a great base for your chosen topic.  We discuss how you can extend the learning opportunities offered by this by choosing additional literary sources, such as a poem or sensory story.  We move on to how to identify core vocabulary within your text and highlight effective strategies to work with it across the day.  Lastly, we briefly assess the role technology can play to support pupil’s access to learning.

10.35 am Chat Task

10.45 am COFFEE BREAK and mini online learning task

11.10 am Session 3:  The Wider Curriculum – finding the balance!

Our students often require effective over learning, retrieval practice and generalisation opportunities in order for concepts to become soundly established in memory.  Therefore, we need to offer our pupils a variety of different ways of exploring core curriculum concepts, skills and themes throughout the day.  This session will share ideas for extending our topic into Art and Music activities.

11.40 am Introducing our interim reflective practice task.

11.50 am Q & A

Delegates to ask questions in chat throughout the morning so these can be followed up.

12 pm Plenary, thank you and end of session!

28 January 2022 Agenda

9.00 am Admissions and virtual tea/coffee to start the session

9.05 am Welcome & introduction plus warm-up session  

9.15 am Session 1:  Numeracy

In this first session, we look at planning for specific mathematical concepts and vocabulary, and how to embed these within your topic.

We look at ideas and strategies to generalise concept formation and mathematical thinking in a sensory topic-based set of activities.  We ansewr questions such as:

  • What resources do I need to collect?
  • Where do I look for inspiring and fun resources?

9.45 am Breakout Room Task

10 am Session 2: Using the Sensory Room for your topic

In this session, we move out of the classroom and into the sensory room.  How can we make this space, and what we do in it, match and extend our topic?  Ideas for individual, small group and whole group targets and activities are shared.

10.30 am Chat Task

10.45 am COFFEE BREAK and mini online learning task

11.05 am Session 3:  Beyond the Classroom!

Our final session looks at topic based learning beyond the classroom. Outside of our sensory room and classroom, which other environments could offer our pupils  a different perspective or set of experiences linked to our topic? What unique opportunities does the library or the wider community offer for example?   What activities in the playground or sensory garden can we offer pupils? How can we involve parents/carers in exploring our topic at home?

11.45 am Q & A

Delegates to ask questions in chat throughout the morning so these can be followed up.

12 pm Plenary, thank you and end of session!

5 January: 9 am – 12 pm

(recording available to view now)

28 January: 9 am – 12 pm

With Richard Hirstwood and Carol Allen.

Is your topic planning creative or restrictive?

This two part course introduces a structure for theme based topic planning. We share a process which covers the key issues in topic planning for literacy, numeracy and the wider curriculum, based on a theme.

The two practical sessions cover the why; the where and the how, of appropriate and effective resource curation and selection; and identify effective ways to use these in your classroom.

We look at how other environments outside of the classroom can offer pupils a different perspective or experience linked to a topic.

A interim reflective practice task gives delegates the opportunity to consider further topic planning within their own setting.

Both sessions will create a ‘topic box’ of ideas for activities; appropriate resources and ideas to take away.

Suitable both for ECT new to the profession and those who would like a refresh and easy access to new ideas, the day is informative, practical and fun.

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 learning needs and/or autism.

DIGITAL RESOURCE PACK

 

The following resources will be available in your account for one week after the course date: A digital recording of this event, any resources shared/signposted during the session and a transcript of Zoom chat.

COST

Creative Topic Planning costs £120 plus VAT per place (£144 in total).  This covers both sessions on 5 and 28 January 2022.

GROUP BOOKINGS FOR SCHOOLS/SETTINGS

 

If you wish to make a group booking for this course – we can do this quickly and easily for you! Please email a spreadsheet with the first name/surname/email addresses of the delegates you wish to book for. Email to lois@hirstwood.com. We will then create access to this course for your colleagues. A Purchase Order Number will secure your booking.

Video Description

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.)

Cost: £120 plus VAT per place

(£144 including VAT)

Book now!