In celebration of the beautiful struggle…

The revolution is here, the revolution is here people
I said it once, I'll say it twice
You gots to be ready
The revolution is inside of you
People, the revolution is here, yeah

There we were. Minding our own business when it hit me like a steam train.

Curriculum change isn’t supposed to be easy, uncontested or a process that shouldn’t have resistance.
The acquisition of skills, knowledge and understanding isn’t easy.
People are supposed to question the introduction of new pedagogy and the taking of risks.
Paths blazed are not supposed to be easy to follow.
It’s meant to feel that your head is hitting a brick wall when pushing for change.
Young people and adults are supposed to fail. More importantly, they are supposed to continue on.
We are meant to question what it is we are doing, whether we should be doing it and whether it is really worth it.
Part of leadership is about encouraging and allowing other people to do better than you and about challenging the top, middle and bottom.

‘Now let us begin. Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful, struggle for a new world.’ Martin Luther King

How often are young people and adults allowed to explore and engage with the beautiful struggle? On reflection, the last three years have been turbulent, heart breaking and desperate at times. But, the changes being seen mean that the battles fought, lost and won have been undoubtedly worth it. We can’t prove it, but we know.

So, here’s to the beautiful struggle in education, for education and about education.

We fightin' the good fight
The Beautiful Struggle
Yeah, let's go

Photographs from an interesting day in the Sothern Highlands.

Lyrics by Talib Kweli ‘The Beautiful Struggle’

Comments

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Banned Word Board

Today I want to share some simple ideas that I have found to be very effective in the classroom. I can't say that they are my own original ideas, although I have played around with them. The first is the Banned word Board. This is a simple display in the classroom that lists a number of words that are not allowed to be used by pupils in their written or oral answers. The effect has been an increase in the quality of written work, and I have almost made comments such as 'Sir it's simple, the stuff just affects the thing and causes people problems'. Pupils are now more able to use specific language, something that is vital especially at GCSE. I have had to make a few modifications, such as the introduction of 'Heavenly Words' This is an additional display placed on the ceiling. I found this necessary as pupils needed some stimulus in finding replacement words. After advice received after posting the idea on the SLN forum , I have also introduced semi-banned words...

Year 10 need your help! Can we get Twitter and Facebook in to a GCSE project?

I’ve been told that social media has no place in the classroom. Now, this post is not to battle that argument head on. Let’s smash it. This week, Year 10 are visiting Hengistbury Head . They are investigating whether this piece of coastline should be protected. They are wondering what you think? You may know the location well, you may not know it at all. But we’d like to hear from you all the same. This will either result in some usable data and comments, or not. Either way, we'll know and I’m sure that your comments will help spark discussion in class! What would Year 10 like me to do? Just simply comment on this post or tweet me, with an answer to this question: ‘Should Hengistubury Head be protected from the Sea? Just answer Yes or No and give a brief reason. It would also be useful if you could tell us whether you know the area or not. Many thanks in anticipation…… Image – my own.

David Rogers

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