NEWS
Engineering in pole position
F1 in Schools, an initiative aimed at encouraging young people to consider engineering as a career, has developed a set of resources to help schools run their own Formula One projects. Pupils can get involved in designing, making and racing miniature balsa wood cars and schools can also run after-school clubs or competitions. Visit www.f1inschools.co.uk
SEN is noted
The National Association of Music Educators is hosting a conference on children with special needs. “Music Included” will take place on 5 March in Leeds. Go to www.yamsen.org.uk
PSHE rated important
The latest Headspace survey, which polled senior school leaders, found that 98 per cent of respondents rated PSHE as “important” in their schools, while 78 per cent described it as “very important”. The fact the subject is not compulsory has not decreased its importance, the survey found.
MUSIC
What is it
This is a collection of resources on world music, including African music and reggae, and topics on instrumentation, performance and composition.
How to use it
As a potential introduction to world music, there is a Teachers TV video of teachers at the Brit School in Croydon discussing its importance. There are a range of resources focusing on specific types of world music or music from specific places. To complement this, Laura MacMillan has uploaded a Word file pupils can use as their world music “passport”, ticking off different countries and instruments as they learn about them.
For lessons focusing on African music, there are several resources, including worksheets on African instruments, plus an activity where pupils write down a key term and its definition and pass it on to another pupil for marking (both supplied by Caroline Firman).
There are also resources attached to the set work Yiri, by Koko. For example, Caroline Firman has uploaded a mind-map where pupils can record their thoughts after first listening to the piece.
Where to find it
See it at www.tes.co.ukworld-music
SCIENCE
What is it
Physics resources chosen by TES science adviser Dr Richard Spencer.
How to use it
For KS3 there are a range of resources, from lesson plans looking at the relationship between force and motion (uploaded by andreahlimb) to a “chatterbox” that teachers or pupils can make out of paper to demonstrate light and shadow (from Chris1962). For a fun activity, Wordy William has supplied “the atom game”.
Where to find it
www.tes.co.uksecondary-physics
PSHE
What is it
This is a group of resources looking at the theme of diversity in the classroom. It includes discussion topics such as racism, bullying, same-sex relationships and stereotypes.
How to use it
One of the key skills for running a good PSHE class is knowing how to structure the discussion. Mikegershon has uploaded a PowerPoint discussion toolkit, which maps different scenarios for classroom talks from circle time to the listening triad, where pupils sit in threes and one observes the discussion between the other two.
In terms of topics, there is a useful PowerPoint focusing on racism in football, (uploaded by playwithdolls), that could provide a basis for a discussion. Outspark has provided an ethical dilemma for pupils to consider, entitled “The fairest teacher of them all?” This activity asks pupils to reflect on whether teachers should treat everyone the same way.
A useful PSHE resource for teachers of younger secondary pupils is a selection of anti-bullying and conflict-resolution materials uploaded by nikkiwatson.
Where to find it
www.tes.co.ukclassroom-diversity.
