Posts

Expressive Arts and the Four Purposes

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Hello Bloggers! Today’s blog will be asking how can expressive arts sessions relate to the four purposes of the curriculum set out by Donaldson (2015)? Firstly, what are the four purposes of the curriculum? According to Donaldson (2015) the four purposes are ‘ambitious, capable learners that are ready to learn throughout their lives’, ‘enterprising, creative contributors that are ready to play a full part in life and work’, ethical, informed citizens that are ready to be citizens of Wales and the world’ and finally ‘healthy, confident individuals that are ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society’. Expressive Arts is one of the six areas of learning and experience recommended by Donaldson. Expressive Arts is a creative area, where children are encouraged to improve upon their talent and develop skills in art and performances. While developing these skills the expressive arts address ‘issues of personal and cultural identity’. Donaldson regards express...
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The Value of Welsh Language

Hello Bloggers! This blog will look at the value of Welsh Language in primary education. Important questions that this blog will pose will be why is the Welsh language valuable? Why should we teach Welsh language in primary education? Should we teach it from an early age? And finally, what are the perceived benefits? Wales aim to be a bilingual nation, this was stated in the Welsh language act in 1993 and a strong message that is behind all educational government initiatives. The Welsh language is one of the oldest languages spoken in Europe. Although an Act of Union in 1539 made Wales a part of England, the Welsh language remained in homes and churches (Williams, 2018). The history of the language shows its value and it is important that teaching Welsh language remains an integral part of primary education. Welsh Language has been a part of primary education in Wales, since the Education Reform Act in 1990. Since this act, welsh language lessons have been taught in both ke...
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Making Science and Technology Engaging

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Hello Bloggers! My second blog back will look at how science and technology activities can be made engaging and relevant in primary education? Science and Technology falls under one of the six areas of learning and experience recommended in the successful futures document (2015). Donaldson defines science as ‘gaining knowledge through observation and experimentation’ and technology as ‘applying scientific knowledge in practical ways’. Science and technology is constantly changing and improving the way that we live. It makes modern society and helps us to understand and solve big questions that our world faces (Welsh Government, 2014). How does science and technology link? In today’s society it is becoming vitally important to make science and technology engaging for pupils and get pupils engaged in the subjects from a young age. It has been identified that there is a national shortage people working in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers (Recruitm...
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Physical Education and Well-being in Primary Education

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Hello Bloggers! It has been a long time since I last wrote a blog but I am happy to be back writing. The following blog series will continue to focus on the areas of learning and experience and their effects on primary education. Today’s blog will focus on how physical education can be used to promote well-being in primary education. Cabinet Secretary for Education in Wales, Kirsty Williams (2018) believes that teachers should be recognising changes in children’s physical health and wellbeing. Williams states that it is important that teachers identify the changes and intervene in order to prevent the health and wellbeing of the child from deteriorating, however, only 4.2% of children that have access to counselling within their school will go on to seek additional help with wellbeing (Cording, 2018). Williams highlights that it is the responsibility of the school to help their students that are struggling with their health and wellbeing and not the responsibility of outside ...
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Experience during placement

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Once again bloggers welcome back! Throughout todays blog post I am going to be discussing my experience from my time spent on placement in Georgetown Primary School over a two week period in January of 2018. The blog is going to reflect on my time in the school and I will discuss what I learned and gained throughout the experience. Georgetown Junior and Infants Primary School is a school within Tredegar, Wales. The new school as it stands opened in 1989 and the nursery in September 2003, although the site was new Georgetown primary had been serving the communities educational needs since 1877. (Thomas, 2017) Georgetown is a state funded primary school which follows the Welsh national curriculum and is controlled by the local authority in final decisions. (British Government, 2015) The schools head teacher is Lisa Thomas, appointed to the role only in September 2017, within the school report she looks to improve the school more and more over the coming year to improve results. (Tho...
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