I don't know how it works around the world, but in secondary schools in the UK, students always start their day with their "form tutor" for about 15 minutes or so to register and settle them before their lessons begin. Due to the multiple teachers students have in secondary school, having that one member of staff they see every day really helps offer them some stability in knowing someone is responsible for their emotional well-being in school.
I like that we are given complete freedom with our students during tutor time, and I personally choose spend it connecting with my students on a deeper level. We discuss issues in their own lives but we also take the opportunity to reflect on global affairs. Therefore, every morning I have the world news on the projector ready for when they come in so they can immediately settle down and watch what is going on around the world. I wonder whether many of them get much time to do this at home with all their extra-curricular activities and homework!
In my experience, many young people in the UK are generally well-travelled and so are always keen to learn about new countries and events around the world. (There's only so much the UK can offer, and sunshine isn't often one of them!) :D
My students are always enthusiastic and interested in the news and I love hearing their own conversations about global events and their views on the topics (independent of any prompting from me!). Oftentimes, if a story is particularly interesting or moving we then have a class discussion on the topic as well. I get the feeling they really love sharing their thoughts and being listened to and treated like adults, not necessarily being "taught" during this time, but just having adult conversations about relevant issues. I enjoy this pastoral element, as it allows me to really connect with and educate our young people outside of the curriculum on issues that really matter and affect their lives as global citizens.
I'm really interested, do you have this kind of "tutor time" set up in your country? If so, how do you use this time?
I like that we are given complete freedom with our students during tutor time, and I personally choose spend it connecting with my students on a deeper level. We discuss issues in their own lives but we also take the opportunity to reflect on global affairs. Therefore, every morning I have the world news on the projector ready for when they come in so they can immediately settle down and watch what is going on around the world. I wonder whether many of them get much time to do this at home with all their extra-curricular activities and homework!
In my experience, many young people in the UK are generally well-travelled and so are always keen to learn about new countries and events around the world. (There's only so much the UK can offer, and sunshine isn't often one of them!) :D
My students are always enthusiastic and interested in the news and I love hearing their own conversations about global events and their views on the topics (independent of any prompting from me!). Oftentimes, if a story is particularly interesting or moving we then have a class discussion on the topic as well. I get the feeling they really love sharing their thoughts and being listened to and treated like adults, not necessarily being "taught" during this time, but just having adult conversations about relevant issues. I enjoy this pastoral element, as it allows me to really connect with and educate our young people outside of the curriculum on issues that really matter and affect their lives as global citizens.
I'm really interested, do you have this kind of "tutor time" set up in your country? If so, how do you use this time?
Check out my previous blog post on:
Discussing with your students about the "fakeness" of social media
Discussing with your students about the "fakeness" of social media
