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Each teacher gets 2 days per term. Usually these are taken as a whole day release.
However, we are going to take them in blocks of time to make the best use of a reliever that we are using later on in the term.
The blocks are alocated as 3 per day, which gives each teacher 6 blocks a term.
The dilema with this is making sure teachers all get their alotted time!
The possible benefits:
- children handle the time their teacher is out of the classroom better
- More structured use of time
- releaver gets to target curriculum teaching more strategically
- planning and assessment of target areas are shared
- A 'different' way doesn't necessarily mean a 'better' way
- Teachers who don't like change need support to adapt to the change
- teachers need to be super organised for their release times!
I am really interested in how other schools make use of CRT time?
If you need any more information , NZEI Guidelines for use of CRT can be found here.
Hi Myra,
ReplyDelete1. Do we have a policy on CRT?
2. Having done a job similar to this a while ago (teacher release in smaller blocks of time), it is hard (timewise) for the reliever to fulfil the expectations as set out in the guidelines,
" The teacher providing the release will be expected to liaise with the classroom
teacher before they undertake the release time. This is to ensure ... The teacher providing the release would normally be expected to plan the detailed activities they will teach within the parameters of the classroom teacher’s unit plans. The classroom teacher should receive feedback on how the programme went to enable them to pick up where the teacher providing the release finished."
Hard work when you could be in three different classes in a day. To solve this problem the teachers met and came up with a curriculum area eg music,drama,art,pe,listening,speaking etc that the relieving teacher taught throughout the syndicate. I guess it's a bit like planning for KC clubs and you do the same thing with all classes. It certainly made it easier. Just an idea...
It will be interesting to hear how other schools operate their CRT! :)
thanks for your thoughtful comments Mrs S.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, yes we do have a CRT policy, however it is due to be reviewed - rather timely I thought!
Secondly, I agree with your thoughts on the release teacher collaborating with each class teacher being a time consuming process. This process has been carefully thought through across all three sydicates, so that the release teacher is planning the same topic/curriculum area for each syndicate to minimise her workload, and maximise the learning opportunities for the learners.
I too look forward to hearing from other schools about their CRT processes.
Cheers
Myra