Chris Curtis @Xris32 Twitter profile

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 months

NEW BLOG: Symbolism, structure and chat #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

I see schools are closing because of the storm. What the world doesn’t know is that they are not closing for safety? They closing because of how KS3 reacts in wind. Day one of any teaching course should utter the following: beware the wind.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

I name all headteachers and SLT ‘The Real British Track and Trace’. If only the public knew what schools are having to do, daily. Headteachers and SLT are doing full time ‘Track and Trace’ on top of doing their existing job and that includes weekends. I applaud you all!

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

This is my mantra for the next few months:

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

To promote reading, I produce a reading newsletter each term. Easy to email, to parents, once converted to .pdf. Printed on A3 as a class poster. Happy to share, and continue sharing, if useful.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

Me telling my wife how my live lesson went for Year 11 when she has returned from teaching a mostly full class in a primary school and set online lessons for the ones missing. Respect to primary school colleagues.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

The amount of teaching bashing going on is alarming. We are only a few days away from the creation of the virus being blamed on teachers so they can get more time off work. Barbara, a science teacher, concocted the virus so she wouldn’t have to mark her mock papers.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

My grandfather passed away this morning. He was a man who inspired me in so many ways. Kind, caring and funny. Every Christmas is the last Christmas for something. Cuddle and hug everybody this Christmas. More so than usual. Treasure the time, the cuddles and the talk.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

... he said this: ‘if I am kind to one person, then he too will be kind to one other person. The kindness spreads.’ Sometimes, we forget, amongst the unpleasantness, there are good people doing such kind things and they don’t seek anything in return.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

1 year

Love this from @ChrisYoules . Great for primary and secondary colleagues. Loads of sentences for modelling writing. Going to sit next to my desk for awhile. So easy to dip into. 👍👍👍👍👍

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

Coming soon. Something for departments to purchase with their budget next year. Collection of readymade and photocopiable reading tests to spot problem areas and direct teaching. Something we have been doing over the last few years.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

10 months

Can’t ‘Hyde’ this any more! Thanks to @teachals and @SPryke2 for the opportunity. Coming this autumn. @watercart

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

6 years

Happy New Year Twitter. Do me a favour: don’t waste time on resolutions this year. After losing three family members this year, the one resolution I think everybody should have is show more love, kindness and warmth to strangers, friends and family. You never regret kindness.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

5 years

Who says English teachers do not take data seriously? This is my special head of department calculator!

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

5 years

A poetry lesson today exploring meaning and how meaning is created in Duffy’s Stealing. Revealed the poem a line at a time and students had to offer a comment based on a line from the bingo sheet. Not an exam question in sight and loads of discussion. KS3 is not diet GCSE

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

Faith in humanity restored. Visited a barber today. While I was having a trim, a young boy said he couldn’t pay the full amount for his hair. I offered to pay for him, but the owner let him pay what he could. The owner told me afterwards that it happens a lot now. But then...

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

I have a spare copy of my latest resource to give away: a book of photocopiable KS3 reading comprehension tests and lessons to help support reading skills. @FreedomtoTeach Will post to anywhere in the UK. RT to enter. Will pick a winner Friday 6pm.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

NEW BLOG: The first lesson is the deepest – getting to know you #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

Who knew being a presenter, director, script writer, script editor, sound engineer, technical assistant, ICT support, lighting, hair and makeup and producer for a week would be so exhausting? Sorry, typo. Who knew being a teacher online for a week would be so exhausting?

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

7 months

NEW BLOG: It’s all ‘bout that quote, ‘bout that quote, no ideas! #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

I am doing an assembly on misogyny and the language around it, including micro aggressions. Teachers, please respond to this Tweet with examples you have heard in schools by students. Grateful for any response.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

7 months

I visited a sixth form with my daughters tonight and the thing that sold it for them was the teachers. The teachers. Schools should never underestimate the value of passionate and friendly teachers. Schools should work hard to foster that.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

The #CAGs version of Line of Duty. Sophie, do you think you will have those Year 11 assessments marked for Tuesday?

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

5 years

Dear Father Christmas, For Christmas I would really, really, really like a Hegarty Maths equivalent for English teachers. I will be really good if you can promise me this. Thank you, Chris Age 40 3/4

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

NEW BLOG: Lessons on a page #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

6 months

If you want to treat an English teacher this Christmas, then this is a good bet. Dame Judi explaining her thoughts of characters she’s played. Such a rich exploration of the female characters. Love it when actors talk about character.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

NEW BLOG: Plugging in the gaps in Literature - pulling a thread #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

8.35 My wife is dressed and ready for the Joe Wicks workout. 8.36 Daughters - the intended audience for the show- are still not dressed.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 months

@ATRightMovies The Way Way Back - a hidden gem

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

5 years

Here’s an idea for all book publishers. Email heads of English monthly a pdf copy of the opening two pages of your books. We can then use them in the classroom for teaching and promote reading. And, then we can promote your book to target audience with minimum cost and fuss.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

There’s one thing I don’t understand: Facebook Valentine’s declarations of love. Don’t these people live with their lover? Can’t they just open a door and tell them in person? Ey lass. I love ya. Nothing says I love you like 200 characters and a picture on a social platform.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

Been playing around with quick, fast mini-mocks. Instead of using extracts, I have used paragraphs. So far I have used Jaws, OMAM and Farewell to Arms. Does anybody have a good paragraph with an interest structure?

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

9 months

I am very private about my family but for this once I am going to shout about something. My daughter has written her first blog. It’s a student’s perspective of sports and disability in schools. Please RT and share.

'I’m a bit wobbly but I’m also a 15-year-old girl wanting to be treated like every other teenager'

In the United Kingdom 160,000 people live with cerebral palsy and I am one of them, writes Mya Curtis. To me 160,000 seems like a huge number but how many of you have heard of cerebral palsy? If your...

www.linkedin.com

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

7 months

Being married to a primary school teacher has benefits. Wife brought these home and I think they are great. Do different age versions.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

1 year

Coming soon! A free online meeting for secondary Heads of English and deputies. Every term we will meet to discuss several key issues / pressing matters. Watch this space for signup details. Please spread the word.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

A collection of resources to help remote learning. Includes: booklets for Q5 writing, starter tasks for RJ / CC / PC poetry, @OakNational lesson links and Q5 lessons on a page.

Sharing Resources on Twitter and Blog CC

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

That jump from spotting devices to explaining the effect of a device is really tricky. Visited these old sheets today. Great for getting student to make connections and build explanations. Link one in each column. Paper 1 Q2

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

#ClosureResources AQA Question 5 booklets for Paper 1 and Paper 2.

Sharing Resources on Twitter and Blog CC

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

Who knew that all the coffee consumed during a month of TAG marking would finally kick in at 6am on the first day off?

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

Sharing this again. Nice way to start the term.

Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

NEW BLOG: The first lesson is the deepest – getting to know you #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

NEW BLOG: Poetry: Thanks for the Annotations #engchat #engchatuk #edblogshare

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

7 months

I have a free copy of Developing Brilliant Reading to give to someone. Just RT this tweet for a chance to win. Will pick a winner 15th October.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Please don’t obsess about changing in 2022. Instead focus on loving what you already have and enjoy that. Own it and live it. 13 years ago we were told our daughter would not walk because of her CP. She does walk. This is my favourite photo.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

Resources. As a nomadic department, we've found these booklets helpful in the first 5 minutes of a lesson. Print them out as A5 booklets. Teacher directs them to a page and then students work silently on them. Thanks to @Mathew_Lynch44 for the format.

Shared

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

6 years

Found this lovely treasure chest of podcasts for Shakespeare. Listened to one about street fighting in plays today with a class. Really interesting. Especially with the changes in law.

Shakespeare Unlimited podcast | Folger Shakespeare Library

Folger Shakespeare Library is the world's largest Shakespeare collection, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world. Shakespeare belongs to you. His world is vast. Come explore....

www.folger.edu

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

Don’t judge me, but I don’t own a Christmas jumper. In fact, I hate them. They are in the same Circle of Hell as novelty ties, socks and underpants. Have to dress Christmassy tomorrow. I am wearing all black. I am Christmas at night.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

Every English department in England this weekend: please pick the Maths department for the sample. Every Maths department: please pick English for the sample. Every other department: pick anybody but us.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

This time last year my book was published. To celebrate the book’s birthday, I will personally buy one copy and a fiction book for one person in the UK. No need to follow me or RT. Just respond to this tweet with a ‘yes’. One of my children will pick one person Friday 5pm.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

6 years

Just watched ‘Mamma Mia, here I go again’ and I’d like to praise @olparker1 , @2010Kathleenc and producers for a tiny detail which had a big impact: a dance routine featured a woman in a wheelchair. The first my daughter who uses a wheelchair had seen. A beaming smile. Thank you.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

1 year

Sometimes, it is the little things that help save time. One piece of paper.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

6 years

NEW BLOG: Interventions - stop swapping magic beans and cows #engchat #edchat

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

I am a little bit disappointed with Twitter at the moment. There’s a lot of unpleasantness going on. All unnecessary. You can disagree politely or simply walk away from something. Behind every account is a person. A thinking, feeling person. How we handle emotions is important.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

Let me check exam board info on evidence for Year 11. Oh look nothing. Still. It is not like we are waiting or anything. Not like we are trying to reassure students or anything.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

I must switch off. I must switch off. I must switch off. I know, I will read a book. Get to page 2...ooh that’s a great bit of description for creative writing. Could also use as a model of Paper 1 Q5. Now, get back to the story...Page 5’s an interesting way to structure a story.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

1 year

There have been quite a few things tweeted about #SEND recently which I think needs discussing, rather than attacking. It should be an opportunity to learn and develop. ‘I know better than an expert’ is, personally one of the most damaging trains of thought in teaching.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

I don’t normally do this but a #FF for all the teachers live teaching at the moment. We were never trained for this, but, like the A-Team, we are metaphorically trapped in a barn with a van, a welding torch and some steel drums. The A-Team saved the village and so will we.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

Here's a couple of these quick mini-mocks. Will add more as I make them. Thank you to the people her suggested paragraphs

Mini Exams

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

Been playing around with quick, fast mini-mocks. Instead of using extracts, I have used paragraphs. So far I have used Jaws, OMAM and Farewell to Arms. Does anybody have a good paragraph with an interest structure?

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

8 months

NEW BLOG: The GCSE English Da Vinci Code. #engchat #engchatuk . Includes booklets.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

NEW BLOG: Let’s talk about effect, baby? #edublogshare #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

5 years

Coming May 2019... @CrownHousePub

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

NEW BLOG: It started with one blank page…paragraphing. Some ideas on structuring Paper 1 Q5. #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

Due to the current situation, I wanted Year 10 and Year 11 to do something at the start of the lesson while I am setting things up. Photocopied as a booklet. I just shout out the number of the sheet I want them to do. One for RJ. One for poetry.

RJ Skills Checks.pptx

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

A big thank you @OakNational for the support this year. With the possibility of staff and student isolation this year, I have created a document to help students and staff with a jumping on point with GCSE work.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

Right, this week has probably been my hardest weeks of my teaching career. I feels like it is the last week of the longest term yet it is the first full week for some. Everybody can have an especially big drink tonight. I will not pay for it though - I am tight.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

Taught ‘Checking Out Me History’ today and used this extract to start the discussion. Really interesting perspective on writing, conditioning and racism.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 months

The combination of Christmas, nonuniform day and wind made for an interesting school day. Glad there were no wasps

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

The results of doing a thesaurus lesson with a KS3 class. Every time.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

11 months

NEW BLOG: Narrowing down revision in English #engchat #engchatuk #edublogshare

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

1 year

NEW BLOG: You cannot simplify English! #engchat #engchatuk #edublogshare

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

Today’s reading. Hadn’t got round to reading it before.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

Wishing everyone the getting A level results the best today. As teachers, it is so easy to personalise results and see them as a reflection of your teaching. The grades are a result of teamwork - student, teacher, parents, departments, school systems, leaders. Team effort.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

I am having a school work day so expect me to spend 90% of the day on social media, 5% on procrastinating, 3% on coffee and snaking making, 1% on deciding on what’s for tea and 1% producing actual work.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

1 year

NEW BLOG: Mock Marking Targets #engchat #engchatuk #edublogshare

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

6 years

As a parent of a disabled child, I am alway conscious of the need to promote a positive image of disability. Today, I witnessed a trampoline lesson for disabled children and it was the best hour of my week and month. Such warmth and kindness of the children, parents and leaders

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

'Tis my birthday so I am taking a break from blogging. Instead, I am going to share some blogs / resources on teaching English Language Paper 2. 1/11

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

NEW BLOG: Consciously crafting controlled and concise writing on a granular level #engchat #engchatuk @CLiC_fiction

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

@MISStery1989 @LibraryLydia I am trapped in the house like I am Mr Bennett. Lydia is mad about boys. Mary is playing music too loud. And Mrs Bennett’s nerves are my constant companion.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

Fashion is a tricky monster. Decided to go for a walk and, accidentally, dressed like a deep sea fisherman.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 years

NEW BLOG: Cohesion in writing: Won’t anybody think about paragraph two? #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

@rupertevelyn (1) Filming lessons (2) Marking work (3) Setting work daily for students (4) Responding to questions students have (5) Supporting parents / answering the emails and helping them with their child’s learning (6) Uploading videos, materials to website (7) Making resources

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

This book is phenomenal! Brilliant CPD for literature texts.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

5 months

Competition time! In the spirit of goodwill, we have all three RTT books to give to one person. Simply RT to enter the competition. One name will be picked out of a hat on 1st Jan. Postage only within the UK. @watercart @SPryke2 @teachals

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

5 years

It is alive. Alive! Got my hands on the first copy of the book. #HTTEnglish

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

8 months

Ready to preorder now. Take the potion from November. Warning: might have side effects. @watercart @teachals @SPryke2

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

7 months

Right teaching world, I see your pastel coloured highlighters and I raise you with my colour coordinated Microsoft folders on OneDrive!

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

I think No More Marking is a game changer. Been really impressed with what it does. Plus, the department have been singing its praises this week. One member referred to it as our very own version of Hegarty Maths.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

Nice article on A Christmas Carol. Adds a bit more context.

The real story behind Charles' Dickens A Christmas Carol

Moral outrage and the need for a hit: Dickens' most festive offering was born of surprising origins - and transformed Christmas in the process

www.penguin.co.uk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

I am thinking that Lord Adonis is going to have an accurate understanding of what the experience of remote learning is like for teachers today. 1: Billions of notifications and messages at any point of the day 2: You say one thing and then you have to say it again for clarity

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

1 year

NEW BLOG: What word is missing? Knowledge retrieval in English is ______________ and it isn’t all about quotations. @Carousel_Learn #Engchat #Engchatuk #Edublogshare

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

Please spare a thought for people with a natural aversion to wearing novelty clothing. Of any kind. Tomorrow, for me, is Christmas jumper day. Cue endless: where’s your jumper, Scrooge? I like Christmas but I struggle with enforced bad fashion.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

7 years

NEW BLOG: Vocabulary Lists - resource #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

3 years

If you are a headteacher, you need to plan for giving the curriculum leader and appropriate teacher a day off timetable, when this call comes to prepare work for a sample. This cannot be done in a free, a lunchtime or after school. Take it from someone who knows.

Schools Week

@SchoolsWeek

3 years

Every school will be asked to provide samples of student work for the quality assurance process after submitting teacher assessment grades for GCSE and A-levels this year, Ofqual has said

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

6 years

I am uncomfortable with the summer six book challenge. Just feels like we are counting down the holiday with a big to do list. Oh, something we do in term time. Read as much or as little as you do. And, only have one item on the to do list: relax.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

2 months

Today’s reading. I genuinely think Maggie O’Farrell is aiming for English teachers with her writing lately. Hope she tackles Tissue next.

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

6 years

NEW BLOG: Exam Hacks: Paper 2 Writing #engchat #engchatuk

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

7 years

NEW BLOG: Poetry Exam Hacks #engchatuk #engchat A quick one as we only have days left

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Chris Curtis

@Xris32

4 years

Been looking at ways to help explore contextual ideas with A Christmas Carol. I think Punch magazine is a goldmine. Here’s how Britain viewed its attitude to the poor in relation to overseas.