Page 14 - link magazine

Shaw Ridge pupils explore social media to boost reading and writing
Matt Oswin, Year 6 teaching assistant at Shaw Ridge School, has began a pioneering new scheme to get children social online and involved in intel-
lectual conversations with people from all over the world.
Last term a new blog by Yew Tree studies Gary Sheffield good to see the com-
Year 6 class was used to ask questions also contributed their ments from Razor Rud-
to engage students and get them ideas. dock. I’m thinking of
thinking around subjects that fit in Matt said: “We talk- starting my own blog.
with their studies. ed about the issues of This school blog has
Once the questions were posted the day together and helped me improve my
on the blog comments were invited framed the question spelling and grammar.”
via Twitter. During the summer term that we wanted to Laura, who posted
they included: ‘How many times put in the blog. Once over 40 comments last
did Wayne Rooney’s heart beat in we received reactions term, said: “I was inter-
the World Cup game against Italy?’, it was an opportunity ested in the questions
‘What punishment should be given for class discussion. about World War I and
to Luis Suarez for biting another The children were went to Wikipedia to
player?’, Could World War I have been encouraged to look at find out more so I could
avoided if the Archduke had not been the comments at home write a reply.
assassinated?’ and involve other “We used DB Primary
To ensure order and appropriate members of the family. New communicators Matt Oswin, Seb, Laura and Poppy for blogging before, but
commentary, blog posts are mod- The idea to get pupils blogging “It also teaches the children about it was more like doing homework. The
erated by Matt. Views have been was a light bulb moment for Matt at writing in different styles for differ- class blog is more open for all to read,
expressed by local people including a school’s IT conference earlier in the ent audiences. They commented that so it’s a lot more real, especially when
school staff, South Swindon MP year. He said: “I’d been blogging for writing for a class teacher was different you get comments and retweets. We
Robert Buckland, Swindon Link a couple of years and a headteacher to writing a piece to be read by people don’t normally watch the news, but
editor Roger Ogle, as well as contro- talked about engaging students in outside school. I find it amazing that the blog helps us find out new things.”
versial columnist Peter Hitchens and writing blogs and commenting on- busy people like a professor of war Poppy added: “I think I’m doing
former Swindon Town player Razor line as a way of improving reading studies and our local MP took time better research because Mr Oswin
Ruddock. and writing skills. It also helps with to contribute their thoughts and ideas encourages us to think about our
Experts such as TV presenter Dan building confidence to take part in to our project.” replies before we make comments.”
Snow, German military historian classroom discussions. It made so Pupil Seb said: “I liked the ques- See: shawridgeyew.primaryblog-
Robert Shaffer and professor of war much sense. tions about the World Cup; it was ger.co.uk or Twitter: @srmrmo

Royal Wootton Bassett Academy

“A global School in a local Community”

Open Evening# 6th Form Open Evening

Wednesday 17th September 2014 Wednesday 15th October 2014
6.00pm—8.30pm
6.00pm—8.30pm
We are delighted to invite any Parents con-
An exceptional opportunity to join an “Outstanding” sidering Royal Wootton Bassett Academy to

School visit during our Open Evening or Parent
Tours. You and your child will have the op-
portunity to look around our outstanding fa-
cilities and talk with the Staff, Students
and the Headteacher.
“Standards of teaching are outstanding in all years”
“Correctly described as a ‘global school in a local
community’, the school has extensive links across
Ofsted Nov 2013 the world and promotes tolerance, and a focus on
Awarded ‘Outstanding’ in enhancing the lives of others”
every Category
For further information on Years 7 to 11, please contact: Karen Hunt or Michele Pocock on
01793 841948/841954
Or email [email protected] or [email protected]
For 6th Form information, please contact: Hilary Stubbs on 01793 841905
Or email [email protected]

14 swindonlink.com • September 2014

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