Classroom Tales

The East’s first ever TeachMeet has been confirmed…

Come along to Norwich on the afternoon of  Saturday 19th June 2010 for a fantastic and inspiring event.

TeachMeets are inspirational  and enjoyable events, where you can learn something new, be amazed, amused and enthused!  For a fuller description of what a TeachMeet is, see my last post.

As with all TeachMeets this event is free to attend.  If you’ve never been to or heard of a TeachMeet before,  I urge you to come along and see what you’ve been missing!   It will be an amazing opportunity to find out about and share real and inspirational ideas that work in the classroom.  TeachMeets are very informal and always great fun.  You will also gain a free goodybag full of free resources to use in the classroom and have the chance to win some great prizes.

What are you waiting for?  Click here to sign up

We’ve decided to run the event on a Saturday afternoon.  We know that very few TeachMeets have run on a saturday before, but due to the ‘spread’ of the East we thought it’d enable as many people to come as possible.   I know giving up a few hours on a Saturday afternoon may not be appealing, but trust me this will be worth it, and it won’t feel like ‘work’!    We will also provide a fantastic buffet lunch and lots of cakes! (sponsorship dependant!)

We’ve also created a ‘Teachmeet Weekender’ and are inviting anyone from around the country to come to TeachMeet East.  [A offer which quite a few people have taken up already ]

We looked at our calendars, and realised that there isn’t an event when all the ‘twitter’ers’ can get together in the ‘summer’ months.  We also realised that there are still lots of people who want to attend a TeachMeet but live somewhere where there isn’t one!   As the event is on a Saturday, it’s the perfect opportunity for people from around the country to come together!  We are also planning a large TeachEat meal and drinks on the Saturday evening after the event (more below). So why not come and make a weekend of it, have a great time and spend a lovely weekend in Norwich/Norfolk? Norwich is a wonderful city to explore and we have the broads and some fantastic coast on our doorstep!

We have negotiated a discounted rate for accommodation at the UEA’s Broadview lodge (although, at the moment, the travelodge and premier inn deals may be cheaper!).  Get in touch if you are interested in accommodation!

After TeachMeet will be TeachEat a great chance to network and generally let your hair down!  We’ll be heading into Norwich for a meal (location TBC) and we are hopeful that some form of contribution towards the meal cost will be provided by a sponsor.  There will also be some form of social activity to fill any gap in between the TeachMeet and TeachEat etc.. more details on the plans for the evening nearer the date!

We also really need people to present at the event. You don’t need to be an expert!  You can choose to present either in a 2 minute nano or 7 minute micro presentation.  The event is informal, so presenting isn’t scary!   Sign up here!

Thanks to Sarah (@missbrownsword) and Alex (@blagona) for helping to organise the event.

We are also on the search for sponsors for the event.  If you are a education company and you are interested in supporting TeachMeet East, please get in touch!   We need both sponsorship  and/or goodies/free resources to give away as well as prizes to use! Thanks to Rising Stars, SumsOnline and connectED for pledging their support already.   Without the kind support of our sponsors TeachMeet simply couldn’t happen!

Just incase you need any more persuading about how great TeachMeets are (!) here are some of my favourite quotes from people who have experienced TeachMeets!

“I learnt more about using ICT in the classroom in 1 hr at TMBecta than from a whole day at the show itself”- @nigel_lord

“Teachmeet as a fantastic way to network and share thoughts. It provides people with new ideas to share with their children”- @ianaddision

“Grassroots, teachers sharing inspiration for free, voluntary, networks, a true window into other people’s classrooms”   @tombarret, Deputy Head in Nottingham and regular TES columnist

Sign up now!

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Fellow PGCE students  TeachMeet East will be a great opportunity to get a ‘fix’ of lots of different things that are happening in classrooms around Norfolk/Suffolk and further afield- something I know we keep saying we want.   Even better, why not have a go at presenting something you’ve done (either 2 min or 7 mins!)- it’ll be a great experience! It’ll also be a good ‘break’ from Placement B!

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