Today, is Sunday. Today it is raining. Today I feel down (and possibly a bit ill)
Basically I had the worst nights sleep. I think I clocked up about two, maybe as much as three hours. So I am generally feeling a bit tired, both physically and mentally. I'm trying to do my background reading for my first essay, but nothing is going in. Literally nothing at all.
This happens to everyone right?!? I assume so, but I didn't think this early on! Maybe it's my body rebelling at the early mornings, or just my body releasing the stress of the past few months. It is going to be an early night - possibly as early as 4pm if I carry on feeling like this. Its not even 3pm and I'm wrapped up in PJs and a blanket, with woolly socks and a hot chocolate.
Right, so tip of the week: Keep on top of everything. Make sure your notes are kept in order and get things done as soon as you can - because if you leave it and can't download it later you will kick yourself.
S x
Showing posts with label Questions and Theories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Questions and Theories. Show all posts
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
17.09.2012: Slightly late....
First day, lots of paperwork and introduction meetings. Why all of this couldn't have been done on enrolment or enrolment done today is beyond me.
I arrived more than early - I had to be in at 10, but I was doing a Monday morning traffic practice as I normally have to be in for 9am so hit all the rush hour traffic... But, I made it to the University building for 8.50, so I'm pretty certain that it's not as bad as I first thought. But maybe I am naive.
My timetable seems rather nice, Friday afternoons off for the most part and the occasional late start. And so many placements :) There are some really lovely people on the course, and a few that I'm not sure will make good teachers - possibly because they spent their entire first day trying to speak in 'big' words - and I wanted to yell at them and mention that they are training to become PRIMARY school teachers, and there are NO children that will understand. AT ALL. But again, maybe that's just my belief? I've always been one to think you shouldn't talk down to children, but that still means that you have to modify your language to use words that they will understand.
Well, I started my homework last night - one piece completed, one piece planned out of two. And I fear there will be more tonight.
But, right now, I have to head off to Cambridge on my two hour morning drive...
S x
I arrived more than early - I had to be in at 10, but I was doing a Monday morning traffic practice as I normally have to be in for 9am so hit all the rush hour traffic... But, I made it to the University building for 8.50, so I'm pretty certain that it's not as bad as I first thought. But maybe I am naive.
My timetable seems rather nice, Friday afternoons off for the most part and the occasional late start. And so many placements :) There are some really lovely people on the course, and a few that I'm not sure will make good teachers - possibly because they spent their entire first day trying to speak in 'big' words - and I wanted to yell at them and mention that they are training to become PRIMARY school teachers, and there are NO children that will understand. AT ALL. But again, maybe that's just my belief? I've always been one to think you shouldn't talk down to children, but that still means that you have to modify your language to use words that they will understand.
Well, I started my homework last night - one piece completed, one piece planned out of two. And I fear there will be more tonight.
But, right now, I have to head off to Cambridge on my two hour morning drive...
S x
Thursday, 13 September 2012
13.09.2012: Day Four
Exhaustion hit in today. It's my own fault, I'm still jet lagged as we flew home from the States on Sunday, and I was basically straight in without any sleep on Monday. But it caught up with me today.
So, baring in mind I was (and am now, so apologies for spelling mistakes/crazy ramblings) shattered, I had a really good day. I was in with Year 3 today - it was an odd mixture of kids. There were two which melted me immediately, 4 or 5 which were either naughty or didn't want to be there and most of the rest were pretty much invisible. Not that they were quiet, but that they made pretty much no impression on me - you could put them in a line up and I wouldn't have a clue who I was looking for.
It was the first class I've been in where the teacher habitually wears jeans to teach in, and my suspicions were confirmed that behaviour would e worse (although I admit its not really a fair test as I was there for one day and that could have just been an off day. It also could be to do with the specific set of children and their own idiosyncrasies and it could have been because a lot of them were not English as a first language. But I think I will always maintain that casual dress in a school should be reserved only for 'mufti' days.
Today consisted of literacy, numeracy and IPC (I actually have no idea what that stands for....) In literacy, we were studying instructions, and I go to help teaching the lesson about note taking in order to get the instructions down quickly. Numeracy was about 'moving on by x' - so moving on by 2 or 10 from a given number and trying to spot patterns. And IPC was about 'the brain' and what it helps us to do.
Last day on this placement tomorrow, so I need to get everything signed and sorted and then I can head home for my one days break before I begin my actual PGCE!
Night, S x
So, baring in mind I was (and am now, so apologies for spelling mistakes/crazy ramblings) shattered, I had a really good day. I was in with Year 3 today - it was an odd mixture of kids. There were two which melted me immediately, 4 or 5 which were either naughty or didn't want to be there and most of the rest were pretty much invisible. Not that they were quiet, but that they made pretty much no impression on me - you could put them in a line up and I wouldn't have a clue who I was looking for.
It was the first class I've been in where the teacher habitually wears jeans to teach in, and my suspicions were confirmed that behaviour would e worse (although I admit its not really a fair test as I was there for one day and that could have just been an off day. It also could be to do with the specific set of children and their own idiosyncrasies and it could have been because a lot of them were not English as a first language. But I think I will always maintain that casual dress in a school should be reserved only for 'mufti' days.
Today consisted of literacy, numeracy and IPC (I actually have no idea what that stands for....) In literacy, we were studying instructions, and I go to help teaching the lesson about note taking in order to get the instructions down quickly. Numeracy was about 'moving on by x' - so moving on by 2 or 10 from a given number and trying to spot patterns. And IPC was about 'the brain' and what it helps us to do.
Last day on this placement tomorrow, so I need to get everything signed and sorted and then I can head home for my one days break before I begin my actual PGCE!
Night, S x
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
12.09.2012: Day Three
Today... I look back at it and it seems like nothing, but I know the kids (and adults) didn't stop all day. Basically, the class did literacy (phonics, reading and writing) for the entire morning and then PSHE (or whatever it is now called) for the afternoon. And I am exhausted.
I realised how much I don't like people - especially arrogant, self-centred, rude people who for some reason have decided to enter this profession. The children on the other-hand are still really cute despite their teachers...
One other thing I noticed was that at year 5 level, the children are still only writing in pencil in their books. In the school I've been working in for the past two years they write in pen by the end of year two... It may just be the way the school is, but I personally feel kids should be able to (and trusted to) use a pen by the age of 10. I would love to know if this is a general norm and my school is the unusual one, or if this is the oddity?
Quick one again, as I have a million notes to write up and I want to sleep. And eat chocolate.
S x
I realised how much I don't like people - especially arrogant, self-centred, rude people who for some reason have decided to enter this profession. The children on the other-hand are still really cute despite their teachers...
One other thing I noticed was that at year 5 level, the children are still only writing in pencil in their books. In the school I've been working in for the past two years they write in pen by the end of year two... It may just be the way the school is, but I personally feel kids should be able to (and trusted to) use a pen by the age of 10. I would love to know if this is a general norm and my school is the unusual one, or if this is the oddity?
Quick one again, as I have a million notes to write up and I want to sleep. And eat chocolate.
S x
Monday, 10 September 2012
10.09.2012: Day One
Day one.... early start. Left for the school at 6.50am in order to get into the school and print the days resources. So naturally, the entire computer system was down and no printing could occur. Cue: much irritation, stress and flapping. I guess Lesson one occurred there, always print off your resources at least a day before, but ideally more!
Once the day began I spent it with a Year 5 class, 9-10years old. City kids, with attitude. But to be honest, they were still pretty sweet. It was odd really, because they were less mature than I imagined - possibly because I've been working in a lower school, so the top year is Year 4.... and they seem to mature quicker because they are the top of the school sooner (but don't get the school change at year 6, so stay sweet in the 'middle' phase for longer). <-- Not sure what to do when you end a sentence with a bracket.... guess I should swat up on my punctuation rules sooner rather than later.
Anyhow, they class, like any primary school class, has the higher, middling and lower abilities, and are excitable (in the most part) and want to learn. Unlike some of the other classes in the school, the children all speak English (although still not as a first language for some - but ultimately, they speak English really well) and are clearly very bright children. It's going to be interesting seeing how they progress throughout the year, because they all seem in need of 'finding their place' in the class (despite being in the same form group since receptions from what I understand) but then I guess this is about the time that they begin to really come into their personalities.
One thing I did find thoroughly strange was that teachers are allowed to wear jeans in class - all the schools I have been in have required smart/office dress, with the only exception being for non-uniform days, trips (depending on where) and p.e. lessons. I'm looking forward to seeing if the dress of the teachers does have an affect on the children's behaviour (also need to brush up on affect and effect... I probably chose the wrong one there!) I think a more relaxed dress code for the teachers might have a negative impact on learning, purely because there is less of a definitive 'I am in charge and this is where we learn' without a dress code. Teachers become more like Mum or a friend that just happens to be looking after you. But thats just speculation for now. We shall see where I am tomorrow and take it from there!
S x
Once the day began I spent it with a Year 5 class, 9-10years old. City kids, with attitude. But to be honest, they were still pretty sweet. It was odd really, because they were less mature than I imagined - possibly because I've been working in a lower school, so the top year is Year 4.... and they seem to mature quicker because they are the top of the school sooner (but don't get the school change at year 6, so stay sweet in the 'middle' phase for longer). <-- Not sure what to do when you end a sentence with a bracket.... guess I should swat up on my punctuation rules sooner rather than later.
Anyhow, they class, like any primary school class, has the higher, middling and lower abilities, and are excitable (in the most part) and want to learn. Unlike some of the other classes in the school, the children all speak English (although still not as a first language for some - but ultimately, they speak English really well) and are clearly very bright children. It's going to be interesting seeing how they progress throughout the year, because they all seem in need of 'finding their place' in the class (despite being in the same form group since receptions from what I understand) but then I guess this is about the time that they begin to really come into their personalities.
One thing I did find thoroughly strange was that teachers are allowed to wear jeans in class - all the schools I have been in have required smart/office dress, with the only exception being for non-uniform days, trips (depending on where) and p.e. lessons. I'm looking forward to seeing if the dress of the teachers does have an affect on the children's behaviour (also need to brush up on affect and effect... I probably chose the wrong one there!) I think a more relaxed dress code for the teachers might have a negative impact on learning, purely because there is less of a definitive 'I am in charge and this is where we learn' without a dress code. Teachers become more like Mum or a friend that just happens to be looking after you. But thats just speculation for now. We shall see where I am tomorrow and take it from there!
S x
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