Tuesday, my first Mathematics lecture. I'm pretty certain some people will not be successful teachers, not because they don't know their subject matter, but more because they know too much and seem to have forgotten that they are training to teach CHILDREN.... Proving through trigonometry might be fun, but if you present that to a 5 year old they would laugh, and an 11 year old would be scared from Maths for LIFE. (Little rant over)
I actually really like maths, its always been my strong suit, and I had really great teachers that made it fun. That is my aim for when I teach - to captivate the children's attention, and get them interested in investigating, and just being able to see the real-life applications. After all, how often do you hear adults say 'I never used algebra in real life' but they do without even realising it. And it is this generation of people that put children off the subject as much as those who expect too much/make it too number-y! Maths is FUN. Fact.
This afternoon, we had a lecture about everything we need for our first placement... which is basically a tree's worth of forms to fill in and read and understand and process and edit and print and sign. It basically means I have even more things to do (like another 20 things on my to do list) and less time than I thought to write my essay!
One good thing though, some of my books arrived today! Whoop. Textbooks to help me!
Best be off to do all my jobs!
S x
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Monday, 24 September 2012
24.09.2012: Reading, Poetry and Twister
Today has been another really lovely day - first day of my lift share (which made the journey go SO much quicker) AND, after we got to class we had to do an observation session.... which involved playing with children's toys :) I observed first - the rest of the group played with brio trains, and then it was my turn to play... and we played Twister! Which is the best game ever. Fact. And finally, we made a jigsaw puzzle (which is harder than it seems when there are four of you making it!)
This afternoon, we had a talk (well performance) from Tony Mitton - a childrens poet and picture book writer. He is a really lovely man, and his poems are really good - for all ages, Early Years right through to Secondary. If you are studying Early Years definitely check out his picture books, and some of his re-telling of classic stories (generally in poem form) as they are a great way to get children into the idea of rhyme with a story that they will generally know. If you are interested, check out his website at: tonymitton.co.uk
So that brings me to know, I have a lovely collection of books to read - mainly Harry Potter at the moment, but also The Diary of Anne Frank and Gangsta Granny by David Walliams. But first, I need to read a lot of text books/journals for my essay (oh yes, I still haven't actually started it)
Have a great night,
S x
This afternoon, we had a talk (well performance) from Tony Mitton - a childrens poet and picture book writer. He is a really lovely man, and his poems are really good - for all ages, Early Years right through to Secondary. If you are studying Early Years definitely check out his picture books, and some of his re-telling of classic stories (generally in poem form) as they are a great way to get children into the idea of rhyme with a story that they will generally know. If you are interested, check out his website at: tonymitton.co.uk
So that brings me to know, I have a lovely collection of books to read - mainly Harry Potter at the moment, but also The Diary of Anne Frank and Gangsta Granny by David Walliams. But first, I need to read a lot of text books/journals for my essay (oh yes, I still haven't actually started it)
Have a great night,
S x
Sunday, 23 September 2012
23.09.2012: Grey Day, Grey Mood
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
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
Saturday, 22 September 2012
22.09.2012: No rest for the wicked. Or trainee teachers.
It is the weekend, and I get no time to rest. 18 things on the to do list, I hope for at least 10 to be completed by tonight... But lets all hope for more!
English subject knowledge test and Audit. Nothing will ever fill me with more dread in my entire life than those words. I actually feel physically panicked at the thought of having to complete them again!
So, after a day of sitting and typing, I have achieved nothing at all on my essay, but I have done a lot of other things! There are 10 things left on my list, so I achieved my goal, but I could have done more.... If the links I needed had worked (connected to the right thing or actually allowed me to download my documents!) For the rest of the night I shall be doing my background reading for my essay in the hope that I will digest it all in my sleep and be more than prepared to write it all tomorrow. It is a short essay - only 2000 words, which is good in some ways - I should be able to write it in a day (like tomorrow) but such a short essay does mean I am likely to spend a long time chopping bits out....
Today I have also invested in some books - some being the operative word as I can't afford them all!! Student loans wrote to me today to say I need to send back another form and then they will think about sending me my money, so fingers crossed that gets sorted for next week! I would recommend buying your books prior to the start of your course unlike me, because its amazing how quick the essay has come along (that is our first essay was given to us on day two of the course...) I think my library card will take a beating this year as I have to create a reading journal for English also - full of children's books for all ages. I hope to have at least 100 books read and reviewed for their learning potential by the end of the year.
I'm off to carry on with my reading... well if CamTools lets me log back in so I can link to the articles...
Have a nice evening - I am celebrating this long, tiring, exciting week (plus getting my degree results) with a Chinese Takeaway :)
S x
English subject knowledge test and Audit. Nothing will ever fill me with more dread in my entire life than those words. I actually feel physically panicked at the thought of having to complete them again!
So, after a day of sitting and typing, I have achieved nothing at all on my essay, but I have done a lot of other things! There are 10 things left on my list, so I achieved my goal, but I could have done more.... If the links I needed had worked (connected to the right thing or actually allowed me to download my documents!) For the rest of the night I shall be doing my background reading for my essay in the hope that I will digest it all in my sleep and be more than prepared to write it all tomorrow. It is a short essay - only 2000 words, which is good in some ways - I should be able to write it in a day (like tomorrow) but such a short essay does mean I am likely to spend a long time chopping bits out....
Today I have also invested in some books - some being the operative word as I can't afford them all!! Student loans wrote to me today to say I need to send back another form and then they will think about sending me my money, so fingers crossed that gets sorted for next week! I would recommend buying your books prior to the start of your course unlike me, because its amazing how quick the essay has come along (that is our first essay was given to us on day two of the course...) I think my library card will take a beating this year as I have to create a reading journal for English also - full of children's books for all ages. I hope to have at least 100 books read and reviewed for their learning potential by the end of the year.
I'm off to carry on with my reading... well if CamTools lets me log back in so I can link to the articles...
Have a nice evening - I am celebrating this long, tiring, exciting week (plus getting my degree results) with a Chinese Takeaway :)
S x
21.09.2012: First Week Complete!
SO, it has been a long week, but I have loved every second of it!
Today, was (as Friday always will be, English day) I should probably explain now that English and Foreign Languages were my least favourite subjects at school, so the idea of a day of English fills me with dread. Saying this, I wasn't bad at them, in my GCSE English Literature and Language (and French for that matter) I got an A in each, so I know I am not particularly bad, I just don't enjoy it (in the same way that pretty much all my course mates seem to dislike Maths) But, it was all about the kids literature, so that makes me very happy!
I have to read children's books, so hello excuse to read the Hunger Games again, and Harry Potter, Famous Five, Charlie and Lola, Jolly Postman, Biff and Chip, and the rest! I am basically re-visiting my childhood (and teenage years, and my adulthood so far)
So, now I am off to read some story books. And write an essay.And read some uni texts. And write a journal. And takes a practice test. And update my CV. And fill out some paperwork. And you get the idea.
There is a lot to do, but its one week in, and I figure if I can cope with this week I shall be able to cope with the rest of the year.... Fingers crossed!
S x
Today, was (as Friday always will be, English day) I should probably explain now that English and Foreign Languages were my least favourite subjects at school, so the idea of a day of English fills me with dread. Saying this, I wasn't bad at them, in my GCSE English Literature and Language (and French for that matter) I got an A in each, so I know I am not particularly bad, I just don't enjoy it (in the same way that pretty much all my course mates seem to dislike Maths) But, it was all about the kids literature, so that makes me very happy!
I have to read children's books, so hello excuse to read the Hunger Games again, and Harry Potter, Famous Five, Charlie and Lola, Jolly Postman, Biff and Chip, and the rest! I am basically re-visiting my childhood (and teenage years, and my adulthood so far)
So, now I am off to read some story books. And write an essay.And read some uni texts. And write a journal. And takes a practice test. And update my CV. And fill out some paperwork. And you get the idea.
There is a lot to do, but its one week in, and I figure if I can cope with this week I shall be able to cope with the rest of the year.... Fingers crossed!
S x
Thursday, 20 September 2012
20.09.2012: Health and Safety
This morning I left with plenty of time - and hour and 45 to travel 37 miles... even in rush hour that should be an easy drive. But three miles out, I hit the stand still. It took me nearly 40 mins to do the last 3 miles, which is a slower speed than I walk. Oh well, luckily I had made good time on the rest of the journey and was still in on time :)
Today, I feel like I have been talked to a lot! Mainly because my one interactive session was first thing, and then I had health and safety and ICT in the classroom lectures. Both of which were about similar things.
Health and Safety now officially covers safeguarding of children - so risk assessments as well as dealing with bullying and abuse. And ICT was much about e-safety - keeping your life as a teacher private, and how to cope with the restrictive firewalls in the classroom.
I have 9 things to complete/start tonight. A couple will be really quick (I just need to put a form in my bag for example) but other will take slightly longer (like reading, and essay writing). But no-one said this year would be easy. And it already isn't! Still, I wouldn't change career just because of the work, I wouldn't change career for anything.
S x
Today, I feel like I have been talked to a lot! Mainly because my one interactive session was first thing, and then I had health and safety and ICT in the classroom lectures. Both of which were about similar things.
Health and Safety now officially covers safeguarding of children - so risk assessments as well as dealing with bullying and abuse. And ICT was much about e-safety - keeping your life as a teacher private, and how to cope with the restrictive firewalls in the classroom.
I have 9 things to complete/start tonight. A couple will be really quick (I just need to put a form in my bag for example) but other will take slightly longer (like reading, and essay writing). But no-one said this year would be easy. And it already isn't! Still, I wouldn't change career just because of the work, I wouldn't change career for anything.
S x
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
19.09.2012: A day of initials
- P.E.
- I.C.T.
- D.T.
Today was a fabulous day!
P.E. we basically played with different equipment - balls, hoops, skipping ropes, bats and rackets and cones. And learnt some starter games (cups and saucers, the bean game) and crowd control (splitting teams before hand - fair ways and non-popularity ways as well as ways to get children understanding that even though they are running around and excitable;e, you are still in control.)
I.C.T. was mainly to teach us how to use the file sharing/email/course system. Its a subject that fills me with dread because I just don't understand computers! But I'm getting there!
D.T. was about making pop-up and lever movement systems out of card, which was fun as I did this with a class last year, so I know how children get on with it (well, at least I know how those children did)
Now, I have homework to do, so I'll speak to you tomorrow.
S x
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