A short blog today about trying things new. The "rum flavoured beer" I've just downed was lovely. Saw it and thought, "Why not?" Result! For a change, we have a music channel on the TV - and our two year old is going nuts having a boogie to it. No Peppa. No Sam. No Shaun. Result! And I've just survived my third week as ADHT and the school is coping with the change. Result! What have you tried for the first time and enjoyed?
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A huge "Thank you" to the science department at Bishop Luffa who welcomed my Year 5s this afternoon and made rockets with them. Paper, straw / air propelled rockets and foam, elastic band-powered projectiles. Tearing through biology labs as the rain came down outside. They learnt about forces, aerodynamics and, most importantly, that PHYSICS IS FUN! Some also learnt that of they are going to attach find to a rocket, it makes a difference which end to put them on! The session ended with a large plastic bottle having some alcohol swilled round the inside of it, being poured out, and then the fumes lit with a long taper. Whoosh! Gasps of awe. Big grins. Our cue to leave - quit whilst your ahead! The children learnt loads, had bags of fun and left with grins on their faces. Question: how would I have topped that? My class and I are learning about space. It's pretty big, and there is lots to learn! One of the things we have done is written letters to British astronaut, Major Tim Peake. He is a local lad (well, he used to be) who went to my school at the same time I did. (It's been a challenge to write that without it sounding like we were childhood chums at the same school - although I did know him one way and another.) The children wrote these letters in December and they were passed on to him through his family. Then, suddenly, Tim appeared on the BBC! He is going into space in November 2015 and is promoting this through a series of interviews and competitions. What a coup to get him in. Well, with his training schedule and travelling, we couldn't. But we were today visited by his father. Mr Peake (senior) was charming, articulate, knowledgable, self-deprecating and amusing. He spoke to the children, rather than down to them. He engaged an enthralled us all, if I'm honest. He listened to a barrage of questions and answered every one. In fact, I had to throw the children out at the end of the day as they were just asking questions and were desperate for more information. I don't think that people say, "If you can't get them, then get their parents!" - but after today, they should! Today's question: what would YOU ask the father of Britain's first official astronaut? Many of you who are parents, grandparents, teachers or (heaven forbid they would read a blog!) actually children, will know that Monday is the start of SATs week. Obviously, our thoughts are with these young learners and we wish them well. Just, please, spare a thought for the teachers. They have given it everything to prepare the pupils for their tests. They will prime them, prep them and offer words of encouragement right up to the start and offer praise, kind words and hope after the event. They also have to oversee the tests, which is not as much fun as it sounds. And it doesn't sound much fun! They have to cover the display boards (that have been designed and created over hours) and live in fear of being "spot-checked" and found to be doing something "wrong" or improper! The horror! And the nervousness of pacing around the hall as the children work independently without you...? People have mixed feelings about this. Today's question: what are you thinking about when the children are working and don't need (or aren't allowed!) your help or input? A bank holiday Monday that doesn't fall in any of the school holidays? And nice weather? Result! I know there is talk afoot to love bank holidays, allow Headteachers freedom to restructure the school year so that we don't have to have six weeks off in one hit (I pray we don't race towards that too soon within my LEA!), but for now, please let me enjoy a bonus day of not being at school - rather being with my family - before we dive back in to school tomorrow and hurtle at break neck speed towards the end of this academic year. September drags. Then it's Christmas. Then suddenly it's the summer holidays! Bring it on. But being it on tomorrow. Today's question: if they swap a bank holiday, which one would you swap and until when? Am here at the cinema at 09:48 in the morning waiting for Movies for Juniors to start. A movie for £1.50 each? Brilliant! So the title - switching off? Well, obviously, once the programme starts at 10:05 the smart phone will be put away. No. It's the urge as a teacher / parent / human being to turn round and tell the annoying little (choose your own adjective or noun or combination to go here) to sit down, stop screaming and running around and annoying the rest of the patrons. Their own parents are being spectacularly ineffective and my urge to roar is barely contained. I need to switch if off. Not the phone. Not yet. Venting in this forum helps. A little. When have you last had to "turn it off"? Bank holiday weekends? The weather is awful. Always is. The forecast was rotten for today... However, the sun has been shining and I'm sure birds have been tweeting... How terrible, I hear you mutter. Well, spare a thought for the Year 6s who thought that they had a long wet weekend to do a final cram for the SATs, and now are sitting under parental supervision glancing up from their textbooks enviously at siblings enjoying the weather. It could be worse. You could have SATs to revise for and bad weather to contend with. Today's question; what would you rather be doing than studying for exams? I know, I know. All were worried, but being a man with an iron constitution - and a stubborn streak a mile wide - I was back at the office today. A little unsteady but gave it my all. Unlike most "reality shows" this was only 100%. What is it about being a teacher that makes us think that the school won't cope without us for one day whilst we get better? It will. The kids will be fine. The world will keep on turning. But still... Well, I need to turn in and get better, so I level you with this: What is it about being a teacher that makes us think that the school won't cope without us for one day whilst we get better? The last time I felt this sick, I was two miles into the 2013 London Marathon. It wasn't pretty, but I finished in a scooch over 6hours 47minutes. Today's came on equally as suddenly, but finished teaching the lesson, and executed a few more duties (huge thanks to my rounders club who let me find an alternative to running around outside as the rain was lingering and I was feeling wobbly!) before getting home. I ask: when did illness last strike you during the day and how do you stop feeling so awful? (Determined to blog every day. Now I can sleep.) |