Weekword-Lesson

I wanted to say something lofty and intelligent about this week's word. As a teacher I thought I should be some sort of expert on it. The more I think though, the less I know what to write!

I don't teach 'lessons' as such-apart from things like my phonics sessions. I plan based on the children's current interests, and am very flexible in my approach. Learning only happens if children-or people for that matter-feel relaxed so their brain can work to absorb things. So, promoting children's well-being and self-esteem comes top of my list. That is done through building genuine relationships with them, which is done by being a human being! So-my best lesson is in being human! Trying to be a decent person, but one who can admit to mistakes or wrong doing and use those experiences to learn. So, my next lesson is about learning to be wrong. This is where my brain starts to hurt at the many different interpretations of 'lesson'. Surely lessons are about learning to be right?! My third important lesson is linked to the first two, and is about respecting and valuing the children as equals-yes I know that I have more experience etc but in importance we are equal. I can't speak for other teachers but I hope they feel the same. So that one is about lack of ego. So, be human, be wrong happily and be humble! Enough of the philosophizing as I am tired! Visit Alexandra for more interpretations of 'lesson'

These images are all from here-a great site full of lovely vintage pictures. The first is to represent being human, the second looks like someone who could easily be wrong happily and some of the characters in number three look very humble.

Weekword-Hole

A few sketches of holes.

When I read the word of the week, chosen by Linda Sue, lots of things came to mind. There are lots of phrases and sayings with the word hole in them and when looking for more I found this lovely one.

"When the mouse laughs at the cat there's a hole nearby."

This morning, I thought about some stories from my life, all linked to holes.

Story Number One. My Story.

Once upon a time, a young and inexperienced teacher took a group of children on a trip. The trip was to a beautiful place, with ancient Roman ruins, a river, woods and animals. The trip did not go well, and one particular incident will always stick in her memory. The day was very hot, and, while killing the last half hour of the wait for the coach to come and take her away from all this, the teacher foolishly let the children play football in the car park. The car park which was next to the river. The ball of course ended up in the water and, before she could stop them, and, encouraged by a very unhelpful parent, five of the children ( five of the boys) were in the river, under the bridge, after the ball. Having completely lost control, the teacher could only watch helplessly as the boys (and the parent) narrowed the gap with the ball. "At least", she thought, "the river is shallow so there is not any real danger." Just at that moment, one of the boys, Danny, sunk, up to his neck in the river! He was hauled out by the parent. Shortly after that, the teacher and the bedraggled class boarded the bus with the very cross and disapproving driver. This tale took place in the days before risk assessments and, apparently, health and safety.

For weeks afterwards Danny would ask the teacher, "Miss, what is a world pool"(and I stress-he always said 'world'). The teacher would answer, "It was not a whirlpool Danny, it was a hole."

Story number two. Andy's Story.

This story takes place in a factory producing biscuits. We had just left college and were working in said biscuit factory. My job was to pack the biscuits, and the title of my job, not surprisingly, was 'biscuit packer'. I was good at this job, though it did grate after 10 months.

Andy worked 'upstairs'. His job was to tip the flour down a great big hole in the floor. He was called a 'tipper'. He used to appear in the canteen each night, completely covered in flour. He was a bit of a messy tipper.

One night, a cry went up in the tipping department, from one fellow tipper to another:

"Derek, Andy's fallen down the 'ole!" Indeed he had. He luckily didn't end up incorporated into a biscuit, but he did end up with the most enormous bruise I have ever seen!

Story number three. My brother's story

My brother had just bought a house in the depths of the Kent countryside. A very tiny house with a big and overgrown garden. He spent a long time clearing the brambles and nettles, and one day came upon a deep hole, which he was lucky not to have fallen into. It was an old well which he had not known was there. Something had fallen into the hole a long time ago-some kind of explosive device from the second world war! I can't be more exact than that as I can't quite remember. When I next see him I will get my facts straight.

The army came and removed it and, I presume, blew it up at a safe distance.

A small string of holey stones-traditionally supposed to ward off witches, and evil spirits in general. I just quite like them hanging there.
A dish containing more holey flints and a leg. Like something out of a horror film.Hope you enjoyed my holey stories. I enjoyed remembering them, even the horrendous trip! I am going to visit other week word participants now. Linda Sue has the list!
P.S. lovely website of beach found art
Holey stone sites 1 , 2 , 3

Weekword - Browse

This week Anne chose the word browse to inspire weekword participants. Visit Anne for a list of other weekworders.

First I have to confess I forgot I was a participant-busy week, going away tomorrow, etc, etc. So I had a think and decided on the supply teacher's friend-the acrostic poem. If you are a supply teacher you will know what I mean, if not you will probably be able to guess!

Anyway, I spent my coffee time when I got home composing two poems on the subject of browsing. Thank goodness poetry is not my profession. I have also included a few photos of some of my favourite types of browsing-book shops, second hand markets and interesting arty shops-this one is in Hastings. I am actually a bad browser because more often than not, I turn into a buyer!

Tomorrow is the Mad Hatter's Tea Party, hosted by Candace in Athens. If you want to join in mad hat fun there is still time-just pop over and let her know! I will be back later with my tea party post-a little early as I am off at the crack of dawn tomorrow on a short half term break. See you later!

Weekword

Visit Valentina to see the other weekword participants!

Weekword-Time

Anairam invited me to take part in weekword this week. Each week one of the participants chooses a word and this is illustrated in some way by the others-a photo, drawing, story, object-however their imaginations work. Have a look at a couple of examples here and here... This week Anairam chose the word 'time'. This is my interpretation-a scale showing the relationship between time and ideas-you can see what has happened! Time is a lightweight!

I also thought about not throwing time away, and took a few photos of some old watches bought at the scary Deptford market to illustrate this. I really like these watches but have not managed to use them in any way yet-well, apart from these photos.