Day 6 - The book I always give as a gift
There are two books that I have repurchased to give to other people. One is 'Encyclopedia Of An Ordinary Life' by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, the other is 'Brothers' by Bernice Rubens.
I currently own neither of them myself.
My copy of EOAOL was leant to an (ex) internet friend, who never returned it. Hence now why "ex".
'Brothers' was a library book originally... But I ended up buying a copy to give to my sister.
Both books were originally read when I was about 17-20 years old. And perhaps there is something in that, because I guess that's a very impressionable age. But those 2 have stuck with me all these years as books that blew my mind.
Another in that category is 'The Red Tent' by Anita Diamant. I am on my 2nd copy of it, and that one is falling apart. I keep meaning to replace it.
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In another topic of conversation... At school today, I had my camera out to take some photos of some kids work. Then I stood it on the side as I readied the children for the next activity, and put it on to video record...
I am just out of frame (you can just see my knee) throughout the 4 minute recording. But what is there is so interesting. I hate my voice on it (doesn't everyone?!), but it's interesting to hear what I say without really thinking about it. And it's fascinating to watch the children's faces as they interact with the game of 'Simon Says' I start up. I should record these daily snippets more often!
It's an insight you don't get whilst involved in the middle of the action!
Friday, 6 June 2014
Thursday, 5 June 2014
#Bookaday - Day 6
Day 5 - Book doesn't belong to me.
My books on my bookcase all belong to me... There is one possible exception though. Last week I acquired a book called 'Lost Horizon' by James Hilton. Mum passed it on for me to read. We often have very similar tastes in books, so whatever she likes, I tend to like - and vice versa.
I've never heard of this book, or it's author. So it is currently at the end of the very long "yet to read" pile I have! Luckily, the summer holiday is approaching, and I tend to make a good dent in the pile then. :)
My books on my bookcase all belong to me... There is one possible exception though. Last week I acquired a book called 'Lost Horizon' by James Hilton. Mum passed it on for me to read. We often have very similar tastes in books, so whatever she likes, I tend to like - and vice versa.
I've never heard of this book, or it's author. So it is currently at the end of the very long "yet to read" pile I have! Luckily, the summer holiday is approaching, and I tend to make a good dent in the pile then. :)
Wednesday, 4 June 2014
#Bookaday - Day 4
Day 4 - Least favourite book by a favourite author
This one is very difficult... Let's choose least favourite from the Harry Potter series! Hmmm... 'Chamber of Secrets' is probably my least favourite. It's still good though. ;)
This one is very difficult... Let's choose least favourite from the Harry Potter series! Hmmm... 'Chamber of Secrets' is probably my least favourite. It's still good though. ;)
Tuesday, 3 June 2014
#Bookaday - Day 3
Day 3 - One with a blue cover
The first one my eye fell of was Stephen King's 'Misery'. Which I haven't got around to reading yet. Fail.
The only other mostly blue covered book is Dan Brown's 'Angels And Demons'. A book which I loved! People make fun of Dan Brown, but he's sold many millions of books, and made many millions of pounds. Which isn't to be sniffed at. Yes, they are no literary masterpiece, and funny how the lead female is always an insanely attractive foreigner. Apparently the Robert Langdon character won't work with average-looking women... Jerk.
'Angels And Demons' is probably my favourite of his books to date, and the book is much better than the film. And his latest book 'Inferno' was only really okay. It picked up towards the end, but the first third was very clunky. Like he'd done a tremendous amount of research, and he was going to get it into the final book, whether it made sense of not.
The first one my eye fell of was Stephen King's 'Misery'. Which I haven't got around to reading yet. Fail.
The only other mostly blue covered book is Dan Brown's 'Angels And Demons'. A book which I loved! People make fun of Dan Brown, but he's sold many millions of books, and made many millions of pounds. Which isn't to be sniffed at. Yes, they are no literary masterpiece, and funny how the lead female is always an insanely attractive foreigner. Apparently the Robert Langdon character won't work with average-looking women... Jerk.
'Angels And Demons' is probably my favourite of his books to date, and the book is much better than the film. And his latest book 'Inferno' was only really okay. It picked up towards the end, but the first third was very clunky. Like he'd done a tremendous amount of research, and he was going to get it into the final book, whether it made sense of not.
Monday, 2 June 2014
#Bookaday - Day 1 & 2
Eh.
Forgot that I was going to do #Bookaday this month... In essence, it is a chance for book lovers to share old favourites, new favourites and general book-related things.
Day 1 - Favourite book from childhood.
Well... If we go riiiiiiight back, I guess it was 'My Day' by Lynne Bradbury. It is a toddler book by Ladybird, which documents a day in the life of a baby. It is all terrible white middle-class in the 70s, so is terribly dated and non-PC now. But I loved it as a baby.
As a slightly older child, I loved the 'Alfie and Annie Rose' stories by Shirley Hughes. They told the story of Alfie, who is about 4 or 5, and his toddler sister, Annie Rose. Lovely, gentle stories, with beautiful illustrations. I also loved 'Dogger' by the same author and 'Burglar Bill' by Janet and Allan Alhberg.
Getting even older, I enjoyed all the Roald Dahl books immensely. 'Matilda' and 'The Witches' were probably my 2 favourites. I also liked 'The Famous Five' and The 'Malory Towers/St Clares' school stories by Enid Blyton.
Basically, picking a childhood favourite is too hard. Tastes change so much during childhood, that to pin down one is very tricky!
Day 2 - Best Bargain.
A few years ago now, on LiveJournal I believe. I happened to mention that I loved the James Herriot series of vet stories, but was sad that I didn't have my own copies. Then the lovely Zoe piped up that she had them, had no interest in keeping them any longer, and would I like them? YES!
I now have the complete James Herriot collection on my bookshelf. A series that I love, that are great at cheering me up if I feel a bit under the weather, and all for free! Thank you Zoe!
Forgot that I was going to do #Bookaday this month... In essence, it is a chance for book lovers to share old favourites, new favourites and general book-related things.
Day 1 - Favourite book from childhood.
Well... If we go riiiiiiight back, I guess it was 'My Day' by Lynne Bradbury. It is a toddler book by Ladybird, which documents a day in the life of a baby. It is all terrible white middle-class in the 70s, so is terribly dated and non-PC now. But I loved it as a baby.
As a slightly older child, I loved the 'Alfie and Annie Rose' stories by Shirley Hughes. They told the story of Alfie, who is about 4 or 5, and his toddler sister, Annie Rose. Lovely, gentle stories, with beautiful illustrations. I also loved 'Dogger' by the same author and 'Burglar Bill' by Janet and Allan Alhberg.
Getting even older, I enjoyed all the Roald Dahl books immensely. 'Matilda' and 'The Witches' were probably my 2 favourites. I also liked 'The Famous Five' and The 'Malory Towers/St Clares' school stories by Enid Blyton.
Basically, picking a childhood favourite is too hard. Tastes change so much during childhood, that to pin down one is very tricky!
Day 2 - Best Bargain.
A few years ago now, on LiveJournal I believe. I happened to mention that I loved the James Herriot series of vet stories, but was sad that I didn't have my own copies. Then the lovely Zoe piped up that she had them, had no interest in keeping them any longer, and would I like them? YES!
I now have the complete James Herriot collection on my bookshelf. A series that I love, that are great at cheering me up if I feel a bit under the weather, and all for free! Thank you Zoe!
Back To Work!
Today was the first day back at work after a week off.
I spent the week with my lovely friend Kimmy, who was over here on a trip that has been the better part of a year in the making - but that's all coming in my next post.
Today I wasn't in class first thing. Well, I was there to greet the children, generally say hello, and then left to have my PPA time. Then towards the end a message comes to me that G (a child) wants to talk to me "because she feels scared".
(G's brother has cancer. He is in and out of hospital a lot and recently had surgery.)
Right away I go and get her and we sit on the sofa outside together. It comes to light that she is worried about her brother. And so begins one of the gentlest and hardest conversations I've ever had with a small child. We talked about how it was perfectly okay and normal to be worried about him. We talked about the medicine he was taking, and the physical side effects (losing his hair). We talked about ways she could show him that she loves him (lots of hugs and kisses), and we talked about ways she could look after herself when she is sad. And of course I made it completely clear that I would always have time to listen to whatever she wanted to say. She seemed reassured, and even laughed as we talked about how his hair might grow back (we decided ginger and curly would be best), and I think she went back into class happier.
But I see a lot more of these conversations in the future... I spoke to leadership afterwards, who are going to phone her parents to see how they would like us to proceed. It's a very hard conversation to have with a 6-year-old...
Let's just say, teacher training courses don't prepare you for this.
It is these sorts of moments that remind me sometimes, of the incredible role teachers have in children's lives. For some children, their class teacher is the only predictable, consistent and constant adult in their lives. And to be the one adult who a child who "feels scared" wants to turn to, is a real honour. A scary one, but an honour nonetheless.
I spent the week with my lovely friend Kimmy, who was over here on a trip that has been the better part of a year in the making - but that's all coming in my next post.
Today I wasn't in class first thing. Well, I was there to greet the children, generally say hello, and then left to have my PPA time. Then towards the end a message comes to me that G (a child) wants to talk to me "because she feels scared".
(G's brother has cancer. He is in and out of hospital a lot and recently had surgery.)
Right away I go and get her and we sit on the sofa outside together. It comes to light that she is worried about her brother. And so begins one of the gentlest and hardest conversations I've ever had with a small child. We talked about how it was perfectly okay and normal to be worried about him. We talked about the medicine he was taking, and the physical side effects (losing his hair). We talked about ways she could show him that she loves him (lots of hugs and kisses), and we talked about ways she could look after herself when she is sad. And of course I made it completely clear that I would always have time to listen to whatever she wanted to say. She seemed reassured, and even laughed as we talked about how his hair might grow back (we decided ginger and curly would be best), and I think she went back into class happier.
But I see a lot more of these conversations in the future... I spoke to leadership afterwards, who are going to phone her parents to see how they would like us to proceed. It's a very hard conversation to have with a 6-year-old...
Let's just say, teacher training courses don't prepare you for this.
It is these sorts of moments that remind me sometimes, of the incredible role teachers have in children's lives. For some children, their class teacher is the only predictable, consistent and constant adult in their lives. And to be the one adult who a child who "feels scared" wants to turn to, is a real honour. A scary one, but an honour nonetheless.
Thursday, 8 May 2014
A mid-week update?!
Look at me! Updating mid-week! What's happening?!
So... What's the gossip?
Nothing that interesting to be honest...
Although I'm starting to enter that sad phase at work, where I realise that I'll probably be leaving again before long... I've had an interesting and busy week at school, where I've had compliments thrown at me from all angles. And because of past issues, that is both extremely flattering and oddly depressing, when I realise that I'm not going to be around to make the most of that good feeling.
And I got a lovely text from my TA yesterday to say that another TA had stopped her yesterday to say "how lovely I am", and my TA had agreed with her. I am both sad and flattered. Because I do make a conscious effort to be nice to people at work. I say good morning and ask how they are, and try to listen to the answer. I try not to get involved in work-place bitching and I've tried really hard to be caring and supportive towards the NQT working with me. Yesterday she was trying to engineer situations in which I could stay with her for another year. :) And I guess it has been noticed, because after my PGCE student had some difficulties with a parent and another member of staff yesterday while I wasn't in class, when I came back and went around speaking to various senior management on her behalf, there was lots of talk of "Sally will look after you, ask her anything, she'll help you, she's great, etc etc". Perhaps a little more went into my selection as a final placement mentor beyond "we're getting a bit short of qualified staff"? I don't know.
Speaking of my student; her tutor came in today and we did a joint observation on her. Afterwards, the chat the tutor and I had outside was most interesting, and great for me. We'd noticed the same things, and commented on the same things. This was reassuring for me in that I was able to comment confidently on the good elements of the lesson, and make sensible suggestions for areas to develop. And was yet further reassurance for me that I do know what I'm doing. I get validation on that every single day practically. Yet I've not completely shaken off the evil demons who tell me otherwise!
Anyway, enough self-reflection for today!
Looking forward to the weekend! It's Eurovision on Saturday night, which I completely love! It's funny and quite fascinating! It's even better if you get a little drunk, which makes it all the more absurd and surreal.
In other news, I went to another of the National Theatre Live screenings at the cinema. It was King Lear this time... For some reason, I wasn't completely feeling the love. I was very tired that day, and was struggling to remain with the Land Of The Conscious.
That being said, I did manage to win myself 2 free tickets to the next NTLive screening of my choice. :D
The manager always comes in and asks the audience a question to have a chance to win. And I knew the answer.
I knew that Tom Hiddleston had played Coriolanus in a recent NTLive event.
I knew that because I went to see it.
I went to see it because I have a soft spot for Tommy boy. ;)
Who knew that indulging in Shakespeare because you have a crush on the lead actor could ever pay off? ;)
So... What's the gossip?
Nothing that interesting to be honest...
Although I'm starting to enter that sad phase at work, where I realise that I'll probably be leaving again before long... I've had an interesting and busy week at school, where I've had compliments thrown at me from all angles. And because of past issues, that is both extremely flattering and oddly depressing, when I realise that I'm not going to be around to make the most of that good feeling.
And I got a lovely text from my TA yesterday to say that another TA had stopped her yesterday to say "how lovely I am", and my TA had agreed with her. I am both sad and flattered. Because I do make a conscious effort to be nice to people at work. I say good morning and ask how they are, and try to listen to the answer. I try not to get involved in work-place bitching and I've tried really hard to be caring and supportive towards the NQT working with me. Yesterday she was trying to engineer situations in which I could stay with her for another year. :) And I guess it has been noticed, because after my PGCE student had some difficulties with a parent and another member of staff yesterday while I wasn't in class, when I came back and went around speaking to various senior management on her behalf, there was lots of talk of "Sally will look after you, ask her anything, she'll help you, she's great, etc etc". Perhaps a little more went into my selection as a final placement mentor beyond "we're getting a bit short of qualified staff"? I don't know.
Speaking of my student; her tutor came in today and we did a joint observation on her. Afterwards, the chat the tutor and I had outside was most interesting, and great for me. We'd noticed the same things, and commented on the same things. This was reassuring for me in that I was able to comment confidently on the good elements of the lesson, and make sensible suggestions for areas to develop. And was yet further reassurance for me that I do know what I'm doing. I get validation on that every single day practically. Yet I've not completely shaken off the evil demons who tell me otherwise!
Anyway, enough self-reflection for today!
Looking forward to the weekend! It's Eurovision on Saturday night, which I completely love! It's funny and quite fascinating! It's even better if you get a little drunk, which makes it all the more absurd and surreal.
In other news, I went to another of the National Theatre Live screenings at the cinema. It was King Lear this time... For some reason, I wasn't completely feeling the love. I was very tired that day, and was struggling to remain with the Land Of The Conscious.
That being said, I did manage to win myself 2 free tickets to the next NTLive screening of my choice. :D
The manager always comes in and asks the audience a question to have a chance to win. And I knew the answer.
I knew that Tom Hiddleston had played Coriolanus in a recent NTLive event.
I knew that because I went to see it.
I went to see it because I have a soft spot for Tommy boy. ;)
Who knew that indulging in Shakespeare because you have a crush on the lead actor could ever pay off? ;)
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