The Black Hole

This was forwarded to me via email and I thought it was so good, I decided to share it. I can't say more without spoiling it. I love the idea of it though...

I'll be very careful in the resources room from now on!

The Book Thief

No, this is not a solution to my challenge, it's the name of the fantastic book (yes a real paper one!) I have just finished. Thanks to JJ for lending it to me.








The_Book_Thief written by Markus_Zusak

Highly recommended.

It evokes strong emotion from the start and is not a book you can easily read in a couple of days, but I loved the characters, who were well developed throughout the story and enjoyed reading about what life was like in Germany during WWII. This thought provoking story, will stay with me for a long time.

Oh, apparently you can't really write even a short review of this book and not mention the unusual fact that it is narrated by Death.

Kindle Ueberraschung!

Last year, I treated myself to the much talked about Amazon Kindle 3G+WiFi.

I won't ramble on about what it can do, I'll leave you to look at it yourself...


But I will say that I have hardly put it down since I bought it and that, despite costing £150+ it has been worth every penny. It's not for everyone and if I didn't read so much, I would not be able to justify splashing out so much on what is, for all intents and purposes, a gadget. But I do and I did!

I love the fact that I can finish a book and download the next one without having to go back to the PC. This does obviously have its own financial implications (see my earlier post) and although it is so easy to finish one mid-series book and go straight on to the next one, I have had to set myself some rules about how many books I can download per month.

In January, as my financial situation looked increasingly bleak, I set myself a new challenge (and registered it with Goodreads to help me stick to it)...

My challenge is to not buy ANY books this year! Here is how I plan to do it...

1. Read books already on my shelf (including my e-bookshelf) that I have not read.
2. Re-read books.
3. Borrow from the library.
4. Borrow books from friends.
5. Download some of the 'FREE' books for kindle.
6. Hope I get the 3 books I desperately want to read this year for my birthday.

See how I'm doing here.


So, if anyone can help, by recommending a FREE Kindle download or by lending me a book, I would be very grateful.

I think my Kindle will be getting a much needed rest, though, while I reacquaint myself with 'normal' books again!

Talking Books

My posts over the past couple of years have been sparse to say the least. Much has changed, but there's nothing more boring than another blog post filling in the gaps of what I have been doing.

However, if I had to say one thing that has really changed, it's that I have started reading like books are going out of fashion. I have always enjoyed reading, but I think I can now safely say I am in the 'avid to slightly obsessed' category, which started around the time Breaking Dawn (Twilight Series) by Stephenie Meyer was published.

My then 10 year old daughter came home telling me her friends were reading the Twilight Series and, thinking to encourage her to read more literature appropriate to her age and ability, I bought them. The plan was for us to read them together (I read a bit, she reads a bit), but she just didn t get into the first one. They were still a little too difficult for her and she didn't really engage with the text, so discussions about the characters and events were painful. And truthfully, I was glad, because I had started to read ahead and couldn't stop.

Finishing one book, I quickly started the next until I had read the series (4 books) in 2 weeks. Having nothing equally appealing ready to move on to, I found myself in a state of 'withdrawal', desperately searching for recommendations. After a week, having had no recommendations that appealed to my interest, I started the Twilight series again!

I had never read a book twice, I realised, and found that there is a lot to be understood from a second reading. Once I put down Breaking Dawn for the second time, I had to find something else. That's when I found Goodreads.

I don't have time for a real bookclub where people get together once a month, so I wanted a group I could take part in or not, depending how busy I was, and where I could decide not to read this months book if I didn't like it. Goodreads allowed me to do those things and more. On Goodreads I found some groups of people who were reading similar books. There are discussion threads for almost any book you might be reading and by reading what others were reading, I easily found recommendations for books I would like. It's not like Facebook where you collect friends who you once knew (or maybe still see every day), but have very little in common with. I only have a couple of friends listed and they have similar taste in reading material, but through the groups, I can discuss books with anyone irrespective of whether or not they are listed as my friend. There is no obligation to do anything; you can participate as much or as little as you want.

One of the great things for me, apart from recommendations, has been the facility to keep track of which books I have read. Being able to come across a good book and add it to my 'to read' list is fantastic.

But don't take my word for it, have a look for yourself..

Want / Need

Money is very tight, yes, everyone is telling the same story. We are having to cut back on lots of the things we would like to have as well as some of the things we need. But, where do you draw the line between want and need?

Having put down a £60 deposit and paid another £55 deposit on Little Z's school trip, I am loathed to lose what we've paid already and tell her she can't go because we can't really afford to pay the other £165 (yes, the 5 day trip to IOW really is costing £280 not including all the kit she will need!).

Both of the children do one activity outside of school. Big J does karate, which is having a huge positive impact on his confidence, behaviour and attitude. That costs £4 a week, but then he goes to grading every 2 months, which costs £19 plus £4 for the new belt. He is doing so well, it would be a real shame to stop it, but is this a need or a want?

Then there's ballet. Little Z has been doing that for 6 years and it has helped her immensely with her coordination and balance, things she naturally finds difficult. That costs about £54 a term (£4.20 / week) on top of all the kit. Our recent trip to the dance shop, purely for things she had to have for ballet (ballet shoes, character shoes and a new tailored character skirt) cost £42. So, again I ask, 'need or want'?

I guess it comes down to how desperately tight money gets. I speak to some people who say, " ooh, money is really tight. we'll be lucky if we get to go on holiday more than twice this year!"

That is so far from my world, I think they might actually be on another planet! Then there are people, who say, "I can't afford to go on holiday this year." Well, that's more like it, I think, until the follow that up with, "I think I'll have to get the money from my mum to pay for my holiday." Unbelieveable!

In my world, 'being tight for money' means it's hard to pay the bills and buy the weekly food shopping with the money we have coming in. Holidays? If you can even consider affording holiday, you are not 'struggling' quite like some of us are!

Where to start?

As I sit in my living room, surrounded by parts of the dismantled Christmas tree, boxes usefully marked 'Xmas Stuff' and decorations which have not yet made it to the living room floor, but still hang from the ceiling by the same precarious strip of tape they were attached by in December, I don't really know where to start. Being a teacher, I often have this problem; there is so much to do, how do I know which to do first?

Yes, I know the decorations should have been down by the 6th and that it is bad luck if they are still up after that. Actually, I have a theory about that...

The start of the year is an opportunity for a fresh start. In fact every day is an opportunity for a fresh start, but this seems to escape many people's notice, as they prefer only to do the 'fresh start' when it is marked on the calendar, which sort of defeats the object of starting fresh and being motivated, if you are waiting for someone else to tell you when to do it, but that aside, Many people like to start afresh on 1st January and so, I think the 'get your decorations down by the 6th' superstition is linked to that, the idea being that to move forward in the right frame of mind, you must pack away the Christmas paraphernalia. It's a way of accepting that Christmas is over for this year.

I, you will be unsurprised to hear, think differently. It is good to keep the decorations up, because those first few days back to work in January can be gloomy. We feel tired after the excitement and hustle and bustle of Christmas and could do with another week off. The house looks bare after the tinsel and garland are packed away. It is somewhat depressing putting all those little tree ornaments back into tissue line shoe boxes. I hate that feeling. Keeping the house looking sparkly lets us hold on to that feeling of fun for a little while longer. We have had a great couple of weeks, putting the Christmas lights on when we know it is not really Christmas any more.

Unfortunately, Larry decided it was time to put it all away. He got the boxes out of the loft and deposited them in the middle of the living room. Now, that I can't live with. I tried to ignore them, but after a week, they are really in the way, so I'm afraid, Christmas really is over in our house now.

Will it still feel so depressing after taking the remaining decorations down and packing them all away? Who knows. It will feel tidy again, though, which I guess is something. Now, where shall I start...?

My Word!

And so I find myself spending more time at home pondering what it means when someone gives you 'their word' and allowing my creativity to run free with Windows Live Movie Maker...

Big J versus The Big Fella

Last week Big J was playing Cuponk with little success, when I heard him saying, "I wish I could get really good at playing Cuponk", fair enough, and then I heard him add, "Amen," and realised he was praying for better Cuponk skills! I laughed to myself as he continued listing things he wished for in the same way: "I wish... Amen."

We have not really talked to Big J about God, not being particularly religious or going to church ourselves, so I guessed he'd just heard prayers at school and thought he'd try them out to see if they worked.

Yesterday, we were all stuck at home after it snowed so much that the schools closed, so we went to the Sports Centre with a makeshift sledge. It started out as a lot of fun; we all had a go sliding down the slopes, having snow fights and generally having a good time. Then Big J started to get really cold and wanted to go home. His insistance that we go home NOW turned into anger at the snow and a declaration that he hated it...

"I hate snow, I really hate it....

...and I hate God, 'cos he made snow. That's just stupid. Why did he make such a stupid thing? He's an idiot. It's rubbish. He just made a load of rubbish...

...I hate the whole earth. He thinks it's good, but it's rubbish...

...I hate God. He's a poopy pants. He poos in his nappy. Anyway, I don't believe in him any more..

...How can he get up into space anyway without a rocket or something? I don't think he exists...

...And I hate Jesus. I hate God and Jesus. They are both rubbish..."

So, that seems pretty clear then. My son is not about to devote his life to God, apparently.

He did say today that he does actually like snow again now. I didn't dare ask what he thought of God today! I think I'll wait till he's playing Cuponk again!

Imagine if...

Out for my daily brisk walk with my Ipod, I like to use the time to lose myself in thought. So a few days ago while out walking, having already reflected on the week's events, and feeling pretty good about myself for doing lots of exercise and for having lost 17lb so far, I started to have a bit of fun with my imagination (a bit dangerous if you are me!). I started to compile a list in my head:

Imagine if...

... while walking along this busy road full of rush hour traffic, I started singing along loudly to my Ipod and dancing along the road to weaving in and out of the cars.

... I squeezed the bum of that guy who pretended not to see me as I walked past him.

... I walked into one of these big posh houses, went into the living room, put on the TV, kicked off my shoes and sat down with my feet up on the sofa.

And so the list goes on. I'm sure I must have been grinning to myself as I walked along thinking these mad things. I am also sure other people have these ideas too. So, if you have something to add to my ' imagine if...' list, please leave a comment.

UPDATE: JANUARY 2011

I recently spoke to a psychotherapist about these thoughts. She said everyone has crazy thoughts that then make them think, "Where did that thought come from." So, I now don't feel so crazy after all and will continue to have fun with imagination! Hmmm..... I wonder what would happen if....

Feeling like a Loser

A horrible day's supply a few weeks ago at a school which should not remain nameless, but will because I'm the soul of discretion (!), during which I was called a 'fat witch' and was told by the same 'delightful' girl that I have a fat a**e and eat too many cakes, prompted me to not only decline more offers of supply work in that part of that school, but also to realize that I was sick of hearing the comments (some coming from no other than my own 5 year old son!) about my size or weight.

We'd been watching 'Fat Families' with Steve Miller on Sky 1 and although I would never consider myself to be in the same situation as most of the families features in the program, what Steve Miller said each week just seemed common sense. His basic advice to everyone was to "Eat less, move more".

So, I started on Sunday 14th March by going out for walk in the New Forest with the family. Since then I have just taken Steve's advice. I have cut down my portion sizes, stopped eating sweets, chocolates, crisps etc. reduced the amount of bread I eat and most importantly I have exercised every day for at least 30 minutes. I lost 5lb in the first week and 2lb the second week and 3lb so far this week. The best part is that it hasn't cost lots of money. I don't go to a gym. I just go out walking. I have tried to build it into the day, so instead of driving, I park the car and walk. The only thing I have bought is a pair of black trainers so that I can walk comfortably to work without looking silly in work clothes and white trainers!

Easter is going to be tough, but I am allowing myself an Easter egg and have made sure I have some healthy treats in, like fruit I don't usually buy and expensive fruit juices.

I don't feel like I'm missing out, but I do feel much better in myself for losing weight, being able to get into clothes that didn't fit before and am feeling so much healthier for all the exercise I'm doing.

School Withdrawal

Only 4 days after the start of the Summer Holidays, I should be relaxing after the very long and extremely busy half term, but after going into school on Thursday to clear the classroom out and briefly on Friday to drop off a few things, I still find myself pacing up and down unable to sit down and relax. Have I forgotten how to relax? Probably not forgotten, but it seems I am out of practice. My mind is still racing, coming up with new ideas for topics, spotting resources I could use etc. I hadn't realised how much school work I was actually doing at home until I stopped (or tried to stop!). I only counted the hours I sat at the computer planning and the time I sat marking & assessing work, but do any of us count the hours we spend thinking about school? It's probably not a good idea to do so. It would certainly remind me how much time I am stealing from my own children.

I have often said I believe things happen for a reason. I think I now know why I do not have a job for September. It will be good for me to do supply teaching again for a while. It will allow me to catch my breath again after my children have gone back to school, to leave school at a reasonable time (any time before 18.00 would be an improvement) and to be there for my own two children.

Goodbye Uncle John

I remember when I was little. Visits from Uncle John were so special. He made such a fuss of us. I used to sit on his knee and he would tell us all funny stories of things he had done. He ran his own company and always brought us keyrings and pens and things with the company logo on. They were the best things in the world then. When I got a bit older he used to come down and take us out for a meal in a posh restaurant. It was the only time I ever got to go to a proper restaurant. I loved telling my friends about.

I remember once, he was showing me the credit cards in his wallet. I really liked the holographic bird on one of them. He said that when the card expired I could have it. Mum & Dad both told me not to be upset if he forgot because it would be quite a long time before the card expired. I forgot about it, then one day months and months later I got a little letter from him with the holograph attached. I was so excited. It meant a lot that he'd remembered.

I was really excited when he said they were moving closer to where we lived. He lived in Hertfordshire and we only got to see him about twice a year, so it would mean we would see him a lot more. He was selling the business and buying a couple of old cottages which he planned to convert. I never saw what it looked like before he had it renovated, but apparently it was just two old large cottages and some stables set on a very large plot of land with a pond and woods etc. When it was renovated it was lovely. I remember being amazed by how big it was. I used to get lost just going to the bathroom.

When Larry & I decided to get married, we were quite young and although we had a bit of money saved we were going to settle for a small wedding that we could afford. Uncle John said that if we wanted a big wedding we should have one. He was well off, but he had worked hard for the money he had and I told him I could not accept his money. He didn't give me a choice. He insisted on giving me the money, so I very gratefully accepted. He also let us use his Daimler as a wedding car and was our chauffeur for the day even taking us to the hotel we'd booked for the wedding night. We had a lovely wedding in a big church and couldn't have done it without him.

The following year we bought our first flat in Southampton. Again, he helped us out with lots of helpful advice about legal matters and helped us out temporarily with a loan for the deposit.

After moving away from home, we only saw Uncle John at Christmas and family occasions such as weddings. In recent years we have lost touch with him and my Aunty apart from Christmas cards. We were busy with our children and work. We haven't visited my parents so often and when we have, time has always been so short we haven't had time to visit anyone else.

On Sunday I had a call from my Dad. I knew it was important. Dad never (almost never) phones me. Uncle John was in hospital with Pneumonia. They had been to visit him and although he looked tired and pale, he was in good spirits, still telling amusing stories.

This morning, I had a call from my mum. Uncle John died this morning. He had been ill for quite a long time and for a few years now he has been warning everyone this might be his last birthday or his last Christmas. Well, he didn't make it to either this year. His birthday is next Thursday.

I am glad my dad got to see his brother before he died and that he will have a recent memory of him joking and telling stories. I am sad I didn't get to see him, but I shall remember him as my favourite uncle who used to sit me on his knee and tell me silly stories which he exaggerated so much that they bore no resemblence to the actual event, but which were amusing and entertaining all the same.

Goodbye Uncle John xxx

Why I Hate Facebook...

I really am starting to hate the bloody thing. Yes, I am just about to go off on one of my rants, so please stop now if you are in a positive mood, because you'll be reaching for the Prozac (or more of it if you are a regular reader :s) by the time I am through!

Firstly, I hate the way facebook tells you "10 of your friends think you are sexy!" Get stuffed. Most of the people on my friends list don't even think I am worth inviting out to the pub, let alone think I am sexy.

Secondly, 'friends list' - that's a joke. Hardly any of the people on my 'friends list' are true friend's. Some of my good friends are not even on there as they have either decided not to join Facebook or only use their computers when they have to. Some of the people on my list don't even know me. It's ridiculous!

Thirdly, on my 'friends list' I have parents (of children I have taught in the past), teachers I work / have worked with, parents (from the playground at Little Z's school) and real friends. You will notice 'real friends' is at the end of the list. This is because it is the category with the fewest people in it! Many of these people know each other and some of them have a 'teacher / pupil's parent' relationship. I am not very comfortable about this. Conversations on Facebook are very public. I have had some conversations with some people that I would not like certain people to read, but as you never know who is on your friend's friends' 'friends lists' (still with me?) you could be talking in front of anyone!

Fourthly, Facebook makes me miserable. I regularly see the pictures and read reports of all the great things my 'friends' are doing that I am not. I am not a jealous person, but it reminds me that I don't have any money and that even if I did I probably wouldn't be invited anyway!

Fifthly, (yes, I am still ranting, you might as well keep reading now you've started!) I just don't see the point in all these 'send your friend a snowflake', 'ooh, send your friend a different crappy snowflake'. It reminds me of when I was a boring child with no imagination (er.....??? ok, leave that one :s) and my friends at nursery wanted to play with dolls. I never understood why they wanted to. What's the point? They are not real!

Sixthly (is that even a word? I can barely pronounce it!), Groups. There are too many groups set up by people who can't spell or punctuate or at least 'check their work before they hand it in' :) Again, what is the point of these groups? I can see that some groups have been set up so that people can discuss areas of interest with likeminded facebookers. However, when people just set up a group to rant about something in the news when there are already 8 existing groups on the subject, for goodness sake, get a blog! (oh, yeah!)

There are a few things I like about Facebook. But I am not going to write about them in a post entitled 'Why I Hate Facebook...' now, am I!

I've got a new job!

For anyone who checks my blog regularly (yes, I know, just pretend, okay?!*) you will know that I am updating this very retrospectively, but as I have been whinging about not having a job for ages, I thought I ought to update my blog to let anyone who reads it (*see above) know the good news.

Over half term I received a letter inviting me for interview on Friday 7th November following my application for a maternity cover year R teaching post. I had had an interview there before and had been given some fantastic advice by the headteacher which had helped me get the next job I had been interviewed for.

I worked really hard to prepare for this one. I made resources, borrowed resources and used some I already had. I spent a long time thinking through, planning and then practising my lesson until I felt it was good. I practised interview questions & answers over and over. I did lots of reading on the new EYFS and other relevant topics so that I was ready for anything they could possibly throw at me during interview. I was lucky that most of the interview questions were the same as they were last time, so were on my list of 'likely to be asked' questions which I'd prepared answers for.

It worked. They loved my lesson (children and interviewers) and I was pleased with how it had gone. The interview also went very well. I was glad I had prepared - it paid off. I left the school at 12.15 feeling very confident, but knowing that they still had one more candidate out of three of us to interview. At 2.15 I received a call to offer me the job. I am not sure if I was more excited or relieved. If I didn't have a job for January, things would be very tough financially.

I have to remember, though, that it is a temporary contract to cover maternity leave and no matter how many times people say, "well, you never know, she may not come back." I am not taking anything for granted. I want to have a job ready to go to when this contract finishes. I am not going to hang around to see if there is a permanent job at the end of it, because there may not be one. I've been there, done that and learnt a hard lesson I'm not likely to forget for a while.

Sleepover

There are many things we do as parents that after we have done them we look back and say "Thank Goodness that's all over." Birthday Parties, for example. Having 10 of your child's friends running around your house, is something you just have to put up with once a year (per child! - glad I stopped at 2!) It is always difficult when you have other children in your house. They never have the same house rules at home that you do and they do things you wouldn't let your own children do, not because they are naughty or disrespectful, but just because everyone has different routines at home.

Little Z has been asking for weeks if Little A could come for a sleepover. Little Z has never had a sleepover before, but having just turned 9 is at that age where she feels more grown up and wants to start having her friends to stay the night. They asked so many times that I finally gave in and so yesterday I picked up Little Z & Little A from school and after watching Little Z take part in the school's last cross country race of the season we all went back to our house for dinner.

I was surprised by how calm and sensible they were. I expected to have to keep nagging them to pick their things up and not make such a mess or to stop teasing Big J (something Little Z tends to like doing when she has friends around), but they were very well behaved and Little Z was much calmer than she usually is. We watched Doctor Who on DVD during which the girls sat together quietly snuggled up on the sofa. They had their hot chocolate and then went to bed. Again, I expected to have to go in there several times to tell them to go to sleep and not to make so much noise as they were keeping Big J awake. I didn't. They talked for 5 minutes, then it was quiet. Within 15 minutes, they were asleep. It is never that easy when it's just Little Z and Big J to put to bed. Maybe we should have friends to stay more often!

What a day...

Feeling energetic, I woke up this morning and decided we would walk to school. So having hurried to get ready for school, I ushered Big J and Little Z out of the house to take Big J to the childminder's. Despite the fact that I am going to the school and could take Big J myself, it is a long way to walk for him and I don't want him getting worn out before starting the school day. I am also trying to keep him in some kind of routine so that he knows he must go to the childminder's every morning whether mummy is working or not.

So, after dropping Big J off just around the corner, Little Z and I had to just pop back home to get her bags and then we could go. That is when I realised I did not have my house keys with me. Having been in such a hurry to get out of the house on time, I had pulled the door shut behind me without taking my keys out of the other side first. Great!

Little Z and I tried for 10 mins to open the door from the outside using the very sophisticated 'twigs through the letterbox' method. We were not successful. Luckily I had picked up my car keys and so we were able to drive to school where I had to drop Little Z off without her school bag and lunch and then had to go into Big J's school for sharing time, where he gets to take me around the class and show me all the things he has made etc.

I then had to go to the Junior school for an informal meeting with Mrs C, their ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) which was very beneficial to both parties. I was able to express my concern about Little Z's recent change in behaviour at home, namely her frustration and anger, and Mrs C agreed to try to see Little Z today to give her some time to talk through anything which may be worrying her and which she has not felt she could talk to me about.

I felt very positive after the meeting with Mrs C, however, I still had the issue of the keys to sort out. Thankfully, Larry had not yet left his office to go on delivery so I was able to collect his keys from him.

After such a busy few hours, I was glad to be able to sit down and relax until at 11.55 I suddenly realised that I had not taken Little Z's bag to her at school (it had been locked in the house and so left behind) and she therefore had no lunch! So much for trying to be economical with petrol this week. I called the school. They were not answering and I was not going to leave a message. I jumped in the car and took her bag to her.

As luck would have it, the deputy, who is also the SENCO (special educational needs coordinator) was in the school front office and having just had a meeting with the Ed Psych was able to give me some feedback on that meeting and its outcomes. It is a big relief to know that finally something is being done. I have to say. I think the school are being fantastic. The class teachers and SENCO are very supportive and have been receptive to recommendations I have made. Having then also spoken to the class teacher at the end of the day, he seems to be taking the recommendations of the Ed Psych on board and in addition to the things he already has in place for her, is considering how he can support her further.

I have spent months with my 'Teacher Parent' head on, not knowing which one to be and not being able to separate the two roles. Now I can relax and just be a parent where Little Z is concerned. She already has a teacher who is doing a good job, she doesn't need another one.

Oh Deer!

Sundays are our family time. We always try to get out somewhere with the whole family and have some quality time together. Last Sunday we took Seany & Granny to Bolderwood. This is fast becoming our favourite place to visit in the New Forest. We enjoyed the walk so much last week, that we decided to go back again this Sunday. It's great whether you want to go for a long walk, short walk, cycle ride or just a picnic on the grass. As it is a deer sanctuary, there is a viewing platform and daily talks by the local keeper when the deer get fed. There is a lovely picnic area which also has barbecue facilities and there is plenty of parking. I recommend it to anyone looking for somewhere new to go that doesn't cost a lot of money. Take a look here to see for yourself.

2nd Chance?

Interview last week at one of the lovely schools I mentioned did not go well. The lesson I planned was really good, but I did not deliver it well. I did not prepare enough for my interview and it was a tough interview with some difficult questions. I am using the excuse that I had not been well for a few days prior to the interview and so was not feeling 100% on the day. Doesn't make any difference though. they are not going to give me a job because they feel sorry for me. I do have another applicatioon to send off this week to a school I have had an interview at before. It is across the other side of the city so would take about 30 mins to get to in the mornings, but I have to take what is on offer. It is a nice school with a good ethos and having interviewed there before, I know what sort of things they are going to be asking should they invite me for an interview. In the meantime, supply is going okay. I enjoy being called by schools direct as apart from getting paid more, I get satisfaction out of knowing the like me / like my teaching and are asking me back.

Heads, Shoulders, Knees & Toes!

Big J has been going to school for four weeks now. I am amazed we have (so far) not lost any of his jumpers, his trousers do not (yet) have holes in the knees and his shoes are not scuffed beyond repair. I wonder how they manage it. We have not been so fortunate in avoiding headlice. Even with Big J's short hair, they managed to go forth and multiply leaving the poor boy scratching and scratching. Luckily, as a teacher, I have become slightly obsessed with spotting headlice and they were gone quicker than you could say "nit nurse". As a precaution, I have taken the clippers to his hair and he now has a number 2 all over. It suits him and I think he has had long enough at school now for them to know that he is not a little thug despite his resemblence to one:)

School for all

Me & School

I have visited 2 lovely schools this week. Both about 15-20 mins away (in different directions) and both have a very similar ethos to my last school and so I'm feeling very excited at the possibility of going somewhere new and finishing (dare I suggest it!) my NQT year. I can't believe that after 2 years of teaching I am still an NQT, however I am in a good situation as an NQT as I have lots of experience of supply teaching; I have experience of having my own class and of taking over a class mid-year from another teacher and am still entitiled to my extra 1/2 day non-contact time. In addition to all that, I didn't get to go on my induction training last year as my paperwork went astray, so I have all of that to do still which will be really good for development and has already been paid for so should not be a worry for any school taking me on.

As far as supply work is concerned, there has been nothing so far. I have phoned and registered with the agency again (thought it would be handy to have a back up and as they pay weekly it would give me a bit if cash while I am waiting for the council to pay up) and have registered directly with several schools as well as being on the supply list at my last school, so it is just a case of waiting at the moment. Anyway, in one way it is nice to have the time to get on with my job applications.

Big J & school

Big J doesn't start school for another 10 days. We had a home visit yesterday from his new teacher and teaching assistant and that went very well. He told them about himself and did me proud by not talking about poo or willies despite those being his favourite topics of conversation at the moment. I think he is looking forward to it, but I think he is a bit apprehensive too. He knows the school quite well as Little Z went there and now goes to the junior school on the same site. He has also been to visit for snack time and story time etc. as part of the school's induction program for reception children. I am surprised at how nervous I am of him starting school. It's not like I don't know what to expect, but I still worry about him getting into trouble when it's not his fault or not knowing what to do if they give him something too difficult to do. I guess it is because he is still so young. He won't be 5 until next May so is really little to be going to school already. He will only go in part time to start with and then in December he will start going all day. I am looking forward to my childcare bill going down!

Little Z & School

Little Z has settled much better this term. The end of last term was really difficult as we (my friend & I) identified that she has Dyspraxia. As everyone knows children can be cruel and none more than two girls in her year who have made it their job to tease and be mean to her (and many other children) since she started school. Unfortunately she has made a good target for bullies as she doesn't always know how to react in social situations and tends to give them the reaction they want. So, having given her a couple of strategies to deal with these girls and a few others who have joined in, she seems much happier and more confident. She even stood up for her friend yesterday who was being picked on by a boy who usually picks on Little Z. I was so proud of her, although as there is something of the 'policewoman' about her, I have told her not to go fighting everyone's battles for them and to focus on her own for now. She has a few friends who are strong enough to stand up to the bully girls (who have told others not to play with little Z because she is wierd or have threatened not to be their friend if they play with Little Z) and she is now also a bit more conscious of her own behaviour, understanding that some behaviour is best kept for home (eg. pretending to be a rabbit!) so that it does not encourage others to tease her.

We still have a long way to go before I feel she is getting the right amount of support in school, but the teachers have been very good and have listened well although I could do with knowing what is going on a bit more often. In some ways being a teacher has helped me get it sorted out, but in other ways I am very conscious of not becoming one of those over protective parents who are always coming in to raise issues with the teachers. It's hard to switch off from being a teacher and be just a parent.

Larry & School

Larry went to school once. He picks up the kids and watches the playground characters (parents, not children) with amusement!