Board dusters, chalk and flying missiles

This post by Krip reminded me of a conversation Keith and I had just the other day. I was talking about various new initiatives in education (let's face it, the last 20 years have produced more new initiatives than most people have had hot dinners!) and we got to talking about punishments and discipline in 'the old days'. Keith reminisced nostalgically about the good old piece of chalk hurled expertly at recalcitrant pupils, followed swiftly by the board duster if improvement in behaviour and attention was not instant. I recalled the dents in the back walls (pinboard) of many of the classrooms in my school caused by board dusters which had missed their mark.
"Of course, I never got anything thrown at me," I boasted.
"I did," said Keith. "My blazer was covered with white chalk marks by the end of the day."
No surprise there then!

L.O?

The Year 3/4 class I had this morning had been watching 'Mathilda' as part of their work on Roald Dahl so, after watching the last clip of the video, I gave them some related work and reminded them about writing and underlining the title as well as the date.
All of which was quite straightforward until one of the girls asked,
"Is there an L.O?"
"Sorry? A what?"
"An L.O. You know, an L.O." chorused a number of voices.
Memories of a well-known sketch in 'The Two Ronnies' flashed through my mind and then I had it.............
That would be the Learning Objective, then?

Work? Oh sorry, no

The week before last was half term, so no work for me. Last week some schools were still off, having taken a fortnight, which means that they will have a shorter summer holiday, and still no work. (There's only so much housework, grass cutting, car washing and blog surfing one can do!)
And then on Wednesday afternoon the phone rang. Could I do the next two days with a Y6 class?
Not my favourite age group - too many hormones - but I said yes and then spent the next two hours searching for work to do with them. Just as I had finished, the phone rang again.
"Sorry, we're going to have to cancel you. The class teacher is coming back."
Hmm, didn't think I was THAT notorious!

Sunday at home

The peaceful silence as I sit here and type by the french windows, is broken only by the sound of birdsong and the distant voices of children playing in the field beyond the trees. Little Ginger Cat is resting quietly in the shade, just outside the door, the sky is blue, the sun is still shining and all is well.............. Love Sundays in summer.

Another lovely day

We are really being spoiled with all these days of beautiful weather. Part of me is pleased that I am not working, as I can enjoy these summer days rather than being in a hot, sweaty classroom (but then there is also the fact that if I'm not working, no money is going into the bank account either.)

The honeysuckle blossoms are out! Yes I know I am in great danger of becoming boring on the subject, but this is a cheapo plant from Poundland, bought two years ago and thrown in to appalling soil to take its chances, sink or swim. And believe me, with all the rain we had last month, it's a miracle that the whole garden didn't sink! Anyway, there it is, in all its glory. Even the local squirrels are coming to take a look. Word must have got round......

Another blonde joke

Another 'interesting' offering from TK. I take no responsibility for anti-blonde content!

A man entered the bus with both of his front pockets full of golf balls, and sat down next to a beautiful - you guessed it - blonde. The blonde kept looking quizzically at him and his bulging pockets. Finally, after many such glances from her, he said, "It's golf balls". Nevertheless, the blonde continued to look at him thoughtfully and finally, not being able to contain her curiosity any longer, asked "Does it hurt as much as tennis elbow?"

Lady of leisure

My spell of supply with the lovely Reception class in finished, half term was last week, although some schools are off this week as well, and I am ready for action.
Up at the crack of dawn, showered, dressed, hair-brushed, made up, breakfasted, sitting to attention on the sofa waiting for a phone call to say,
"Can you go to ....................School, a Y? class?"

Nine o'clock, and the phone has stayed resolutely silent.........

No excuse not to clean the car then. :(