A Good Laugh Makes the Day So Much Brighter.

With the earthquake in Christchurch making quite an impact on our minds, in class we have been exploring the effects of an earthquake on a city. While we are in the North Island we are well aware of what is going on down south and we are learning so much.


Today we were in groups listing what we should have in our emergency earthquake kits. (I don't have one, but starting this weekend that is going to be remedied!) When each group had a list we shared and combined it into one. (I have quite a bit of gathering to do to build one.)







As young 9yr old M... went out the door she giggled and told me in her group they couldn't quite bring the word 'kettle' so they wrote down 'wireless boiling system'. I laugh each time I recall it, it is only today's child that would come up with that. Well yes, I do have a 'wireless boiling system' i.e. kettle. So at least I do have one thing on the list.


Now I need to purchase the item that will provide the heat to boil the water.

From Organised to Stressed in a Blink

All in a matter of minutes. I thought I was well organised, and then boom, I couldn't find the Australasian Spelling tests I was about to administer to a group of students. What made it worse was the students were to be out later in the day so the pressure was on.

So while my class did an assignment I searched. I felt really pressured. I know I had them yesterday. After 15 minutes of looking, I found them, put away by accident with something else. So in a flurry I started to gather the students who were sitting. The tests were at different levels, then I found I had more papers than students!! More panic. I tore down to the office and got the updated list and called in the final student.

Ah, organised at last. We got the test done and the class was sort of getting settled into normalcy. Test done.

My class had then gone off to do orienteering and while I was 'sitting' a younger class I did the checking on the spelling. ARRRRRRRRRHHHH!! I have mixed up the tests given the Year 5 tests to the Year 6's and vice versa. Some rubbing out, and now we will have to redo them.

Some days might start well, but they can turn to custard and slide downhill very quickly. I am an organised person but today I'm not showing up as organised. I could feel my self really pressured, I am sure the blood pressure I am trying to lower was way higher than it should be. I believe next time I lose something I will say to myself I will let it go for now and come back to it later. But I hate losing things.

Yard Duty.

Of all the aspects of teaching the one I dislike the most is yard duty. Just when I'm looking forward to a break from interacting non stop with 30 children and I'm wanting a break, it's yard duty time. Teachers envy those out in other jobs who can take a leisurely lunch break all on their ownsome.

Generally its pretty much a non event. However last week I had this interesting by play with a 5 year old. I saw him throw some very heavy punches into the solar plexus of another 5 year old. So I went over and told him I was removing him for some timeout. On the way to timeout he informed me that he hated me! That moved me not, this little individual had no personal relationship with me. Our first time meeting.

I sat him out, outside the office and said I would be back in 5 minutes and I would release him then. As promised I returned, I asked him to stand, so that I could speak to him. "Whatever", was the reply. Somewhat taken aback I went down on one knee and met him on his territory. "We don't speak to teachers at this school like that! And we don't punch people either". He looks up and says, "So this school isn't a boxing school?"

"It most definitely isn't" And I sent him back out to play. I wandered away bemused. A five year old with an eleven/twelve year attitude. I thought to myself I think I need to dig out some old "The Nanny" shows to brush up on technique. Its obviously getting harder if the 5 year olds are anything to go by!