It's saturday. It's Halloween. It's just after lunch. And I still haven't gotten a tap of work done today. I have plans to do, modular plans that is and lesson plans. I have to start. I'm just finding it very hard to concentrate today. I just can't stop my mind for wandering...
Teaching practice starts on monday and I need to work. Fraiser is on now though, maybe I'll work after that? Or maybe I'll keep blogging until I eventually lose my mind and discover that lessons plan themselves and modular plans don't really exist. This episode is great, im in knots laughing. Fraiser should talk to me and work out why I proscrastinate? Would it help? I doubt it. I'm a lost cause today. Fraiser is over now, ads are on. But it's ok cause there's another one on after the ads. Wish I could sleep, maybe plans would come to me in my sleep?
It's denial. I like it. It's working for me. Well today it is anyway. Fraiser is back.... Still can't concentrate. If I took out a maths book maybe that would help? I could plan maths while I watch Fraiser....I'd probably be locked up if Fraiser saw me now.
Irish always works. I like Irish, it calms me. I could always concentrate on Irish in school. But I'm not in school today, and Irish isn't helping. Still no concentration and still no plans done. I'm like Eeyore, I think I need a hug. Where is Paddington Bear now when I need a hug? In cork thats where, I'm not in Cork. Poor Paddington Bear must miss me. Goodness knows what Fraiser would think of this rambling and lack of work. I dread to think.
don't think. Just enjoy Fraiser. To hell with plans til Fraiser is over.
Aye Kino
I'm wholly and utterly outraged.
Lived.
Enraged.
Upset.
Basically I'm not happy. For years Cork has been the home of the Kino Arthouse Cinema on Western Road. For years the students of UCC have frequented the arthouse and been enthralled in the delights of true cinema gems and international wonders of cinematic works.
Now due to funding issues Cork faces the all too real chance of losing the Kino Cinema. And we don't want this to happen. EVER!! Since 1996 we have enjoyed and loved the Kino and we can't let it go. So much so that Facebook has a page set up to SAVE THE KINO!! A vital way in this day and age to get the word out there!!
Gavin and I are greatly upset by the prospect of losing the Kino and soooo want to help SAVE THE KINO!! I also hope that if we say it loud enough and get enough people involved than the Arts Council and the Film Boards will help us to keep our culture centre in the Kino and help us stay cultured.
13 years is a long time and so many people have grown to love the independant films shown in the Kino, Films such as The Class that Gavin and I both loved! Although probably for very different reasons. Either way we do not want to lose the Kino. Check out the Evening Echo, you'll see we're not the only ones who know how much the city will miss the homly feel in the Kino.
Where else will we enjoy the Cork Film Festival if we lose the Kino?
We can't afford to keep it running as it is but even more so we can't afford to lose it.
Lived.
Enraged.
Upset.
Basically I'm not happy. For years Cork has been the home of the Kino Arthouse Cinema on Western Road. For years the students of UCC have frequented the arthouse and been enthralled in the delights of true cinema gems and international wonders of cinematic works.
Now due to funding issues Cork faces the all too real chance of losing the Kino Cinema. And we don't want this to happen. EVER!! Since 1996 we have enjoyed and loved the Kino and we can't let it go. So much so that Facebook has a page set up to SAVE THE KINO!! A vital way in this day and age to get the word out there!!
Gavin and I are greatly upset by the prospect of losing the Kino and soooo want to help SAVE THE KINO!! I also hope that if we say it loud enough and get enough people involved than the Arts Council and the Film Boards will help us to keep our culture centre in the Kino and help us stay cultured.
13 years is a long time and so many people have grown to love the independant films shown in the Kino, Films such as The Class that Gavin and I both loved! Although probably for very different reasons. Either way we do not want to lose the Kino. Check out the Evening Echo, you'll see we're not the only ones who know how much the city will miss the homly feel in the Kino.
Where else will we enjoy the Cork Film Festival if we lose the Kino?
We can't afford to keep it running as it is but even more so we can't afford to lose it.
Congratulations Gavin!!
Well it's a mad busy week this week in Hibernia Land. Assignments have been due left right and centre. Barely had time to sleep. But thats not what I wanna blog about tonight, I also don't wanna blog about the Sub work I had all week or TP, (I'll blog about TP prep next week, maybe)
I can't promise anything but I'm sure the excitement of TP prep and a new class will cause me to blog no end.....
Tonight I wanna blog about something seriously important to me.
Tonight I wanna say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Gavin for becoming one of us nerds and surviving college and Finally escaping from Mary I and all the B'Eds and BA's.
So Gav, welcome to the real world, where like me you get to join the Department of Geek Affairs and be a nerdasauras!!
Well Done Babe!!
I can't promise anything but I'm sure the excitement of TP prep and a new class will cause me to blog no end.....
Tonight I wanna blog about something seriously important to me.
Tonight I wanna say a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Gavin for becoming one of us nerds and surviving college and Finally escaping from Mary I and all the B'Eds and BA's.
So Gav, welcome to the real world, where like me you get to join the Department of Geek Affairs and be a nerdasauras!!
Well Done Babe!!
Dyslexia Ireland
I am a big fan of reading, I genuinely do enjoy it and could read a book a night if I was left alone long enough and didn't have college stuff to do. For me a night in with a big book is ideal, a toasty hot fire, a large mug of hot chocolate or a giant bowl of popcorn and a book and my night is pretty damn good, of course there is a Queen CD on in the backround as well. I know how lucky I am to enjoy this treat. I know not everyone likes reading or finds that reading comes as easy to them as it does to me. I know this.
Last saturday I was lucky enough to attend a seminar held by The Dyslexic Association Ireland. Being a Hibernia student I knew a bit about Dyslexia but not much and certainly not enough to know what would be needed if I had a child in my class with dyslexia. So when I heard about this seminar I jumped at the chance to go and talk to parents who's child or children live with dyslexia and how as a family they cope and deal with the homework issues. As teachers I don't think we really understand how tough the homework is for a child with Dyslexia. We don't think about how long the homeowrk takes. On average we suggest homework for a child in 3rd class should take 45mins to a hour but for many children who have homework to do with Dyslexia this ball point time frame can often end up being closer to three hours of more. As a student teacher I'll admit I never thought about this. Am I the only one? I highly doubt it. I spoke to parents who felt their sons and daughters previous or current teachers did not realise how long or hard homework can be. Many parents even felt that some teachers do not understand Dyslexia. My question is how can a teacher how knows nothing about dyslexia be expected to teach that child properly....?
A child or even a person with dyslexia often struggles with literacy skills, reading can be tough, writing and spellings can be even harder. As teachers we see that in class but somehow, and I'm not saying every teacher does this but somehow this is forgotten when it comes to giving homework. There are many signs to look for in a child if you think they may have dyslexia. I won't go into them all but I will give you a rough idea and hopefully as teachers this short list will help us understand and work with any child in our classes. Slow processing of information is a key sign, along with being disorganised, memory issues, letters get themselves mixed up, reading and writing is tough and languages are hard. Other indicators are less obvious ones, like finding time telling hard, handwriting can often be messy, this can be to hide the spellings mistakes, squencing can be difficult and rhyme and alliteration is often quite hard for a child with dyslexia.
However dyslexia is more then just a problem with reading, it is a continum of learning difficulites. It can impact on phonological awareness, working memory, rapid naming, automatic basic skills and motor skills. From a very early age it can perhaps impact on early speech development. As a teacher I found myself asking do we realise all of this when teaching a child?
Self esteem is often a problem for the child as well. The feeling of being "different" can affect a child a lot more than we realise. Teachers need to foster every childs self esteem and confidence. Prize the child for all of their strengths. Be aware that everything you say in class affects them in the long term. Every child has a dream they want to follow, foster and encourage that dream. It may be that they want to go to college, go to UCC or Trinity College or they may want to be a mechanic or a hairdresser, whatever they want to be or do as their teacher we should be encouraging that.
So what can we do?
1. Affirmation-praise every effort to raise self esteem
2. Be aware of dyslexic students in the class, good communication between teachers, parents,
and students is essential
3. Be aware of learing style. Auditory/Visual kinaestthetic-use mind maps, colour variations and multisensory methods
4. Never ask a student to read aloud, Build confidence by asking questions that you are sure they can answer
5. Do not expect a dyslexic student to copy from the blackboard or take notes from dictation. Arrange types or photocopied notes
6. Keep dyslexic students actively involved iin the class-maintain eye contact and sit them at top of the class
7. Colour highlight key word. Break up text with relevent headings. Do not use long paragraphs of texts
8. Compile subject specific dictionary of words commonly used in each subject.
9. Revision-use bullet points/revision notes to extract core information for students
10. Over learing-build up frequent revision into lesson and homework. Familiarise students with common wording of exam questions.
The Dyslexia Association have a tutoring group to help with homework and literacy skills. Information can be found on their website, click the links from here. There are many many branches around the country all of whom can help. The website also has key information and books for teachers, its well worth a look and I for one will definitely be investing in one or two of them to improve my teaching!
Computers and ICT skills are key life skills for everyone these days. Teachers should be teaching their class key ICT skills, I know with the amount of work that needs to be done for the curriculum is more than enough to keep us busy. But teaching the class to type and use a PC is essential. Brilliant help for a dyslexic child to be able to type, its a life skill that they will thank for you for for a very very very long time.
Last saturday I was lucky enough to attend a seminar held by The Dyslexic Association Ireland. Being a Hibernia student I knew a bit about Dyslexia but not much and certainly not enough to know what would be needed if I had a child in my class with dyslexia. So when I heard about this seminar I jumped at the chance to go and talk to parents who's child or children live with dyslexia and how as a family they cope and deal with the homework issues. As teachers I don't think we really understand how tough the homework is for a child with Dyslexia. We don't think about how long the homeowrk takes. On average we suggest homework for a child in 3rd class should take 45mins to a hour but for many children who have homework to do with Dyslexia this ball point time frame can often end up being closer to three hours of more. As a student teacher I'll admit I never thought about this. Am I the only one? I highly doubt it. I spoke to parents who felt their sons and daughters previous or current teachers did not realise how long or hard homework can be. Many parents even felt that some teachers do not understand Dyslexia. My question is how can a teacher how knows nothing about dyslexia be expected to teach that child properly....?
A child or even a person with dyslexia often struggles with literacy skills, reading can be tough, writing and spellings can be even harder. As teachers we see that in class but somehow, and I'm not saying every teacher does this but somehow this is forgotten when it comes to giving homework. There are many signs to look for in a child if you think they may have dyslexia. I won't go into them all but I will give you a rough idea and hopefully as teachers this short list will help us understand and work with any child in our classes. Slow processing of information is a key sign, along with being disorganised, memory issues, letters get themselves mixed up, reading and writing is tough and languages are hard. Other indicators are less obvious ones, like finding time telling hard, handwriting can often be messy, this can be to hide the spellings mistakes, squencing can be difficult and rhyme and alliteration is often quite hard for a child with dyslexia.
However dyslexia is more then just a problem with reading, it is a continum of learning difficulites. It can impact on phonological awareness, working memory, rapid naming, automatic basic skills and motor skills. From a very early age it can perhaps impact on early speech development. As a teacher I found myself asking do we realise all of this when teaching a child?
Self esteem is often a problem for the child as well. The feeling of being "different" can affect a child a lot more than we realise. Teachers need to foster every childs self esteem and confidence. Prize the child for all of their strengths. Be aware that everything you say in class affects them in the long term. Every child has a dream they want to follow, foster and encourage that dream. It may be that they want to go to college, go to UCC or Trinity College or they may want to be a mechanic or a hairdresser, whatever they want to be or do as their teacher we should be encouraging that.
So what can we do?
1. Affirmation-praise every effort to raise self esteem
2. Be aware of dyslexic students in the class, good communication between teachers, parents,
and students is essential
3. Be aware of learing style. Auditory/Visual kinaestthetic-use mind maps, colour variations and multisensory methods
4. Never ask a student to read aloud, Build confidence by asking questions that you are sure they can answer
5. Do not expect a dyslexic student to copy from the blackboard or take notes from dictation. Arrange types or photocopied notes
6. Keep dyslexic students actively involved iin the class-maintain eye contact and sit them at top of the class
7. Colour highlight key word. Break up text with relevent headings. Do not use long paragraphs of texts
8. Compile subject specific dictionary of words commonly used in each subject.
9. Revision-use bullet points/revision notes to extract core information for students
10. Over learing-build up frequent revision into lesson and homework. Familiarise students with common wording of exam questions.
The Dyslexia Association have a tutoring group to help with homework and literacy skills. Information can be found on their website, click the links from here. There are many many branches around the country all of whom can help. The website also has key information and books for teachers, its well worth a look and I for one will definitely be investing in one or two of them to improve my teaching!
Computers and ICT skills are key life skills for everyone these days. Teachers should be teaching their class key ICT skills, I know with the amount of work that needs to be done for the curriculum is more than enough to keep us busy. But teaching the class to type and use a PC is essential. Brilliant help for a dyslexic child to be able to type, its a life skill that they will thank for you for for a very very very long time.
TP Stress hit home
TP TP TP TP TP TP TP TP TP :(
The dreaded TP is just around the corner. The prep has begun. The GST are all in a panic. The lesson plans are being thought out, planned out and the typing has begun. The printers are already causing problems. Mine doesn't print, someone else has one that won't take black ink and a third one that eats paper. It's a mess overal. Having being asked but a friend what printer to buy for Hibernia I was left thinking and very puzzled. He's just started Hibernia and has his first onsite on saturday, already the printing of the notes is taking its toll. So I thought about my printer, it hasn't worked since the first ink cartridge ran out in March, it's now October and the second ink cartridge won't let me print. So would I recomment that printer? Eh no! It's a lexmark if anyone was asking and not one I'd suggest you get. But what should you get? I have no idea!
Of course a printer isn't all thats needed to be bought for TP. God no! TP is the most expensive time of year for any GST. And it happens THREE times a year. TP2 is in a few weeks time. I need to buy a new TP folder and some more dividers for the infamous TP folder. I hate all the paper work that comes with TP, there is an awful lot between the school details, the class details, the assessment details, the lesson plans, the evaluations of the lessons taught, the attendance sheets it just goes on forever. Must remember to have the supervisors reports from TP1 in the new folder too. It's a long list of "To Do". On the plus side I have a lot of Well Done and Super stickers for my TP class, thats one less thing to have to buy. Right? I think I need to rob a bank.
I did manage to buy my puppets though, I have a Hippo and a Zebra. Lidl's finest baby! Very cute and def more affordable then the ones in Easons and in any stores I had previously seen in Limerick. right now they are sat on my so called printer and looking fierce cute and cuddley. Just need a circle time activity or class to use and play with my puppets in now.
Final reminder? Get the TP consent form signed. ASAP.
The dreaded TP is just around the corner. The prep has begun. The GST are all in a panic. The lesson plans are being thought out, planned out and the typing has begun. The printers are already causing problems. Mine doesn't print, someone else has one that won't take black ink and a third one that eats paper. It's a mess overal. Having being asked but a friend what printer to buy for Hibernia I was left thinking and very puzzled. He's just started Hibernia and has his first onsite on saturday, already the printing of the notes is taking its toll. So I thought about my printer, it hasn't worked since the first ink cartridge ran out in March, it's now October and the second ink cartridge won't let me print. So would I recomment that printer? Eh no! It's a lexmark if anyone was asking and not one I'd suggest you get. But what should you get? I have no idea!
Of course a printer isn't all thats needed to be bought for TP. God no! TP is the most expensive time of year for any GST. And it happens THREE times a year. TP2 is in a few weeks time. I need to buy a new TP folder and some more dividers for the infamous TP folder. I hate all the paper work that comes with TP, there is an awful lot between the school details, the class details, the assessment details, the lesson plans, the evaluations of the lessons taught, the attendance sheets it just goes on forever. Must remember to have the supervisors reports from TP1 in the new folder too. It's a long list of "To Do". On the plus side I have a lot of Well Done and Super stickers for my TP class, thats one less thing to have to buy. Right? I think I need to rob a bank.
I did manage to buy my puppets though, I have a Hippo and a Zebra. Lidl's finest baby! Very cute and def more affordable then the ones in Easons and in any stores I had previously seen in Limerick. right now they are sat on my so called printer and looking fierce cute and cuddley. Just need a circle time activity or class to use and play with my puppets in now.
Final reminder? Get the TP consent form signed. ASAP.
Topical Discussion
Warning.....Topical Discussion on Paternity Leave Ahead......
Well now that the Infant Education assignment is done, dusted and uploaded you would think it's time for Hellie to have some fun? EH NO! Wrong! There is now an Irish assignment due in less than two weeks and the sociology of education learning logs are due the week after that, Hibernia have a sick sense of humour! Cause TP is next straight away after the logs are in.....When exactly am I ment to sleep and have fun? But at least I can heart that next tuesday is the last Sociology of Education tutorial, I enjoyed the lessons that we read but I can't say I found the online classes to be fun.
However I will say that some of the content was really interesting. Like tonight was all about equality, great give it to women. But the question was asked, should men get paternity leave as well as maternity leave for women? Would they want it? Well obviously the answer is yes if its paid leave but what happens if its unpaid? The class discussion was interesting to say the least. Do men want to take unpaid leave? No. Do they feel they should get time to bond with their child? Yes. Do they feel they should be paid to do so? Yes. Women get maternity leave and are paid for it, a woman cannot be fired for being pregnant or getting pregnant. Nobody looks on a woman badly for having a child and wanting to spend time getting to know them and bonding with them. Are men treated the same? Realistically probably not no. The chances are that men would be looked at as soft or girly. This would not be the case in places like schools I'd imagine but I can see it happening on building sites or anywhere where the "mans man" can be found. I'm not trying to stereotype or generalise.
When asked if men would be happy to have paternity leave when their partners would not be at home as well with them and the child the answer was mixed. Many said that they would love to be there at home with their partners and child to bond as a family, a natural reaction. Many more said they would be more comfortable having their partner there especially if this is their first child and they are unsure of themselves. It was a mixed reaction and no definite answer was found but we had fun chatting about it.
Any opinions? I'd love to hear them!
Is maternity leave too long? Should more men take paternity leave? Do men ever take it? Is it even offered? Should it be paid? Unpaid? Optional? If women get 6 months maternity leave should men get the same? Is it the same thing? Can we expect companies and bosses to cover the cost of parernity leave? Or is it a government deal? Would it be better for the child to be given chance from a young age to bond with daddy from birth like they do with mammy? Does Daddy want the chance?
Tell me what you think! Leave a comment.
Well now that the Infant Education assignment is done, dusted and uploaded you would think it's time for Hellie to have some fun? EH NO! Wrong! There is now an Irish assignment due in less than two weeks and the sociology of education learning logs are due the week after that, Hibernia have a sick sense of humour! Cause TP is next straight away after the logs are in.....When exactly am I ment to sleep and have fun? But at least I can heart that next tuesday is the last Sociology of Education tutorial, I enjoyed the lessons that we read but I can't say I found the online classes to be fun.
However I will say that some of the content was really interesting. Like tonight was all about equality, great give it to women. But the question was asked, should men get paternity leave as well as maternity leave for women? Would they want it? Well obviously the answer is yes if its paid leave but what happens if its unpaid? The class discussion was interesting to say the least. Do men want to take unpaid leave? No. Do they feel they should get time to bond with their child? Yes. Do they feel they should be paid to do so? Yes. Women get maternity leave and are paid for it, a woman cannot be fired for being pregnant or getting pregnant. Nobody looks on a woman badly for having a child and wanting to spend time getting to know them and bonding with them. Are men treated the same? Realistically probably not no. The chances are that men would be looked at as soft or girly. This would not be the case in places like schools I'd imagine but I can see it happening on building sites or anywhere where the "mans man" can be found. I'm not trying to stereotype or generalise.
When asked if men would be happy to have paternity leave when their partners would not be at home as well with them and the child the answer was mixed. Many said that they would love to be there at home with their partners and child to bond as a family, a natural reaction. Many more said they would be more comfortable having their partner there especially if this is their first child and they are unsure of themselves. It was a mixed reaction and no definite answer was found but we had fun chatting about it.
Any opinions? I'd love to hear them!
Is maternity leave too long? Should more men take paternity leave? Do men ever take it? Is it even offered? Should it be paid? Unpaid? Optional? If women get 6 months maternity leave should men get the same? Is it the same thing? Can we expect companies and bosses to cover the cost of parernity leave? Or is it a government deal? Would it be better for the child to be given chance from a young age to bond with daddy from birth like they do with mammy? Does Daddy want the chance?
Tell me what you think! Leave a comment.
TP rides again
Ok so the sporting events last week really took their toll on me. Not to mention the toll it no doubt had on Bernard Dunne. He fought well in rounds one and two but things didn't go to plan in the third.....but you can read that in The Almost Daily Sports Blog with Gavin.
Hibernia wise things have been manic busy. The infant education assignment is due on Monday and I'm still only half way through it. It's not exactly going to plan but I'll get there, I don't have a choice to really!! Following that assignment I have the irish language assignment to start and finish next week for the 12th! Nothing like a busy bee eh? Teaching practice is also starting to creep up on us again....it has a nasty habit of doing that hasn't it? It's ok when you're there at the school but wow the wait is painful, the nerves set in and the apprehension is mighty. It's no fun.
I've got 1st class this time around. It's nice to have a young class but I can't help thinking about how much I'll miss the "grown up" chat and day in 5th class. They were fun to have around!! I lloved being around them too even it ment Hannah Montana and High School Musical. So I guess I should get back in training and find out what 1st class pupils watch? Any ideas? I really really hope its NOT Dora the Explorer! Or Barney! Either way I don't wanna take up watching either program during the day!
You'd imagine the stress would be getting to me....you'd think I'd be getting the head down and hitting the books a bit more but instead of studying and doing assignments I'm watching old ER reruns and pretending that the assignments don't exist!
It doesn't work.
At all.
But either way I had a really good few days, Gavin was here and I was in Galway and I LOVED it. So, i guess it's only fair, after I had a brilliant week with Gav that I make up for a fab week by doing the assignments now without so much dosssing....
well maybe after this episode of ER?
Hibernia wise things have been manic busy. The infant education assignment is due on Monday and I'm still only half way through it. It's not exactly going to plan but I'll get there, I don't have a choice to really!! Following that assignment I have the irish language assignment to start and finish next week for the 12th! Nothing like a busy bee eh? Teaching practice is also starting to creep up on us again....it has a nasty habit of doing that hasn't it? It's ok when you're there at the school but wow the wait is painful, the nerves set in and the apprehension is mighty. It's no fun.
I've got 1st class this time around. It's nice to have a young class but I can't help thinking about how much I'll miss the "grown up" chat and day in 5th class. They were fun to have around!! I lloved being around them too even it ment Hannah Montana and High School Musical. So I guess I should get back in training and find out what 1st class pupils watch? Any ideas? I really really hope its NOT Dora the Explorer! Or Barney! Either way I don't wanna take up watching either program during the day!
You'd imagine the stress would be getting to me....you'd think I'd be getting the head down and hitting the books a bit more but instead of studying and doing assignments I'm watching old ER reruns and pretending that the assignments don't exist!
It doesn't work.
At all.
But either way I had a really good few days, Gavin was here and I was in Galway and I LOVED it. So, i guess it's only fair, after I had a brilliant week with Gav that I make up for a fab week by doing the assignments now without so much dosssing....
well maybe after this episode of ER?
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