Anseo!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2012-02-11T11:17:00.000Z

This week,on Tuesday the 14th to be exact,this here blog turns THREE! Such a grown up age! I started blogging three ago to document my journey through Hibernia and no idea how it would take off and be read by others, both teachers and trainee teachers. I love that people read what I have to say. I've made some great friends through blogging and twitter so to celebrate I'm giving away birthday presents this year! I've got some of Rory's Story Cubes to give away thanks to Rory himself! It's really easy to enter, I'm going to post up a photo I've just taken of some Rory's Story Cubes, just as you would have when you're playing with them and you write me a story! Nothing fancy, I'm not expecting Shakespeare I just want a story! Of course you can put them in any order you like once you use all the cubes to create your story! Very easy game to play and very easy to enter! Just pop your story in the comments below! I'll leave the competition open a few days and you can enter as often as you like, I'm nice that way see! So get writing, go on, what are you waiting for??

Fantasy Classroom: Knitting

2012-02-08T15:27:00.000Z

I've been thinking a lot about my fantasy classroom lately, I've posted about my wish to have a proper library in my room and today I'm going to share my crafty dreams.
For anyone who knows me, I'm no craft expert. In fact I've very limited skills in the crafty areas, I'm more about the great ideas then the carrying out. I find how things look in my head are usually wonderful but in reality they don't always work out that way! Not to worry I'll keep trying.
One craft I've managed to do reasonably well lately is knitting. How fashionable of me right? When I was in school we were very lucky to be taught knitting from 3rd class on. When I was in 4th class my fantastic mother came into the class twice a week to teach me and my classmates to knit. I loved this. The fact that my mom took time out of her life to help us still means the world to me and instilled a love of knitting. From then on I started knitted regularly, we had the best dressed teddies in our house!! And as a kid I loved sitting in my living room, in front of the fire with mom clicking away with my needles. So relaxing. But like many teenagers I stopped knitting and got lazy.....
Over Christmas I took it up again. I made a tea cozy for Gavin's parents, a stripey one in plum and cream. Hugely relaxing and once again I found myself in my living room in front of the fire with mom clicking away with my needles. I loved it. And this is something I want to give to my students.
It doesn't need to be knitting, but I want to instill a love of crafts and arts in my pupils. Every child will enjoy something different so I'll need to try as many crafts as possible but I'll be starting off with what I know. Knitting. It's so good for hand eye coordination and concentration. We started it from a young age in school and I'd hope to do the same in my own class. Nice simple things to start, a scarf for teddy, a hat or socks for dolly, nothing fancy but enough to keep our cuddly friends warm at night! While considered a craft, knitting can be an integral part of the art curriculum and I don't think it should be forgotten about or ignored because it's seen as old fashioned or even dull by some teachers and parents. There are so many small business set up around Ireland by crafts people and knitting has become a huge part of this. People pay big money for hand knitted produce. It's a skill that be taught and should be taught. While not every teacher can knit or wants to be able to knit it is something I can do and will be doing in my class in the future.

Wise words today? Pick up some needles and give it a go, IF I can do it anyone can

#CESI2012

2012-01-19T14:20:00.003Z

The date has been announced- Feb 24th and 25th.
The registration is open.
The venue picked.
The presenters are getting ready.
Will you be there??

But why should you go? It's just a load of teachers being very nerdy and talking techie stuff right?
WRONG!!
The CESI conference is one of the most important dates in a teachers diary. It is a chance to meet with other teachers, learn new skills and see what friends (and other schools) get up to. It is a chance to broaden your horizons, meet new people and have fun. The theme this year, as you can see above is TEACHnology merging teaching and technology in schools This theme gives me genuine shivers down my spine. The possibilities are endless! As teachers we use such a huge variety of ways to teach, a massive selection of technology is used and resources are all out there just waiting for us to get grab them. CESI gives us chance to dip our toes in, kick the tyres and see what it's really like before commitment. Where else can you do that? Only thanks to CESI!

The #CESIMEET takes place on Friday night (Feb 24th) in the Heritage Hotel in Port Laois. It's a more laid back setting with mini presentations, often from speakers who are doing workshops on the Saturday. It's not a long evening (unless you want it to be ;) hehe) Each mini presentation is just a few minutes long but are so informative that is really is a shame to miss out on such an important event. Once the meet itself is over you have time to chat. I love the chat time. Meeting old friends, meet twitter followers face to face and catching up is amazing. The learning never stops, everyone you talk to has an experience to share, a tool they use and love or tips on how to get better use out of that app you like but wish it did more. Meeting new people through CESI is one of the most important aspects of the conference and as teachers it's one that we should be embracing.

Saturday morning is early. Ok it's not early but if like me you stay up late on the Friday night chatting then it's early! The workshops are so well organised that the day flies. You've time to meet and greet in the morning and check out some of the features, plan your day, what talks you want to go, what workshops and who to have lunch with. Attending the talks is amazing, there's a real buzz about the place as teachers see new ideas and how they work in the classroom. You can't help but be a little over excited to get back to school on Monday to try out all you've learnt over the weekend. The high lasts all day, throughout every workshop and presentation. You can't help but see the passion everyone has for technology and teaching. That kind of passion that is catching. Leaving Port Laois full of new ideas, inspiration and a desire to try out everything is what makes CESI the experience that it is.

Wise words today? Go to www.cesi.ie to learn more or click HERE to register for the conference! Don't miss out!! It's worth it!

Fantasy Classroom-The Library

2012-01-08T16:36:00.000Z

As a teacher who's still looking for a class to call her own I have many ideas of what kind of classroom I'd like and I'm going to share with you. Cause I'm nice that way see?
I've always dreamed about having a classroom with a proper library corner in it. I was lucky enough when I was in still in UCC to spend a day with a young teacher in my old primary school who had a fantastic library corner on which I've based my ideal library. I want a bookcase, not the old fashioned stereotypical school bookcase but a proper fancy one. Filled with all sorts of books from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Malory Towers, Swallows and Amazons, Top Gear, Anne of Green Gables, Miley Cyrus and anything else the cool kids read. Or want to read. I don't mind what kind of books are there once they are books children want to read and will enjoy, a huge variety of literature, a wide selection of factual books about pop stars, football heroes and historical events. I'm not picky what is read once my class read something that they enjoy.

Of course having a bookcase full of books is one thing, having a nice place to read is another. I don't know about you but I love having a nice comfy, cozy corner to read, to fly away to a whole new world and escape into adventure. When I was in school I loved reading but always found it really hard to do that while stuck at a desk sat on a hard uncomfortable chair, truth be told I still do. I love curling up on the sofa with cushions and a blanket to read, somewhere comfy. I want that in my classroom. Somewhere where the children in my class look forward to going to experience reading and adventure. A few beanbags, cushions softer chairs and the library corner is almost perfect.

Proper lighting is a must here too, no point trying to read in the dark. I find the window to be too distracting and I'm sure all kids enjoy looking out the window as much as I do. I'd put a blind on the window to keep the distractions out and put some small lamps around the corner, some fairy lights on the walls to make the whole place more homely, cozy and inviting. My idea of perfect reading conditions! My dream library corner both at home and in school-a place where kids should feel comfortable and I think a library like this one is a fairly good start to my dream classroom.

Wise words today? Make the classroom and library as comfortable as possible, they should be somewhere enjoyable to be for pupil and teacher alike.

Tis the Season

2011-12-07T18:00:00.001Z

To be jolly! And in my house we're well on the way to jolly and festive! Well I am even if Gavin isn't exactly a Christmas elf like me! He's probably more like the grinch but he's trying and I'm more then making up for it!! Last week I wrote two guest posts for my good friend Chantelle! I'll link them here and here so you can go read them! Chantelle is another festive elf who like me loves loves loves Christmas and on her blog she's doing the blogging equivalent of the 12 days of Christmas, it's the 24 posts of Christmas! She's invited blogging friends to write guest posts about their Christmas traditions and memories, something I love about Christmas so I'm really loving her blog these days, even more then usual! While I was writing my posts, yes I did two cause I've just that much to say, I realised that this Christmas will be very different to other years. My sister is away. For a whole year. And she can't make it back for Christmas. So while we'll be keeping with as many of our traditions as we can there'll be a notable and integral part of our lives missing. If you've ad my guest posts on Chantelle's blog then you'll know that my little sister is just a kid at heart who wakes us up at a horribly early hour on Christmas day, having kept us up half the night on Christmas eve! I know she's having a ball while she's away but I also know that she will be hugely missed in our house and throughout the extended family over the holidays. When I was at home yesterday I convinced dad to put up the Christmas tree with me, it doesn't take much convincing to be honest. While I was getting it ready I had Christmas fm on and was singing along loudly, making enough noise for two as my dad says! Well I was trying! I even made sure to put up all my sisters fav decorations to the front of the tree, including the cupcake ones she bought last year that my mom hates! I'm sure they'll be moved but I'll sneak them back when I'm home again! It will be different but we'll enjoy the festivities, we'll still see the extended family on Christmas eve and Christmas morning, we'll still fall asleep on the sofa Christmas night and I'll still enjoy all the yummy yummy food! :) Wise words today? Put up your tree early, the earlier the festivities start the better for the soul!

Life Lessons

2011-11-08T16:34:00.000Z

I read a blog post last night that really got me thinking. That's not unusual that there's a blog post that gets me thinking, most posts that I read do and certainly all the blogs I follow often leave me full of questions and ideas and new hopes. This blog post was different, written by Pernille Ripp (whom I am now following) it's a post about a teachers realisation that our words have lasting effects on the children we teach and that there are times that our reprimands should have an end. If you want to read Pernille's post here's the link and it's well worth a read.
I've had a similiar experience but it was the other way around. I had rightly corrected two girls in 5th class for passing notes. Unfortunately, they continued to pass them and talk about me in them. I have no issues with them disliking me for telling them off but in these notes they were discussing how best to "get revenge". I won't go into too much detail but after taking them aside we sorted out the issues and moved on. Or at least I thought we had. I was subbing there for a few weeks and while they never tried anything similiar again one of the girls in question certainly made it more difficult to teach her. I decided not to take too much notice and within a day or two things settled right down. And she came to me after school one day to say sorry. In her own way she was disappointed I wasn't her normal class teacher and she was letting me know. However unlike us teachers, she let me know when her disappointment in me was over and when she was ready to move on.
As I read Pernille's post last night I couldn't help but think of this incident and how it changed the classroom vibe. How that simple little phrase "I'm sorry" can change the atmosphere in a room, a class and even within a school. Pernille's post reminded me that I should and need to be aware of my own attitude and after care when correcting children in my classes or any classes I'm working in. Our words can have lasting effects on those around us and children are especially aware of this.

As educators we've long since known that children find it easier to believe the negative feedback compared to the positive feedback. It's no wonder if we keep putting children down that they begin to believe it to be true. Mrs Ripp found the same, the boy she corrected believed she no longer cared and acted in a way that Mrs Ripp says in her blog post surprised her "I couldn’t help but tell him I was surprised he had been involved, that it seemed out of his nature to make such choices." As we get older this becomes more and more true, we still find it easier to believe the negative, even though deep down we should know better. For example, last night I recieved an email slating me and my blog and while I feel silly now for believing it, it was a lot easier to believe. I asked my twitter friends if I should reply to him. The answer was overwhelmingly no, ignore him. But what surprised me more was the support I got from people, messages telling me that they read my blog and really enjoy it. Some were from friends I know in person and from a pre twitter life, others were new followers and new friends. All of them made me feel better. Skinny Doll in particular went above and beyond in order to make me feel better and believe in the positive.

If something so trivial can get to me like that, a supposed grown up. Just imagine what a throw away comment can do to a child. It looks like Pernille Ripp and I both learnt a lesson recently neither of us will forget in a hurry. And I think we'll be better educators, teachers and friends because of it.

Wise words today? Think twice before opening your mouth or email account. You never know what repercussions there will be. Think before you tweet too (sound advice from @carnsoreboxer)

Where's Hellie?

2011-11-04T17:56:00.000Z

The last few weeks I've been in a tiny little classroom in the senior infant prefab. Sounds odd I know but that's the Learning support room for the senior classes. And for a small room it's really busy! I see different people every half hour and each child is extremely different and challenging in many ways.

One of my favourite resources in there a simple book, one that as small fry ourselves we loved. Well I did anyway. And that's Where's Wally? There's a few children that come to me every day that I use Where's Wally with. I find it very helpful when working with kids with ADHD and ADD. It takes some serious concentration to find the wiley Wally and that can be very difficult if you have ADHD or ADD. There's always great excitement in my room when Wally or Wenda are found. I've tried it, it's tough enough to find walkabout Wally. There's a sense of pride and achievement that can be quite rare and hard to see in some children and I admit it, I'm always a little proud when I see them proud of themselves. Sure who wouldn't be?
For those of you who don't know the book I'll give you a basic run down. Wally is a normal looking guy. He wears red and white stripped jumper and hat with a red pom pom on top. He has blue pants and brown shoes. Nothing hugely fashionable and if we saw him walking down Henry Street today we'd probably stop and stare but in this book he doesn't stand out at all. He hides in the middle of a large gathering of people and the idea is to find him. And his friends of course, Wenda, the Wizard Whitebeard, Oddlaw and Wally's dog Woof. There's also a list of items to find in each picture such as Wenda's camera and other bits and pieces.

Wally isn't a small book, he's very very popular. There's 7 books in total. We now have three of them in the resource room. And the kids love them. I use them as mini treat as they really do enjoy trying to find Wally that said I try to make sure that they have time at least once a week to spend a few minutes looking for Wally. There's some kids who find them faster then others and there are some who struggle but they all love the book. And you can see their confidence growing as they master each page and move on to either finding the next item on the list or onto the next page or even book. It's amazing to see. Especially from such a simple book and idea. Wally has sparked spin offs of course, there's always a Where's Stig version based on the Top Gear character Stig and in the states there's Where's Waldo but for me, you just can't beat good ole fashioned Where's Wally?

Wise words today? Invest in a Where's Wally? book, they're on offer at the moment two for the price of one in O Manonys Bookshop Limerick

Oíche Shamhna

2011-10-31T14:33:00.000Z

Halloween this year is at the very start of our Midterm Break. A joyous time for children and teachers alike. A time of lie ins, late night movies and lunch with friends. And of course the teachers enjoy it too. Like most schools we were mad busy coming up to Halloween. Who would have thought that a non holiday holiday could cause so much extra work? It seems like only yesterday we were starting back to school and now all of a sudden I'm seeing teachers panic because they don't have the classrooms done up. I'm not a fan of Halloween, I don't really like it. I don't remember liking it since I was maybe 9 and trick or treating with friends. But kids, they like it and teachers like doing things that engage their class so we pretend to enjoy Halloween (in my case) and we think of ways to make it fun for them.
For many teachers the prep for Halloween has been going on for two weeks prior to midterm and they're worn out. For more it was a lot less. In my case it was virtually none thankfully. In school over the last two weeks there have been countless pumpkins carved, the senior infants had a class one, the 5th class had a few of them-after they discovered that in the warm classroom the pumpkin started to smell a bit. It was the 6th class that I think got the most use out of their pumpkins.
They each had one, which meant that there were almost 30 pumpkins in that class alone. First they spent time working out which ones were the biggest and deciding if the biggest ones would have the most seeds in them. Then we had the pleasure of helping them to take the tops off so we could see inside before estimating how many seeds would be in each one. The guesses ranged from 100 right up to 1000. There were on average between 200 and 300 seeds per pumpkin when we counted them. Then we gathered up all the pulp to see if the colour was strong enough to dye a plain white t-shirt. It was and we had plenty of now orange t-shirts to try and dry before going home on Thursday. Then we moved on the carving! It was great fun and really messy. I'm sure the mammys and daddys loved getting pumpkins sent home on Thursday!

Friday a lot of classes were doing Art and Drama etc as it was the day of the Holidays! In learning support I couldn't really do that so along with having Halloween poems etc I brought in some home-made buns and we iced them together! It was a messy messy job but someone had to do it! And the kids loved the mess! I was trying to make orange pumpkin cakes, however some of the icing turned out a little red when the kids were doing it, so we had spooky blood cakes instead! Not that my icing was any better later on that day when I tried to do it at home but ah well!! Sure they tasted lovely!

We also had some of the local Gardaí call in to the senior classes to remind them about being safe on Halloween night. We discussed road safety, being aware of smaller kids and family members, older neighbours etc. The all important DO NO EGG someones house was brought up as well. As was being careful around fireworks. I know they look pretty but they really aren't toys and shouldn't be played with by kids or adults who don't know what they are doing. And a point was raised by some kids that we hadn't thought of. Animals and pets don't really like Halloween, the loud noises of fireworks freak them out as do the large amounts of screaming scary kids so be nice and don't scare the local dogs and cats. After all, you wouldn't like it if your dog was scared.

It's time for me to head to Tesco and get some junk food for any trick or treaters who may call tonight, leaving it to the last minute so I don't eat the junk food seems like such a good idea until I end up in Tesco later on. Ah well have a good night guys, be safe and don't eat too many sweeties!!

Wise words today? Get to Tesco before the mad rush starts and there are no sweeties left!

Dr Feelgood, Benefit Make over part deux

2011-10-17T17:13:00.000+01:00

So I think it's high time that I finished this mini make over series with the eyes post.

So by now you've got the foundations and whatnot done and you're looking HOTTT!! The next step is to finish the look with smokey eyes and some lip colour!

Before you do anything else, squirt out a tiny drop of Stay Don't Stray, to keep the eye shadow and eye lliner in place. Dab it on gently, never pulling the skin or being too rough. Bring it from the eye right up to the eye brow.

Next step, the start of the hot smoky look! Go mad and invest in the Smokin' Eyes Box! I did and I love it!

* Fill both sides of fluff shadow brush with pewter base shadow. Blow the extra colour off the the brush. Start at the lash line and diffuse colour up slightly above the crease.

* Sweep fluff shadow brush over deep charcoal shadow. Starting at the outer corner of your lid, blend it halfway in, then up and out. This is to extend your eyes and creates a sexy smoky look.

* Tap pink highlight shadow along the brow bone gently with fingertips.

* With smokin’ liner, line upper lash line from the outer corner three quarters of the way in. Sweep hard angle brush over deep charcoal shadow then trace over liner.

* With middle finger, dab pink eye bright on the inner corner of eye and pat to blend. Then dab and blend upwards from the outer corner of eye to brow.

* Dip the hard angle brush into the pigmented wax. With smooth angled strokes shape and define brows. Got a stray hair? Tweeze it!!

I didn't use the liner that comes with the Smokin' Eyes box, instead I much prefer BadGal Liner Waterproof, especially in charcoal colour. As someone who is generally afraid of putting things near my eyes I actually like this eye liner. It's soft, easy to put on, doesn't drag the skin and blends really well with the sponge at the end. Lovely stuff!

Next off, mascara!! And like eye liner I've never been a fan of mascara but there's two Benefit ones that I love! BadGal Masacra Plum and They're Real! The new They're Real is amazing! I love love love it! Check out this link if you're unsure what one tickles your fancy! Black mascara for the Hollywood look!

For the Hollywood look we were going for we used a selection of bright bright red for our lips! Frenched lipstick or Benetint give a fab colour that just looks amazing! Course if you're like me and tend to go for the less obvious colours then there's gloss. Which looks just as gorgeous!

Wise words today? Now all you need is a night out to give it a go!

Guest Post: Junior Infants

2011-10-10T22:05:00.000+01:00

I've another guest post for ye guys! This time it's from a really great teacher and friend from Twitter, Mary Jo Bell.

I teach inSt Anne’s Primary School, Shankill, Co. Dublin. I am very interested in InfantEducation and using technology in the classroom. You can follow my class onTwitter, we are @MrsBellsClass and our new class blog ismrsbellclassblog.blogspot.com

Junior Infants

October ishere and my Junior Infants have now been at school for five weeks. It really isamazing to see how quickly they have settled into the class routine. Routine isa very important part of life in the Junior Infant class as they like to knowwhat is happening.

My firstcontact with these children was last June. We hold a meeting for parents andnew Junior Infants before the holidays. It gives the children an opportunity tosee their classroom and to meet their teacher while parents are given some tipson helping their child to settle into school.

My advice to parents is:

· Onthe first morning, bring your child to the classroom and get them sitting downas quickly as possible.

Bringa camera to photograph this important day.

Don’tdelay too long. Give your child a big hug and leave. If your child is crying, Ican guarantee you that this stops very quickly. Children start playing withtoys, talking to friends and life is great!

Alwaysbe on time, both for the morning line up and to collect your child afterschool.

Giveyour child a healthy lunch, make sure they have enough. I often have to tellparents that their child has eaten everything by 10.30am. Always include abottle of water.

Labeleverything – books, copies, bag, lunch box, coat, hat, scarf, gloves, jumper –whatever your child brings to school.

Buyyour child a good-sized school bag, one that will carry an A4 sized pocket-folder.Children often have trouble fitting everything into their bag, so a big bagmakes life easier for them.

Teachyour child how to take off / put on their jumper and their coat. Teach them howto pull out a sleeve that is inside-out. Teach them how to fasten their coat.These are little things, but mean a lot when a child knows how to do them.

Don’task your child “What did you do today?” They will answer “Nothing”. Ask them“Did you draw/say rhymes/ sing/ read a story?” This should get an answer.

Remember,if you have any questions, just ask the teacher.

“Big school”is a whole new world for the Junior Infant child. They are now in a biggerclass- grouping with often over 30 children in the class. We are very lucky inthat we take in three classes of 21/22 Infants and then they go into two SeniorInfant classes. It gives the children a great start to school life.

I spend a lot of time in September getting thechildren settled in and being happy coming into school. Developing good socialskills is more important at this stage than academic learning. I have 4 groupsin the class-room, red, yellow, green and blue. The children are still sittingwhere they sat the first morning, beside their friends, but are now ready tomove to a new group.

In the first week we concentrate on learning the names ofchildren in their group and then move on to names of all children in the class.Childrenlearn to share, to be kind to others, to let everyone play in the game, tolisten, to put up their hand, to take their turn. We don’t run, kick, bite,push, grab or swing on our chair. Sometimes these have to be said over and overagain, but it is worth it as it makes for a happy school life for all.

Daily Routine

Classroomorganization, routine and timetable are particularly important at infant level.I generally follow the same format every-day. I prepare the class for thechildren, lift down their chairs and put out toys. I collect them from the yardat 8.50am. They have been coming in with me since their third week in school.

They havefree play-time for about 20 minutes. This gives them a chance to interact witheach other socially.

Gaeilge is next. Our schoolfollows the Bun go Barr programme and while this is good, the children are ablefor a lot more. I use a lot of incidental Irish and also end up dipping into“Maith Thú” and “Treo Nua”. At this age children will soak up the language andare well able to use it.

Pre-writing patterns: I prepare a sheet with a pattern,for each child every day. I draw a star on the top left hand corner to show thechild which side to start on. These are very important in preparing the childfor writing. It may take two or three days for them to form the patterncorrectly. I spend time doing it with each child, emphasising left/rightorientation and correct pencil grip. Colouring and cutting activities are alsovery important at this stage as they help to develop fine motor skills, leadingto good hand-writing later.

Language: We spend a lot of time talking!Children are encouraged to share their news every day. We Tweet regularly andwe have just started a class blog. We do lots of rhymes and poems. This year Iscanned in my Nursery Rhyme book and now have each page as a power point slide.The children love saying the rhymes as the pictures appear on the IWB. We playlots of games to develop good listening and language skills. We read lots ofstories, we talk about them, the characters, what they did. We predict whatmight happen next. We dramatise some of the stories and rhymes. We integratethem into art work.

I follow TheJolly Phonics Programme and we spend time working on this every day. Thechildren have a Jolly Phonics copy which they bring home at night to practisethe sounds.

Pre-Reading Activities: We do these activities every day,Monday - Thursday. I have coloured cardboard pockets. The colours correspond tothe class groups. Each pocket holds a card with a picture of an activity. Thecards are rotated daily so each group gets to do each activity every day. Theactivities we are concentrating on at the moment are: matching cards, sequencecards, jig saws and left/right orientation cards.

We use The Sunny Street series in our school.After Halloween I start teaching the words for the first reader. Children havea word-box which they bring home at night. We match the pictures, the word tothe picture and the word to the word. We play snap and memory. I make out sheetof the words which I stick into the front of their Jolly Phonics copy. Thechildren know all the words before they actually start reading the book. Oncethey are reading one book, I give them a sheet with the words for the next bookand this continues to the end of the year. They usually have about 14 sheets ofcommon words. While they are reading their Sunny Street books, I also start thechildren on extra readers. I use a variety of schemes including Sails andOxford Reading Tree. By the end of theyear most children are reading Level 4/5 in the Oxford Reading Tree.

Maths: We follow the Mathemagic Programmeand are introducing Destination Maths this year. Children use lots of concretematerials for maths – cubes, blocks, counters, shapes, money. These help thechildren understand the concepts as they can physically see what they aredoing.

Pre-Writing/Maths Activities: These are aimed at helping the childto develop their fine motor skills and help with their maths. These are also colouredcoded and rotated every day. Activities include peg-boards (I have a set ofpattern cards that the children copy), threading, playdoh and sorting boxes.Later I introduce tangram activities, chain links, pattern blocks.

Music:Children at this age really enjoy music. Theylove to sing and explore various ways of making sounds. We spend time listeningto music and I like to incorporate it into other subjects. For example “Peterand the Wolf” is great for literacy, language work, drama, art. I use “TheRight Note” series, I like the songs and the idea of a theme each month.

We are aCatholic school and follow The Alive-OProgramme.

I cover oneare of SESE and SPHE each day, these subjects are easily integrated into othersubject area. We have done a lot of workon Autumn and hedgehogs over the last couple of weeks and children have madeand painted clay hedgehogs.

We have aGymnastics teacher who teaches PE and I take the class to the computer roomevery Wednesday morning. I must say this is one of the highlight of the week,they can use the mouse now and know how to close a programme.

While I havetaught at every level in the Primary School, I can honestly say that I loveteaching Junior Infants. It can be difficult at times but it is very rewardingto see the progress they make during the year.

Wise words today? Don't be afraid of the tiny humans in Junior Infants, it turns out they're ok really, just really small. Very very small.

I'm a Benebabe!

2011-10-08T17:49:00.001+01:00

So last Thursday I went for a girly night out, nothing crazy cause it was a school night! I went to a Benefit Make Over Master Class! Amazing is an understatement!

I arrived and was given a lovely glass of champagne while chatting to a few other girls! The night was in Brown Thomas and I can honestly say that the Benefit girls couldn't have done more to make the night absolutely perfect! They had the tables laid out with every cosmetic under the sun and the brushes to match. They had a model there to show us how to apply every step and gave us plenty of time to apply it to ourselves.

1. Cleanse. Hugely important! We all know that but how often do we actually do it? Make sure there's no make up left and then grab your cotton pads it's time to

2. Tone. It's more of a moisture prep but it feels so good on your skin! Nice, tight and bright

3. Moisturise.Start with the eye cream. Dab it on gently from the inside out, don't drag it, dragging causes wrinkly bits and we don't like them. Then massage the moisturiser in to the rest of your face, gently in circular motions. I just love that sliky feeling!

4. Prime your skin for the foundation. We had a choice of 3, That Gal, Dr. Feelgood and Porefessional. I''ve used them all at one stage or another and love them equally. I really like That Gal or Dr. Feelgood with Porefessional on top! I love Porefessional, and it's ability to hide pores and unwanted visable lines.

5. Conceal it. I always forget to conceal but thankfully the Benefit girls reminded me of the importance, especially if like me you suffer from really black tired eyes. Erase Paste them away. It's a very sticky concealer that I loved how it looked on, when the girl in Benefit put it on me, but once I got it home I found I just could not get it right. There's a trick to it. Using your brush put a very small bit on the back of you hand and warm it up so it begins to melt a little. Then start from the inside of your eye and work out wards again using the brush. The brush stops you from dragging your skin and causing wrinkles.

6. Foundation. Take my advice and the advice of the Benebabes, use a foundation brush. It stops wastage of your product and doesn't drag the skin so you keep a more youthful look for longer! No wrinkles needed! Start from the center of the face and work your way out to the hairline. In gentle even brush strokes. No need to rush it after all. Playsticks pretty much does it all, great coverage and fits in your handbag!

7. Powder it. I love Hello Flawless for so many reasons! It's like the 2 in 1 for us make up addicts! Use the sponge (that comes with it) or a foundation brush for all over coverage! Followed by the powder brush to that shine free naturally sheer look!

8. Cheeky time. We used Cha Cha Tint. I had reservations I won't lie. I had bought it a while ago and found it quite tough to apply but after the lessons on Thursday I LOVE IT! And it's not as complicated to apply as I thought! All you've to do is dab, and I mean dab a little on the top of the cheek bone. Gently dab it towards the hairline and up towards the corner of the eye. Don't over do it. It's bright and you can always add more if you need it. If you do happen to over do it, apply more powder to cover it again! My other favourites include Sugar Bomb, La Bamba, Dandelion and Coralista. You just can't go wrong.

9. Illuminate. Benefit are probable best known for High Beam. And as much as I love it I also love to shake things up a bit and try new products. So lately at home I've been using When Girl meets Pearl. Then Thursday night I tried something out of this world! Watts Up! It's a new product, out officially this weekend but we got to try it on Thursday and even buy it early! So I did! Love it! Felt like my cheeks were positively glowing afterwards. Using your fingers this time, rub the Watts Up along the top of your cheek bones and gently dab it right into the skin to give it a soft glowing dewy effect. If you think you need it feel free to pop some more Hello Flawless powder on top again. It's so soft and looks amazing. I challenge anyone to say they don't like it, and mean it.

Obviously the class didn't end there but I don't want to over simulate you so you'll have to wait til next time to see what we did with eye make up, and colour! You'll be amazed!

Wise words today? Take your time doing your make up, go through each step, don't skip any! And have fun!

Inspiration in all the right places

2011-09-13T22:05:00.000+01:00

Lately I've been thinking about what makes a good teacher, scratch that, a Great teacher. It didn't take me long to think of the inspirational teachers I had when I was in school, in primary school more so then second level. I don't think this is anything to do with the teachers in secondary I just think in primary you get to know the teachers better and they have the chance to make a bigger impact on your life. Which is exactly what my teachers in primary school did for me.
There were two in particular that I think made me the teacher that I am today. I'd like to think that they know already how they've shaped me as a person as well as a teacher. I hope they do. I had one teacher in 3rd and 4th class that gave me something that I can never thank her enough for. She gave me my love of Irish. Before this Irish was just something we had to do in school and as homework. I couldn't say much and even though I can't honestly say I hated it I didn't like it. But in 3rd class Irish became something to look forward to. It became the lesson I enjoyed most, the first part of my homework I did when I got home and the subject I wanted to excel in. No matter what.

As a teacher she not only gave me Irish she also showed me another side to teachers in general. Up until then I'd been in total awe of them, afraid of teachers unsure of myself and generally avoiding saying anything in case I was wrong. The idea of being in trouble with a teacher back then was beyond terrifying. This teacher showed me it was ok to make mistakes and be wrong sometimes. I had finally found a teacher I could talk to and didn't scare me. Of course the other teachers I had in school til then weren't scary but I guess I was too young to understand that one. Being able to talk to a teacher is a gift I'll never forget, especially in 4th class. My mother wasn't well and the worry was taking its toll on me and my school work. Thankfully the understanding of one teacher made all the difference to me and things got much better. For that I can never thank her enough.

Growing up I used to play being a teacher, I taught my teddys all about maths and Irish. I wanted to teach from a very early age. In secondary school I did transition year. I did my work experience in my old primary school with the learning support teacher. It was here that I realised that I could be a good teacher. This remarkable lady showed me another side of compassion in an educator, one that is born in you. It's not something that be taught or learned. It needs to be found deep inside. Over the course of the two weeks work experience I found that compassion and learnt so much more about myself then I ever thought possible. She was a real inspiration to me then and still is now. I was lucky enough to spend time in the learning support rooms during the summer months doing odd jobs for her and learning on my feet.

Going back to this school in June of 09 as a trainee teacher facing into my first teaching practice I was of course nervous. But the support that these two teachers gave me was beyond the call of duty. I felt at home at once. I gained a new found confidence in my skills and learnt invaluable lessons during the four and a half weeks I was there. The most important ones coming from these amazing passionate teachers. Enjoy it! And they were right, with my new self esteem in the classroom I really did enjoy it. And I can't thank them enough for that lesson.

Wise words today? Think about what kind of teacher you want to be, who inspires you? Did you ever tell them what they've done for you?

5 Top Ways to get to you your New Class (guest post)

2011-09-05T12:04:00.000+01:00

Todays guest writer is Julie Meighan, it's her second time writing for us on Anseo A Mhuinteoir. Julie Meighan isa lecturer in Early Years Education at the Cork Institute of Technology. She has over 15 yearsexperience of teaching Drama to children.

My Top Five Drama Games for“Getting To Know You”

Everyone should back at school now and teachers have to get know eachother and some children maybe in new classes and have to get to know theirclassmates. What better way to do this than using drama games especially thegetting to know you games which are very effective and fun way to rememberchildren’s names. The following are my top five getting to know you games forprimary school children however these games can also be used successfully withboth teenagers and adults.

Game: Orders

Difficulty rating: **

Minimum number of participants: 6

Resources needed: Clearspace

Instructions: This is avery good warm up game it is also very good for getting the children to work togather as a team and for getting to know one another. The leader tells everyoneto get into a straight line without talking, making a sound or moving theirmouth. When this is done the leader asks the group to get them in a straightline but this time they must do by order of age - in most groups the childrenwill all be around the same age so they have to find out what month they wereborn or if more than likely children have been born on the same month they mustfigure out what date they are born and put it in order that way. They can getin order according to height, alphabetically by the first names if they havethe same first names they can be alphabetically by the surnames. They mustremember they can't make any noise or move their mouths they must only uses nonverbal body language.

Game: Pass the shake

Difficulty rating: **

Minimum number of participants: 4

Resources needed: Clearspace

Instructions: All thechildren stand in a circle. One child volunteers to start and then he starts toshake a part of his body for example his hand, or leg, or head. He calls the name of some else in the circleand he throws the shake to the child he made contact with. The other childcatches the shake and changes it to shaking another part of his body he throwsthe shake to next child by calling his/her name. The game carries on untileveryone in the circle has got a chance. Each child must shake a different partof their bodies so it gets more difficult as it comes to an end. This also anexcellent activity for developing observation and co-operation skills.

Game: The name game

Difficulty rating: *

Minimum number of participants: 3

Resources needed: Clearspace

Instructions: This is anexcellent warm up game but it is also very useful if the class doesn't knoweach other very well. The class stands in a circle and the leader throws theball to a child. The child must say introduce themselves to the rest of thegroup. However instead of just saying their names the must say a word thatdescribes themselves before their name. The description word must start withthe same letter as the child's name.

Example

Hi I'm awesomeAnnie

Hi I'm beautifulBetty

Hi I'm carefulCallum

And so on.

Game: Getting to know you

Difficulty rating: *

Minimum number of participants: 2

Resources needed: Clearspace

Instructions: Divide thegroup into pairs. Each pair speaks to each other for five minutes. They mustfind out five things about their partner that they didn't know before the startof the conversation. When the five minutes is up they return to the group andthey tell them the 5 things they have learned about their partner. This is agood getting to know activity for a group that don't already know each other.However this activity works quite effectively if the group is familiar witheach other but they have to use their imagination a little more.

Game: Crossing the circle

Difficulty rating: *

Minimum number of participants: 6

Resources needed: Clearspace

Instructions: Get all thechildren to stand in a circle. Go around the circle and everyone says their name. Then theleader/teacher calls out two names and they cross the circle and so on. Whenthey understand what to do the leader gives them different ways of walkingacross the circle:

Like a toddler
Like a frail old man
Like a lion
Like a mouse
Like a roller blade
Like a ballerina
Like Michael Jackson
Like a rock star
Like a princess
Like superman
Like a rally car.

For more ideasto use in the Drama class you can buy “Drama Start” by Julie Meighan inpaperback hereor you can buy the an ebook version here. Insert thefollowing code ZJ49R to get 20%of the ebook price.

Or of course you can enter the competition to win a copy of Julie's book Drama Start simply by telling us your top ways to get to know your new class. All you have to do is leave a comment below to enter! Don't forget to leave your name and twitter handle (or facebook page) so you can be contacted if you win!! You have a few days to enter so get your thinking caps on, the winners will be picked on Wednesday!!

Go on you know you want to!!

Wise words today? Try some of Julie's games and ideas, they really do work wonders when getting to know your pupils better!!

New Beginnings

2011-09-03T00:18:00.000+01:00

September first 1990 and little Hellie is going to big school for the first time. And like most other kids I don't remember it. We've all heard horror stories of infants crying on day one, screaming for mommy and refusing to go inside the door. I'd like to think I didn't cry, I'd like to think I had more sense but I doubt it. I've never known me to have sense yet so it's very unlikely that at 5 years old I had the cop on not to cry. I do remember my teacher though. Mrs O Connor was the nicest teacher there. But I'm sure every junior infant thinks that? I do remember being terrified of the senior infant teacher though.... Anyway.We were given a penny jelly (as they were back then whenever we said "Anseo" during the roll call. Being the shy retiring type that I am I hated saying aloud in school for fear someone would see me and pay attention to me so I didn't say "Anseo" for months. Until Mrs O Connor brought in cola bottle jellies....my all time favourite (and still are in case anyone feels the need to spoil me rotten!?!) and I wanted one. I really wanted on. So I said "Anseo" (for the record that's how my blog got it's name) Things got better but I still hated speaking aloud in class and teachers used tell my parents I always had this worried look about me. A little like Cookie Monster......

Poor Cookie Monster!! I remember my sisters first day at school a lot better....possibly because I was 9 at the time. She had to be bribed to go in, with a Polly Pocket. For future reference it is NOT a good idea to bribe a child to go to school, for the simple reason that she expected a Polly Pocket every day she went to school. Now I'll admit bribing me with a cola bottle to say Anseo worked but I'm special and love cola bottles. A toy to go to school is a whole different ball game and isn't encouraged. I'm sure Mammy Anseo would agree.

After seeing the Junior infants this year and hearing from some of the parents I'm sure everyone is doing just fine! I saw a small boy screaming on Thursday because he didn't want to leave school, he wanted to stay there and play with his new friends. Happy Times indeed!!

Wise words today? Don't forget to bring your lunch, school and learning is hungry work, and cola bottles just aren't considered a real lunch! Unfortunately.....

Weight loss Challenge 2011 (another update)

2011-08-31T13:00:00.000+01:00

It's on. It's hard. I miss Chocolate. But I'm ok! I've walked a lot. I've eaten less and I've been losing weight. In total I've lost 4.5 pounds. Not much but the next weigh in is tonight and I'm very excited cause I've done something extra to lose weight.

I've JOINED A GYM!!

I know, it sounds mad but then again I am so lets just move on....
I joined on Monday, spent 90 mins working out using the treadmill and the bike machine. The bike machine hurts like hell! I couldn't sit down afterwards and still find my backside very tender. But you didn't need to know that. Did you?
Still I spent Monday night feeling great about myself for doing it. And made an appointment with a personal trainer to set out a workout. Great I thought. I was actually looking forward to it. See my sanity levels hit an all time low.

So Tuesday and the trainer arrived, all in good time. I was still sore from Monday and it was about to get worse. She's a nice girl, very chatty and really helped. She made me lovely tough program, along with a report card that I've to fill in every day I do my program so she can keep track of it. As a teacher I like that...the responsiblity falls on me. Practice what you preach Múinteoir Hellie!

So since Mr Paul McDonagh insisted that I share it, here it is. 10 mins on each cardio machine every day. Unless the bike continues to kill me, in which case I can swap the time to another machine. The days I'm doing weights (Monday and Thursday she says) I'm to do ones to make my legs (quads and hamstrings) stronger as well my upper and lower back. Stretches too! I was with her for 2 hours. Yes 120 long hellish minutes. That said I did enjoy it and think I'm going to do really well there. I won't have a choice I'm told. little miss trainer lady has another appointment with me in 6 weeks to check up on me. ;) One thing I will say, to anyone thinking about opening a gym, it's a great idea to put individual tvs in front of every cardio machine, keeps a girl occupied when she can watch Glee/Friends while working out. See that's the way to keep me there!

On a side note....the crosstrainer is a dreadful machine. I tried it out last Sunday in Loughrea with Gavin and found it almost fun to bouncing around and spend ages singing out loud! Turns out my calling it the Tigger Machine was slightly off. You Are Not meant to bounce on it, it is to simulate walking and your heels should never leave it. Still it's def a Tigger Machine!!

The Most Wonderful thing about Tiggers is, I'm the only one!

Wise words today? Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels.

Lazy Bones

2011-08-20T15:03:00.000+01:00

I've tweeted a lot about my weight loss challenge but I haven't had chance to come here to blog about it while I was away on holidays!! So just to update on my healthy eating lark! I lost 2 pounds on my first week and again on week 2 another 2 pounds gone!! So thats 4 pounds gone in 2 weeks!! Delighted!

So I've been following a point system with Weight Watchers, cutting out the bad (but yummy food) hasn't been easy. I love my Tikka Masala and 4 Star but I've managed it. Mostly. Although a chinese sneaked home with us last night after the holidays! But I guess a long walk made up for it! I hope! It's not easy, I won't lie there have been days when I would just love to give the whole thing up and pig out. That said I like to think I can see where the 4 pounds are gone from and I'd love to be a smaller me :) Not a shorter me....just a smaller me! It helps that Gavin and my family have all been really good and helpful and supportive! As great as all that is I do think it's the points system that is the biggest help, it shows me what foods I shouldn't have and which ones I can treat myself with! Like Curly Wurlys are just 3 points! Great treat!! I also find that I have to walk and exercise both for the activity points as well as for the weight loss. You lose more after activity and I do see that now compared to other years....

I've learnt a lot; such as BBQing food is healthier then most other ways of cooking! Great stuff cause in our house WE LOVE TO BBQ!! In case you hadn't heard! And I'm considering joining a gym....I'm like a whole new me really! Let's hope I can keep it up as it really is a huge challenge for me!

Wise words today? Low fat yogurt is my friend, it's going into my curry tonight instead of cream and full fat yumminess!

Projects and Challenges

2011-08-03T16:04:00.001+01:00

I love days off, probably a little too much but it's true I really do love a good day off! There is nothing like sitting in all cozy on the sofa with a good book, a book you just can't put down! I'd like to think that was a valid reason to take English lit in UCC, a fab excuse to read! Right? I enjoyed it either way! That love of reading hasn't changed over the last few years and I still love reading. So after getting a Kindle from Gav for Christmas my book collection grew.....and grew..... And finding others with a kindle, people who probably use it in many different ways, with different tastes was amazing! So in a fit of madness I decided we needed somewhere to chat other then twitter, and set up a forum for discussion! kindlersbookclub.freeforums.org I'd love it if you joined in the chat, having a Kindle isn't a priority or even a necessity, all you need is a love of reading and books to join in!

It's a great project to keep me busy and I'm enjoying seeing people getting involved and sharing what they read and trying out new things! Not to mention, it's a great start for us primary teachers on the theme of literacy for the next school year! Practice what you preach and all that!

Speaking of practicing what I preach, I've landed myself into a tough challenge! I've entered into a competition...a weight loss comp. I won't say against who but I'll say it's a personal competition with €100 prize at the end. So by 23rd of September 2011 there will be a weigh in to see who wins the €100 and I want it. I make no bones about it, I want that prize. It turns out I've got a serious competitive side and don't like losing! So if there's anyone with some suggestions out there or offers of exercise buddies locally I'd be delighted!

Feel free to email, tweet or comment here to offer help and support! I'm going to need it! Meanwhile I'll keep ye all up to date with my progress!!

Wise words today? Stop eating, walk more and keep reading! Pref not books about weight loss though!!

July in General

2011-07-27T17:55:00.000+01:00

Wow I'm tired. I thought summer school would never end this year. Not that I don't enjoy it but it may have been a tad silly to try and survive getting a bus up and down every day!! That's 6 hours a day on a bus for 3 hours teaching....this is why I'm exhausted. And also why both the blog and twitter account has been so quiet, no time for rambling when so much travelling to do.

Firstly the TEFL blog....Thanks to everyone who took the time to read and comment! Especially Michelle, who was very good at reweeting for me! I'd have loved to have kept the blog going for the full three weeks but there were a few things going against that plan. The biggest issue being the awkwardness of bringing the laptop on the bus every day. That said however awkward it was on the bus the walk to and from the bus with it was worse....backache central. To add to that the kids I started out with at the start of the week weren't the same kids I had at the end of the week. Every day I was getting a new class, the kids in my class were improving and so moving up a level and there were new people coming into my class then from lower levels so the blog became awkward in a lot of ways. Something I'm 100% certain wouldn't happen in a normal class setting where the aim isn't to move up levels as fast as possible!! But for the few days that we did blog they really loved it and loved getting comments from everyone so once again THANK YOU!!

As for the teaching part? It went well, lots of new lessons learnt by both the kids and teacher!! My teaching partner this year was Nicola, a currant Hibernia student, so we'd loads to talk about!! I hope she's surviving the Gaeltacht in this weather..... It was great being back with so many familiar faces, in a staffroom among friends old and new. And of course seeing some of the kids I've taught before in elementary move up to higher levels! I'll take the credit there for the foundation work guys!

Had a great tour as well this year to Powerscourt and Glendalough, the sun was out, it was a real summers day!! Loved it!! Huge improvement on my trip there last year in the rain so thanks for that Mr. Weatherman!! Just a pity none of my tours involved a shopping trip....

<--------Here I am at Glendalough!!

Wise words today? Buses are great but the early morning ones are exhausting!!

We're all going on our Summer Holidays?

2011-07-03T18:40:00.001+01:00

So it's now July and every primary teacher in the country is enjoying a well deserved rest! Well mostly. There are a few nut jobs, including yours truly, who's working during the holidays!
Yep you guessed it tomorrow is the 4th of July...which means I'm BACK! Back to TEFL teaching in Moyle Park for my 4th year. I'm now a experienced teacher there! Weird huh? This year you can expect the usual blog posts here about how I'm getting on as a teacher there but now you can also expect blog posts from my students. I'll be sure to tweet the links as soon as we've got them up and running. The idea is to give them the chance to show off their english to native speakers in a different manner so I'd be only delighted if you would PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE comment???

Usually I have a basic class for beginners or the level just above it so be nice....and comment lots! They have to keep a daily journal that's inspected and corrected by me so some of those entries will be posted along with some that the whole class have written together. It really would mean a lot to them if there were lots of comments....

I'll be there for 3 weeks this year. I won't be doing the final week of the course. I'm hoping to spend some time this summer enjoying my first real summer off in a long long long time. My first TEFL summer I was applying for Hibernia, year 2 I was off to the Gaeltacht at the end of the third week and last year I was up the walls with study for the final exams. There were just 2 weeks between the end of the summer course and the start of the exams. This year I'm going to ENJOY the summer! Trips to Kerry, trips home to the family before my sis heads off to the states and trips to Galway. And if I'm real lucky even a holiday? Fingers crossed for the big lotto win!

So any suggestions for things to do this summer are welcomed! Me and the camera really wanna have some fun this year!

Wise words today? Keep doing the lotto for greater chances of the best holiday ever!

And now for something totally DIFFERENT!

2011-06-27T17:30:00.000+01:00

Ok so it's summer holidays, or near enough to them so for a change of pace here I'm gonna try a game! If our classes get to enjoy learning through games then why can't we?

So here's the idea!
I'll post a pic taken of Rory's Story Cubes all mixed up. The first comment should start the story and and second one should continue it while using the same selection of cubes. And so on and so forth! Simple idea but I'm hoping that lots of comments will make this into a weird and wonderful story that we can be proud of!

Ok so the cubes are there, who's brave enough to go first?

Wise words today? Give it a try! We can't expect our pupils to try to be creative in their writing if we don't do it ourselves!

Super Sub and the Junior Experience

2011-06-20T14:54:00.001+01:00

As a sub I'm had my fair share of all the classes and levels in school. Some I've loved others I've found harder. Junior infants for me was a tough one. I didn't have much experience with them so I asked a local junior infant teacher if I could spend a day with her in class and see how things should be done. Best idea I had all year. In the one day I spent in with her observing and getting my hands dirty I learnt more then I did in the infant ed class! They're still not an easy class level but I really enjoyed the day with them! We spent a while doing Jolly Phonics the letters C and K. It felt a lil Seasme Street for a while but once I realised that the kids were enjoying the song and rhyme I pretty much got over my feelings for silliness and got really into it!

Watch the video if like me you're unsure of the Jolly Phonics program. It's a good place to start and don't worry the teachers manual is a huge help too!! Maths was something I really enjoyed teaching the JIs! Using a large plastic copy of the maths book we were able to do the maths page together with some of the kids coming up to the board to help do the maths (whiteboard markers rub off easily so keep a supply of them). It was fun and I really enjoyed seeing the class grasp the new numbers! I was surprised however when some of the class didn't enjoy colouring in the pictures. I loved colouring at their age and if I'm honest I still do....I was honestly shocked when a large chunk of the boys and a fair amount of the girls refused to colour in the pictures and just scribbled. Kids have really changed since I was one!

Lunch as another interesting experience in the JI classroom. They sure make a huge mess! We discussed the healthy food and revised the Irish for the each food type úll, oraiste, arán, ceapaire etc was fun but messy! In between each lesson they sing a song or rhyme was is very sweet until I realised they have a limited supply of them and I had heard them all a few times over.....I even found myself singing them in the car and around the house afterwards. Which I'm sure isn't healthy!

The JIs go home earlier then the rest of the school, as do the SIs and that hour that the teacher has no kids in the classroom is a golden hour. It's time to reflect on the day and plan for the next day. It's also needed to clean up the massive mess that a big group of Junior Infants can make in a day....from lunch mess and general mess the junior infant classroom needs its own sweeping brush! But I guess you can't expect 30 odd 5 year olds to be clean and tidy! Who'd have thought it eh? Hard to believe that they'll be Senior Infants next September....The big kids on the block in the infant yard!

Wise words today? Try a day in Junior Infants, they seem scary but deep down they're not so bad! Practice makes perfect!

Drama in School- the good, the funny and the ones that will bring all the giggles!!

2011-06-02T22:15:00.000+01:00

Julie Meighan is a lecturer in Drama in Education at the Cork Institute of Technology. She has taught Drama to all age groups and levels. She is the author of “Drama Start”. Follow her on twitter @EarlyYearsDrama

Today I'm going to talk about the use of Drama games in the primary classroom. Drama games are a perfect tool to use in any classroom as they can be adapted to suit multiple learning styles, ability levels and age groups. They are extremely simple to use and they cover a variety of educational goals. The games can include activities that explore creative drama, mime, movement, voice and storytelling to name but a few. They not only help improve self confidence, build trust and develop creativity but they can have a profound effect on literary development, academic success and social interaction. Games can be fun, challenging and rewarding not only for the students but the teachers themselves.

The following are some warm up Drama games that I found work very effectively in the primary classroom.

Octopus

Age: 4 years +
Minimum number of participants: 3
Resources needed: Clear space.
Other Benefits: This game can be used to work on co-operation and teamwork skills.
Instructions: One child is chosen or volunteers to be the octopus and stands in the middle of the clear space. The rest of the children should line up along one side of the space. When the octopus shouts out “Octopus!” the other children have to run past the octopus and try to reach the other side without being caught. Children that are caught become part of the octopus’s arms. They are not allowed to let go of each other’s hands. Only the children at the ends of the octopus’s arms can catch people. As the game progresses, the octopus becomes longer and longer. The game becomes more difficult, as more and more children become part of the octopus’s arms. It ends when all the children are caught.

Prison Break

Age: 4 years +
Minimum number of participants: 3
Resources needed: Clear space.
Other Benefits: This is a warm up game that children really enjoy. It also can be used to improve listening and co-ordination skills.
Instructions: Children all line up on one side of the clear space. One student is chosen, or volunteers, to be the guard on duty and stands in the centre of the room. The rest of the children are prisoners. When the guard shouts out “Prison break!” all the prisoners must run to the other side of the space. If the guard catches a prisoner they also become a guard. Eventually there will be more guards then prisoners. The last prisoner becomes the first guard on duty for the next game.

Fruit Basket

Age: 4 years+
Minimum number of participants: 7
Resources needed: Clear space and a chair for each student – if you do not have chairs you can use sheets of paper or cushions.
Other Benefits: This is a well-known game which can also be used very effectively as a listening game or an observation game.
Instructions: All the children sit in circle on a chair or a cushion. The teacher chooses three different fruits and goes around the circle giving each person the name of a fruit, in a particular order, for example, apple, orange, banana. A child is then chosen, or volunteers, to go into the centre of the circle. His/Her chair is taken away. The child in the centre calls out the name of one of the three fruits. If the child in the centre says apple then all the apples change place, if s/he says banana, all the bananas change place and if s/he says orange, all the oranges change places. If s/he says fruit basket then everyone changes places. The child who is left without a chair goes into the centre for the next round.
Variations: There are lots of variations to this game and you can change the names to go with a specific theme. Fruit basket – apple, orange, and banana –could be replaced by: Barnyard – chicken, pig and cow, Zoo – elephant, giraffe and tiger, Circus – clown, ringmaster and acrobat, Ocean – fish, mermaid and shark.

Advice for teachers

Start with very simple games. Games that they might already know like ”What is the time Mr Wolf?”. Once you have build a sense of trust and teamwork begin focus on more complex and exploratory games or games that require some personal involvement.

Never ask a group of students to play a game that would not play yourself.

Watch the language used. Avoiding terms like ‘play’ or ‘games’ and focus more on words like ‘explore’, ‘challenge’ and ‘participate’.

Be very clear with your instructions. Ask for feedback from the students to make sure they understand what is involved and what is required of each participant.

Be enthusiastic as the students will be drawn to energy and will get excited about the prospect of participating in the activity.

Give a demonstration wherever possible.

Involve yourself in the game. Don’t give them instructions and go sit in a corner of the room watching or correcting.

If you wish to read more ideas about the different games that can be used with primary children, please go to Drama Start and enter the coupon JG87H and you will receive a copy of the book for a special price of €1-50

Wise words today? Hellie Anseo (hehe) with Wise Words, I bought this book a while back and really do love it, have it on my Kindle and on the iPhone so I always have it with it! I can't recommend it enough!!

Thanks again for the post Julie

It's a Hard-Knock Life

2011-05-31T18:06:00.001+01:00

What a week! Oh my God! Ever since the conference in Thurles just about two weeks ago things have been going pear shaped! Obviously I loved every minute of the conference, that goes without saying! I'm still on a IT high with loads of teaching ideas buzzing around my head. I'm still amazed at how great the whole day went and the amount of work that went into it by Pam and co. But as I as posted in previous posts here my car broke down on the 13th while I was en route to a days subbing before heading to Thurles for the CESImeet. I haven't had time to post since then between one thing and another.
It took about 10 days to get my car totally repaired between the clutch, brakes and radiator (which was broken on the tow truck) plus the service poor Penny Lane needed. Well over a week later and I was still without a car and discovering just how hard it is to get places without my car. Grand I walked a lot and I'm sure the exercise did my good. However I hate public transport, buses would be grand if they arrived on time, had a proper timetable and went places I actually needed to get to. Also most buses I encountered needed cleaning badly. The trains were much better....take note Bus Eireann.

So getting my car back was very exciting. Even though it cost me an arm and a leg to repair but I figured it could have been worse and lets face it Penny Lane isn't the youngest car in the world so getting her all better was worth it. Had her back a few days and I'd planned on treating her to a bath. Once I'd filled her belly with petrol. I was to drive to Loughrea on Friday night and since it was miserable out I opted against the bath time treat and just filled her up. No point in washing her when it was raining and miserable and muddy out. Getting to Loughrea isn't the worst drive but it def wasn't the best one I've ever done. I was about 5 mins away from the house when some idiot guy drove into the side of my car. I won't go into details but needless to say that was just about all I needed 4 days after getting my car from the garage.

I've been onto the insurance and it's all going to be sorted, got my repair (again) quote today. But the hassle of being without the car again this week may just drive me slightly mad.

So these things generally come in threes so what's next? What can my car do next?

So in honor of a bad week I'm sharing one of my all time favourite musical pieces. Can you guess which one? As a child I always wanted to be Annie but since I can't actually sing in tune I'd better just enjoy the video here!

Wise words today? Make friends with the local garages, who knows when you'll need them or even how often!

ICT in Education conference, Thurles

2011-05-16T18:28:00.000+01:00

Eugh the alarm is going to go off in a few mins I stupidly thought to myself. I decided to get up and be over prepared and start getting ready for the conference a wee early. I was still half asleep and didn't notice that it was still pitch black outside and I was getting dressed a good 3 hours too early. Back to bed.....
When the alarm finally went off I was too asleep to want to get up! I stumbled down to have breakfast and met @Documentally aka Christian Payne! Since I was without my Penny Lane still I was lucky enough to have good friends Mags and Ban on hand with space in the back seat for lil ole me! On our arrival it was lovely to meet up with lots of twitter friends, some of whom I'd met at the conference in Port Laois others I was meeting for the first time. All of whom I really enjoyed meeting.

The keynote talk was with @Documentally/Christian Payne, the talk was live streamed and recorded for anyone who missed it! Just click on the link. Christian is such an inspiring speaker, I came away with a lot of new ideas, thoughts and a general feel good vibe! Ciaran McCormack added to this by telling us all about Fis and his online book club with a twist! The Fis Book Club is where children can review books on video and upload them to share with other members! What a great way to start the conference!!

The first talk I went to was with @Donenda about the uses of Edmodo. What on earth is Edmodo I hear you ask? Well Edmodo looks an awful lot like a certain social network called (I think??) Facebook? Well Edmodo has its differences. Firstly it's education based, it's more like a mini social network for a class or school. So that one admin or teacher can leave posts, comments etc for the pupils. Looks great for class use and doing extra curricular stuff at home. I can also see its uses in setting homework, once kids and parents get into the swing of checking it every night!

Next up was my talk about blogging! With the help of Nigel Lane of course! So we had our talk in IT Tipp and people actually turned up to see us! There were a few questions, people clapped and seemed really happy! To be honest I was surprised enough to be asked to do a talk at the conference and I was even more surprised when people turned up. I was really happy with how it went. And I loved working with Nigel, he's such a nice guy and made it so easy to go in and give this presentation even when I was a wee nervous! So if you're reading this thanks Nigel! I've put a copy of my presentation here on the blog so you can it if you missed it! But if you did miss it shame on you for not coming to see me and say HI!!
Blogging Conference

It was lunch time after that!! A well earned break and rest for us! And more time to chat with friends and meet new people!
After lunch I went to a presentation by Stephan Howel, @Saorog on how to use Scratch, click the link to download it. It's an amazing system that allows you to create your own animations and games. Would be great to use with a 5th or 6th class right into secondary level. I had great fun with it and Stephan made it all so easy! He then connected his kinect (from the xbox) to the laptop so we were able to move and see ourselves as the scratch cat on the screen. Very cool!! We had great fun playing around with the kinect and scratch! I've downloaded the software (for free) to get some practice in so that I too can make such games as Stephan has done!! I'm really looking forward to having fun with it and I MAY (not promising anything) share some of my creations here with you!

After a wonderful talk from Dermot Casey it was time to call it a day....With my brain on overload and full of new ideas I said a quick goodbye to some friends. A quick hello to others as I showed off the kindle (buts another story for another day) and went to the train station, with the help of Mags and Ban again! I was shattered with loads of ideas and I couldn't stop talking....Poor Gavin!! Can't wait to go back again next year!
Thanks again to everyone who made it a great day for us teachers! Thanks Pam, Mike and Bernie and everyone else who I have mentioned! I had a ball!!

Wise words today? Go to ICTEDU next year, I'll be there!

Twitter Art Project 2011

2011-05-15T18:12:00.001+01:00

Just a quick post to share some of the Twitter Art Project work from this year! We were shown some of the hard work on display at the Thurles Conference this weekend and I loved it!

Of course every school put in lots of work as did Fred (@fboss) and Simon (@simonmlewis) who organised it! Mr Lane's class were involved and did a lot of work some of which was shown at the conference! Mr Lane was naturally delighted and couldn't wait to tell his 6th class!

Best of all in my humble opinion was this introduction the art project! Talk about starting the looking and responding strand early!! This is Bernie's (@topgold) 3 year old daughter telling everyone about the art work she's looking at! Well worth a look!

Wise words today? Enjoy art! No where what form it comes in!

Friday the 13th.....

2011-05-15T17:47:00.000+01:00

So just 2 days ago I discovered the true meaning of Friday the 13th. Normally I don't believe in bad luck coming with Friday the 13th but this time around was a little different. Anyone who was at the conference in Thurles will know that my car decided to pack up early on Friday morning. Well the clutch went while I was on a roundabout....not fun let me assure you. So the days subbing I was en route to was suddenly off the cards as my new plan for the day was now how was I going to get home from the middle of nowhere and still get to Thurles?? Thankfully while I was stuck on the roundabout, a lovely man from Laois county council spotted me and towed me to his office in Port Laois (where I was stuck, just to make life more complicated of course!) Makes me glad that I paid extra on insurance for road side assistance and my Penny Lane was back on top of a tow truck. I'm starting to think she just enjoys being towed places.

So now my car was heading back towards home to a mechanic and I had to get to thurles...ALL ABOARD!! Choo choo! I can't remember the last time I was on a train but I really enjoyed it! It was kinda nice to sit back with my book and just enjoy the ride, lovely and quiet journey. On arrival I went to the hotel, not the best one in the world but was ok for what it was. I was only there for a few hours sleep really. I went to Tipp IT to give Pam a hand with some odd jobs around ready for the conference! I packed the goody bags and made some easels to display the Twitter Project Artwork on. I'm a busy little bee once I get going!

Friday night was much better however. It was the CESI meet!! Something I'd been looking forward to for ages. Mags (of CESI fame) sure knows how to throw a great night. We learnt loads, met lots of new people and got to try out some new Apps thanks to some very wise people! As any good Friday night should be we somehow (?) ended up back in the hotel bar....there were a large group of us from the CESI meet staying in the one hotel so we gathered in the bar there to continue the CESI chat! During the meet we'd been asked to try a TWUIZ, which basically means a quiz on twitter. Great says I! I'll just download the QR Reader app to (since the questions asked meant we needed the reader) and off I go. I got the answers wrote them all down and was ready to hear if I won...Silly Hellie somehow forgot the twitter part of the twuiz and didn't tweet the answers until I was reminded to! Still I got there just in time and although I didn't come 1st I did get 2nd place!! I came away beaming with a lovely pink mouse! And a round of applause and giggles!

It was late when I got to bed and considering how early it was when I had gotten up and left the house I was shattered....After much consideration and indecision from myself I finally picked out my outfit and was able to fall into bed after a quick chat to my Gavin. It was a sleep I well needed and enjoyed so much so that I don't have words to describe it!

Wise words today? Beware of Friday the 13th, it took my car and it won't be long coming back again!

THE EXAMS (May 2011)

2011-05-11T16:46:00.003+01:00

As a new treat today Katie has agreed to post her take on the Oct 09 cohorts Hibernia exams. Katie finished the exams last Friday just after noon and is currently enjoying her new found freedom, brought about by the lack of study. She, like the rest of her class worked hard and deserve this break from assignments, study and all the stresses that Hibernia brings into our lives. Thanks for posting Katie and CONGRATS again on the end of the exams!!

The Exams. Where to begin? Actually, they should probably be written like this, THE EXAMS, because THE FEAR of them is that huge! The scariest part is that 18 months of hard work (for most of us far longer than this, preparing for Hibernia interview etc) all boils down to 3 days. 9 hours in which we need to write everything we’ve learned. Except; it’s usually not everything that we know, because the questions always throw some curveballs.

This year was no different to any other of Hibernia exams. After a sleepless night on Tuesday of course, we began on Wednesday with Gaeilge. Now after the morning from hell, where traffic nearly prevented me from reaching the exams on time, walking into that huge exam hall was actually pretty calming. That is until I opened the paper of course. After skimming through the questions I began the most silent of freak outs. I’d decided to begin with Filíocht as I knew it the best; O’Direáin and O’Doirnín and a poem each were deeply embedded in my brain. However the question did not allow for this, for the first time in Gaeilge Hibernia exam history they asked for only one poet, O’Direáin and three, yes that’s THREE of his poems. The trouble with this question also, was that nearly everyone read it differently. The way it was phrased was very unclear and we are still waiting for some clarification on this. The rest of the paper was as expected, which was quite good!

Thursday we moved onto Teaching Foundations (after a really long sleep on Weds night – I was wrecked!!). This paper is hard to write about because everyone picks different topic. I risked it which I would not recommend. I did sacraments for religion (went really well), history of education (went really well), and finally sociology (a total complete and utter disaster). I was so lost with the sociology that I actually left the exam hall early. Something that I had really not intended to do at all but looking at the rubbish I had written was upsetting me. I left Croke Park and walked to the bus stop while on the phone to whoever I could reach telling them how unfair the sociology question was. It was amazing how much better I felt when everyone agreed with me!!! Several large cups of tea and bars of chocolate over my favourite Audrey Hepburn movie later I felt much better about the whole thing and ready to face into the next day.

Friday. A day I have always loved because of the association with Crunchie bars (yum!!); however Friday 6^th May 2011 will always have a special meaning. The question on everyone’s lips that morning was “will PE come up?” The Oct 09 group were the first not to be given a PE assignment. PE had never come up on the teaching methodologies paper before. The signs all pointed towards it. Many of us risked it. And I’m very happy to say that it PAID OFF!!! I don’t remember much else about the paper except that I just kept writing and writing until my hand would not work anymore, lots of practical tp examples etc etc. The buzz of joy and excitement around the exam hall from about 12.25 onwards was amazing. The feeling of achievement at 12.30 was even better. There were people who could not stop smiling, they were people crying and lots of cheering and hugs!

From then on it was celebration time: An amazing lunch with my entire class, a lot of drinks, onto the pub and more drinks. Then I went home and slept. For 15 hours. A new record I think!

So what advice do I have? These exams are probably the most stressful time, maybe even worse than tp! For me, the key was all the help I had. Work with those in your class, I couldn’t have done this course without the closeness and help from my classmates. My family and my boyfriend were hugely invaluable; without their love and support I would have fallen off the horse long ago!

Wise words today? One last tip –keep reading Helen’s blog – I know it’s helped me this far and I can’t wait to read and see what comes next!

Calling Nurse Hellie!!

2011-05-07T18:24:00.000+01:00

Last year over TP3 a fit of madness took me and I decided to do a First Aid course in the middle of my final TP3. As I say MADNESS! As if I hadn't enough to worry about with TP3 but thats a whole different story! Anyway I loved the First Aid course and have found it to be really helpful so far!

It was hard don't get me wrong but it's been worth it so far! I haven't gone around like a Super Hero looking for accidents that I can fix and make the world a better place. I haven't hit that point just yet but I have found that the course was very helpful within the school setting. Turns out not everyone is comfortable with the sight of blood so it has been helpful that I don't mind it and can handle it. So far this week I've needed my First Aid skills to help a kid who slid across the playground and banged their head as well as a kid who was elbowed straight in the nose! Ouchies!! Good job I'd gone out of my way to learn just what to do!

What I don't understand is why more teachers don't make a bigger effort to do this course for themselves, their classes and their families?? Surely in every school yard, class even in the halls kids fall, trip and stumble? Something that often results in cuts, bruises and in some cases a sore head? Why wouldn't we, as teachers, want to make sure that we can handle any situation that comes up like that?

In many cases if there is a more serious issue with a child say for arguements sake a child in your class has asthma. Would you know what to do if the parents didn't send in directions? While I was in Moyle Park last summer I found myself in a similiar mess. I arrived back to the school from one of the school tours to be told that there was a young Italian girl suffering from a serious asthma attack. She has no inhaler. She didn't really need it in Italy where the weather is warmer and less moist. Whereas here in Ireland the moist weather, even in the middle of July can be a pain in the arse for many asthmatics. And this poor girl wasn't prepared for that! Not one teacher who was in the school at the time knew what to do. I can honestly say even without the First Aid course I knew what to do, but only because I am asthmatic too. Otherwise I wouldn't have had a clue. And yet so many teachers ignore this very important lesson and don't even know how to protect themselves if there is a child who has been hurt and/or bleeding. Seems silly doesn't it?

Wise words today? Take a First Aid Course!! St Johns do a great one, as does The Order of Malta and most of them are run in local schools at night so it's easy to do it!!

Exams, again??

2011-05-03T12:48:00.000+01:00

With the Hibernia Oct 09 Exams looming and in fact starting tomorrow there's been a lot of talk in my house about my own exams last year and how I coped and survived. I posted last August about how I got on, I'll link that post here for anyone who wasn't a loyal reader (or crazy enough to listen to my ramblings). The exams themselves are all a blur in some ways. I mean I know I sat them obviously! The drive up to the Hotel was long from what I remember, I left on the Sunday, with the exams starting on Monday.I was lucky, I'd spent a lovely night the night before with Gavin and I was able to drive up in somewhat leisure. Well as much as possible with the exams looming! Arriving in Dublin was scary not because I was lost-for a change I wasn't lost! But because I'd arrived at the hotel hoping to meet up with some of my class and they hadn't made it yet. I unpacked a bit, sorted out some notes and checked out the bed for best creature comforts! I headed down for dinner after texting the lads and realizing I was still alone. I didn't see anyone that night til I was heading to bed after a little stroll downstairs. It was nice to catch up with people and not be alone there.

I woke up the next morning in a cold sweat and lacking greatly in sleep. I had spent ages in the land of study the night before and I was heading to breakfast with notes in hands. Ok so the first exam was Irish so I wasn't as worried as some of the others were. I enjoyed the exam as much as an exam can be enjoyed. I was ready to roll and I did well. Looking back I'm glad it was Irish first, for me it meant an easier start for others it was the cause of dread. The afternoon was spent having lunch and trying not to discuss the exam before going back to the hotel and hitting the books again....dinner followed with the others in the hotel and back to the books. At one stage we were all out on the landing hall in the hotel chatting about the "ologies" we faced the next morning. I'm not sure anyone slept any night of the exams. I won't go on about the exams or the papers, they're all on the past papers section of Helms for students who are embarking on them this week. By the time we'd finished on the Wednesday lunch time I think exhaustion had more then set in. I took a friend back to the train station so she could get the train back to Cork-we couldn't stop laughing the whole way there! Between Dad's satnav sending us all over the city and us being in such high spirits we were beyond giddy! The lack of sleep and lack of any future study probably helped too!

After all the giggles I was shattered. I decided to stop in Liffey Valley and have a little stroll and some food to keep me awake. It was a long drive home...the longest drive from Dublin to Cork ever. When I finally got there, after a few pit stops along the way, I was nearly asleep talking to mom. Gavin surprised me by turning up unexpectedly at the door. H[w sweet?? Mind you we were both so tired we fell asleep by 8pm!! The following days are a complete blur, I remember feeling empty. Not really knowing what I should do with my new found freedom as Gavin couldn't get the time off from work to take holidays and head away for a few days. I watched a lot of Disney films and tv! I read a lot and caught up on sleep! It wasn't long before I had something to distract me from the lack of study and exams.....It was time to find my little housey and pack to move!

The exams were over so quickly that really they are becoming a bit of a blur. I panicked about them like most others from my class. We all had our own coping techniques and tricks. Each of us dealt in various ways. We were supportive of each other and helped out in many ways, from sharing chocolate, sweets and notes. Asking and answering questions. Being there for each moment of panic and calming the nerves. The exams really went by so fast.

5 tips for Hibernia Exams!!

1. Read the questions carefully- the "ologies" are not my fav section and the questions are tough enough so read them slowly and carefully....twice and again for good luck!

2. Rough work is your friend-scribble down any thoughts you have for questions so you don't forget them

3. Examples-use what you know! You have 3 lots of teaching practice done, USE IT!! Practical exams are great to prove that you know your stuff and you're not talking through your hat.

4. Sleep and eat well before each exam-the temptation is there to study all night but don't. The exhaustion is bad enough with sleep but without sleep you just won't function right.

5. Watch your writing-be clear concise and careful about your handwriting. The easier it is to read the better for you, your marks and the examiner! In the same way mark each question properly so you don't drive the corrector mad!

If you have more tips to add please leave a comment below!!

Wise words today? Study but don't panic and as Mom always says- "Don't lose the head"

My Shopping Habit

2011-04-27T22:45:00.002+01:00

So I can admit that I have a shopping habit that is more than a tad hard to break. It's impossible. It's ok I can admit it.Usually it's clothes, shoes, make up, books anything that comes from a stationary store...or as Gavin calls them "teacher shops". I get an odd and unnatural enjoyment from doing the weekly shop in Tesco and showing off everything I've bought for the fridge for the week. I'm sure Gavin thinks I'm nuts but sure he knew that all along. I've bought some funny things lately from clothes to easter eggs but there have been two MASSIVE investments that I genuinely love. And not even I have gotten the GUILTS about them.

First of all is the purchase that I think Gavin loves more then other "investments" considering how often he uses it since it arrived! To cut the story short, a few weeks ago on my way home from a day in school I happened into B&Q and somehow a BBQ followed me home. This was a huge step, as at home with the parents BBQs are a huge part of our summer and I love cooking on the BBQ so getting one was a dream like idea for me. Gavin loves meat and was happy as larry. So we now BBQ a lot.....

Well it never bothered us before!!

So my second big purchase was an iPhone4. After my issues with Gavin's one this was a fair large leap for me but I have sense now. And I ADORE it. I really really do. I'm singing it's praises without really explaining why aren't I? Firstly it does everything a phone should do...call, text turn on and stay on etc. It has email and internet. And APPS, lots and lots of APPS!! I am not totally App Happy! It's very addictive is the app store! And since we got wireless broadband recently....ok ok well yesterday I've gotten even worse and am getting Apps left right and center. I've gone from Britain's got Talent to Evernote to Angry Birds. You name it and the iPhone has an app for that. Makes me laugh now to think of how I ruthlessly teased Gavin for his apps and always saying in that childish voice when he couldn't do something "isn't there an app for that?" How I regret that phrase now!! Still though I hear my little sis coming out with it now when I'm home and she sees the phone out. Think it's more jealous she is but still, she'll learn to love it in time too....If only she'd give Angry Birds a go I think!!

Wise words today? Hi I'm Hellie, I am a shopaholic....

MasterChef

2011-04-18T19:24:00.000+01:00

In my short (so far) teaching career I've been brave enough to attempt cooking a few times. Now you may think I'm stark raving mad. And to be honest you're probably right, the chances are I probably am stark raving mad. But by my logic my teachers in school tried to teach us some of the basics of cooking so I'd like to pass on my wisdom! While my teachers were crazy/daft enough to attempt scones, fairy cakes and pasta dishes I am not that crazy. As you may remember from tp3 I attempted smoothies with 3rd class and only made a small mess.

Junior Infants

Pancakes!! Now I have a recipe I love to use which is a Jamie Oliver special so I'm not giving away any trade secrets by posting the link here. But I'm not brave enough to try this recipe with a large group of infants....so I admit I cheated a little. I bought ready made ones and used the microwave. Of course there's still cooking involved for this if you're an infant. So we discussed safety in the kitchen as a SPHE lesson and talked about all the things needed for pancakes. Then we went to the staffroom and sat around the big table! I brought in sugar, lemon and some of the kids had some fruit that they like on top. They took it in turns to help teacher to heat up the pancakes, then choose their topping and eat it-no plates we used kitchen roll to avoid the mess! Yummy!!

Senior Infants

Krispie Nests!! Like Rice Krispie cakes but they're nests made out of Shreddies. Again we were careful to discuss the safety issues and what we should do while in the Kitchen. While each group was cooking with Teacher, the others were doing art. Lessens the mess. So I halved the Shreddies and melted the chocolate. Then the kids dipped their own piece of shreddies into the melted chocolate and put three mini eggs on top! We left them to dry and harden before they were taken home to be eaten....It was lent after all! Not sure everyone liked Shreddies but they looked FAB!!

5th Class

Spaghetti Bolognese!! (Just like I did when I was in school) This one is an older attempt. It was during TP1 and I had gone to school there myself so I knew the set up and had a few cooking lessons there myself. So I won't go through all the recipe but needless to say we cooked in groups of 4, ish. Everyone had a job to do from chopping the veg to stirring the sauce and pasta. And of course the garlic bread. We were doing great until the fire alarm went off....OOPS!! We followed the fire escape plan to the school yard and the kids had a good ole laugh at poor little me outside in my apron. Thankfully we didn't set off the alarm, it was a fire drill. Just glad we did what we were meant to do and did it well!! We went back to the classroom once everything was cooked and had ourselves a wee picnic! Brilliant-If I do say so myself!

Wise words today? Safety in the kitchen lessons are not as much fun as the cooking but equally important! Also, make enough yummy treats for the teacher too! They deserve it!

Being on your Best Behavior

2011-04-10T13:07:00.000+01:00

I've been up the walls lately, which is no excuse to ignore my blog I know but I was subbing which has to get me some credit right? Anyway while I've been subbing I've been doing a lot of thinking about class room management and crowd control. Which are really very alike if you think about it. Especially with some classes but thats somewhat besides the point.

While on TP3 last year I tried using the traffic light system in 1st class. It worked out fairly well but it was awkward in a lot of ways. Basically it's 3 coloured bits of card cut out to make a traffic light, obviously the colours are green, orange and red for those of you who don't drive/pay attention to traffic lights!! So at the start of the day all the class were on the green light. While on tp I had each name cut out onto card as well but I have since decided it would be easier and save more space if names were on clothes pegs!! At the first offence of bad behavior their names were moved to the orange light or the "warning" light. If the issues continued on then names were moved to red light. From here the class teacher decided, and I agreed, if a pupil was on the red light then a note should be sent home to the parents. It worked very well but as I said if I were to use it now I'd use clothes pegs instead of putting names on card.

Lately I've tried out a red card system. Just like in a soccer match, Gavin laughs at this development but it's worked well for me. It's very like the traffic light system except it's not on a wall space and it's more one on one then the traffic light. That and it's not on display for any visitors that come into the class. I cut out some yellow card, laminated it and kept a few of them around the classroom. I did the same with the red cards. The yellow card is just like the ones used in matches, warning cards. Two yellow cards and a red card is shown. A Red card can also be shown for an especially bad incident. A red card also results in a note sent home to the parents.

Both of these systems have worked well for me in a very quick and easy way. For a longer term or even for a class system I'm a big fan of Jenny Mosely's Golden Time. For every incident there is 5 mins taken off the amount of Golden Time at the end of the week. Now I wouldn't use it every week in a normal classroom setting. Maybe once a month then but while I'm subbing it's a handy tool for the end of the week. Depending on the age group and the class in question I allow them to bring in their own toys or I put on a DVD and sometimes they'll be allowed to bring in sweets. That last part depends on the school policy as much as anything else but it's a nice treat if it can be managed.

Wise words today? Be on your best behavior or I'll send a note home to Mammy and Daddy!!

I'll Blog my Oscar speech later

2011-03-28T22:25:00.000+01:00

So the Irish Blog Awards were over a week ago and all is back to normal now again here. The Awards were amazing. I enjoyed them so much. Was delighted to see The Frog Blog win the Education/Science Award. That said I had a lovely thank you speech ready to accept the award so I'm going to bore you all to tears now with it!!

Thanks Gavin for making me start a blog to record Hibernia!

Nice and short and sweet! And of course had I said it Gav would have killed me so I was all ready with my wicked one liner- I'll blog my Oscar Speech later. Never got to say it though!

The Education/Science Finalists 2011

Belfast is a great city, bit far away but well worth it. Although we were all saddened by the news that this year is the last IBA to be held (unless someone else takes over...(HINT HINT HINT) but as blogging isn't something I (or anyone else I know) do for awards I can't say that it will stop me rambling on here. I won't go on here as there's loads of blogs out there with far better posts about the awards last week I just wanted to do a quick scribble and say a massive
THANK YOU to everyone who takes the time to read Anseo and comment, everyone who went to the awards last week, everyone who tweets with me and most of all thanks to Gavin. Without whom there would be no Anseo A Mhuinteoir. Or likely there would be no muinteoir as Gavin was a tower of strength throughout Hibernia and continues to be my rock while I job hunt and sub!

Wise words today? Find a Gavin, Pick him up and all day long you'll have good luck!

Mo Rang Eolaíochta

2011-03-16T18:35:00.000Z

Dr Honeydew and Beaker were out in full force again lately! This time we were making marshmellow worlds or at the very least structures with cocktail sticks. So off to Tesco I went, I got 2 bags of marshmellows and 3 boxes of cocktail sticks. I could have done with more, as it was I ended up with fairly big groups working together instead of the smaller groups I had wanted. But anyway. The whole point was to make shapes and design a final structure. They made cubes and pyramids, both triangular and square (get that, 3rd class totally rocked). They had to plan how they were going to make the shapes in great detail and decide how many marshmellows and sticks they needed. For the record, its 8 marshmellows and 12 sticks for a cube! When they'd perfected that we moved on. They were asked to make a copy of the Eiffel Tower, I put a picture of it on the whiteboard and they made a plan. Plans are vital for teamwork, ideas, conflict resolution and for sharing so don't forget to allow planning time. They managed some fab work but a lot of it fell over.... Check out website here for the exact experiment!

We moved onto dying with red cabbage next. This is a awfully messy one but so much fun. Take it in turns so lessen the mess! Dip white cotton into the red cabbage (after its been boiled in hot water for a while) It changes colour! Amazing! Now try sprinkling some vinegar, soap and lemon juice onto the white (now slightly purple) cotton and see what happens? The colours change again! The acid mixed with alcali change the colours of the white cotton. The kids loved it! Some got al inventive and tried to make a mini art lesson out of science. We're all about integration here you know!Some even made a flag with the sheet they were given. It was a great lesson and didn't take all day! Look here for the full experiment.

So I could have put loads of pics here but its awkward and if you really wanna see them I've uploaded them onto our Facebook page! And if you havne't joined us there yet, SHAME ON YOU! But you're more than welcome to come "like" us now! The link is here!

Wise words today? Carry a camera for hands on lessons and make notes so you remember the things that worked and didn't! Also make sure you buy enough marshmellows!

Rorys Story Cubes

2011-03-05T19:52:00.002Z

Late November 2010 and I'm happily curled up on my sofa watching the Late Late Toy Show! Something I do every year and don't see any need to stop just because I'm now meant to be a a grown up. And I refuse to grow up so....Anyway as you can imagine I especially enjoy the educational toys Tubs shows! And this year he hit gold. And we had no idea how huge a nugget he had found us.

Ryan introduced the Irish public-teachers in particular to Rorys Story Cubes (as seen on the Late Late Show) I always wanted to say that!
It's a really simple concept and works perfectly! It's a box of 9 small cubes with pictures on each side giving us the players 54 images and I'm told 10 million combos! Amazing! The idea is to make up a story based on the images so the stories are basically unlimited with so many combos!
The idea is to "gulp" in the images and not over think them while quickly making up a clever story. Unleash the creative flow, let the freedom of expression out and gain an insight to the hidden talents within! I was lucky enough to get the Actions pack for Christmas from Santa. The Actions pack is very like the first set but it's based on actions, obviously! It's not essential to have the first box, they can be played as a stand alone game! The box includes most of the important verbs (picto-verbs) and are very useful to help with language development in any language! I especially like using them in Learning Support, Irish or even in a English as a second language situation.

I've had great fun trying them out in past, present and future tenses with students. Of course there's no law saying you can't mix in the two sets to make for a serious action packed and creative story.
And if you are techy enough you can always download the Rorys Story Cubes App for the ipod/iphone and give it a go there. You can even shake the iphone the same way as you do the dice! How cool is that? When I went to the CESI conference a few weeks ago we were shown just how cool the app is when @mrquinnsclass showed us how to use them within the classroom setting. Needless to say they wowed us so much that I can't wait to get this app!
The only downside to Rorys Story Cubes is that they are hard to find...thankfully I have a list here as to where you can get them...cause I'm nice I've put the link here! Of course if you're local store is sold out of the first box (ie not the actions box) then Amazon currently have them in stock. There's pretty much no price difference and they'll arrive straight to your door! Rorys Story Cubes are on Facebook and can be found on twitter @storycubes so there's really no excuse to miss out on the latest additions to the Story Cube family. I've had so much fun with Rorys Story Cubes in class, in groups and even with friends..I'm nerdy I know! But they really are a fantastic game and idea!

Wise words today? Shake well, pour and be creative!

Irish Blog Awards 2011

2011-03-03T00:04:00.000Z

Firstly I'd like to point out its not like me to toot my own horn but here I am TOOT TOOT!!

Gav says I should be tooting away like a mad woman! A few weeks ago Anseo A Mhuinteoir was nominated for an Irish Blog Award in education. The excitement when I found out was tangible. I'm fairly sure my bouncing around at home drove my Mother half mad...especially when she started shouting upstairs to stop jumping up and down before I broke the house. Sorry Mom :)
So after a few days I eventually calmed myself and went back to a semi normal life. Or as normal as I could have in my funny little flat. Mid-term came and went and I watched far too much tv while spending too much time on twitter. Then Tuesday happened....
Yesterday was Tuesday. Obviously. I was on Twitter (as usual) while I got myself organised to head into town (as usual) when I noticed a interesting tweet from the Irish Blog Awards-the shortlists were out shortly. Well that put a sudden halt to my impending trip to town. Impatience would be an understatement. I chose not to tell anyone that the shortlists were coming-just in case! Little did I know Gavin was doing the exact same at work. Eagerly awaiting the list so he could ring me and tell me. I was doing the same.
Every other category was there and I was still waiting....and waiting....and waiting....
Finally!! It was there....and here go check it out.
Yep thats right Anseo A Mhuinteoir is in the final ten! WOOHOO! Now you see why Gavin says I'm to TOOT TOOT!! I rang Gavin-he already knew and was trying to ring me-Thanks Pet! I rang my parents (Mom was glad I was in flat so couldn't bounce and risk breaking her house). Finally I made it to town...and resisted impulse buying!
All was quiet and I was slowly calming down until today. When during the cricket (the match Ireland won against England) my Grandmother rang. I usually love when Gran rings and get a great kick out of a good chat. She rang today to say congratulations about the finalist listing in the Awards. Except that Gran says CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BLOBS AWARDS! Thanks Gran!
I'm delighted to be there amongst such great blogs such as

williamoconnor.wordpress.com
nellatnci.wordpress.com
anseo-a-mhuinteoir.blogspot.com (Thats me!!)
swingingstrings.blogspot.com
sccenglish.ie
blog.sccscience.com
blog.seandaliocht.com
sciencegallery.com/blog
liveatthewitchtrials.blogspot.com
carloweducatetogether.ie
The awards are held in Belfast on March 19th with Rick O Shea (find him on twitter).

Wise words today? Try not to bounce so much-I can't break the flat but I can still do damage to me and the general household items around me!!

Dr Honeydew meets Hellie

2011-02-22T18:40:00.000Z

Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker of the Muppets.
Well known by all Muppets as the scientists of the well known show and the experts behind of the most influential experiments in the Muppet Labs. And my new idols!
I sooooo wanna be Dr. Bunsen Honeydew!! Or even Beaker!
The last few weeks while I've been subbing I've been paying particular attention to science. And enjoyed a 2 week stint in a lovely 5th class over the last few weeks. I made, what I though at the time to be a rash decision, to do a science experiment with them in class. I had a good ole nose through the www.primaryscience.ie website and decided to go with an ole fav, the old reliable one. The one I knew couldn't fail. Having used it last year at the end of TP3 while subbing in LS and being drafed into 5th class to help out! So I went back to the page to look at the equipment needed. Remembering how some of it was a tad awkward last year.... It's generally handy if you organise the equipment and the lesson in advance! I learnt my lesson after last years attempt-in my defence I didn't know i was doing it until sos that morning!
Anyway....this year I was better. I went to Dunnes the night before. I stocked up on plasticine (marla basically) some marrowfat dried peas and some mini eggs-which were for me, not the kids in the class. I figured I deserved mini eggs for doing science when I'm so well known for being an epic fail in science classes. Just ask my junior cert teacher! So armed with my equipment I braved my way into the school and with the help of the SNA we dug out some large bowls and dishes. And now I'm willing to guess that you're very curious as to what on earth I was doing in science with that poor class!
Bád a Dhéaradh or Design a boat is what we were trying to do. And so we did!
I divided the class up into smaller groups set them up with some paper and a broad idea what they were going to do. After a quick discussion I let the groups off to discuss some ideas and work out the best style of boat. The aim was to design a boat in which they could put as many passengers as possible to sail the seven seas! Passengers came in the form of dried marrowfat peas! Boats to be made out of plasticine. The groups drew up some plans and made notes before they were given the plasticine to create the boats. Once groups had their boats made we put them to the test in the large dish of water (ie the sea) and sent the passengers aboard!

We all gathered around and watched as we placed the passengers (peas) on board. The first group got 23 passengers on before the boat sank...The groups after did better and better until finally we managed to get 127 passengers on board before the poor plasticine boat went down to Davy Jones locker.
We had great fun! The kids really enjoyed the experiment!
This is a rough idea of the shape that worked best! We didn't bother with flags, they took up too much precious space needed by our paying passengers! I couldn't have asked for a better turn out with this. It worked perfectly!
I'll put the link to the Primary Science experiment page that I used here. There is a follow on experiment for this one, which the class teacher did. It's tricker but still fun. I managed it last year just after TP so I can talk from experience! I'm sure Dr. Bunsen Honeydew would be very impressed with me!

Wise words today? Keep working towards my aim to be the "NEW" Dr. Honeydew, or at the very least Beaker. Which I'm sure is more up my accident prone, scienctifically dense street! Meep Meep!!

A video just for fun and inspiration!

The Traditional Valentines Day post (a day late)

2011-02-15T21:08:00.000Z

For the last 2 year's I've posted here for Valentines Day so it only makes sense to do so again this year. It's traditional in my life to give Gavin a tea-pot for V Day but this year I broke the mould and went for something different. And I've got my Cork friends in Hairy Baby to thank for the Usual Suspects T-shirt. Which has the party leaders on the front in what is basically a line up from the film The Usual Suspects! Gavin needless to say seemed to like it, its the whole newsreader thing I think. He likes currant news and whatnot. As for me and what I got...well you're looking at it. If you didn't notice when you came to the blog you were redirected from the usual blogger.com website to this lovely new one.
www.anseo-a-mhuinteoir.com
Yep Gavin got me a .com for Valentines Day!! And set it all up so I'd nothing to actually do expect blog away! So here I am. A real .com and a real blogger!
Made even realer (I know its not a word but its the best I've got to explain myself) by my recent nomination and long listing to the Irish Blog Awards under the Education section. This includes science too of course. It's amazing a real honour to be included in here among so many amazing blogs.
Brings a grin from ear to ear for us!

Wise words today? Fingers crossed for the short listing! And Make Gavin tea in his Valentines Tea Pot

Irish: if we really care about it, let's stop the pretence - Analysis, Opinion - Independent.ie

2011-02-13T19:22:00.000Z

Irish: if we really care about it, let's stop the pretence - Analysis, Opinion - Independent.ie

At the behest of Rozz Lewis I went on my merry way to search this out and have a read. Now you all know where my view points lie on Irish in the schools and the teaching of Irish in our primary schools so I won't go over it again. If you don't know where I stand than go back a few days here on the blog and have a read of the post just before this one. You'll see my point.

Now Ms Lewis claims to agree with 95% of this opinion piece, where do you stand? Do you see the issues in our teaching of Irish as something we can correct, something most teachers are well on their way to correcting with the help of the new curriculum or do you agree with Mr Kenny and feel that it should be an optional subject?

After my previous blog this week on the same subject I received a fair few emails, tweets and comments about it. I'd really love to hear your opinions here now as well.

Wise words today? Have a good long think about how you vote in this election, it could have an effect on our language that can never be repaired.

Sanibonani! Conas Taoi?

2011-02-08T19:04:00.001Z

It's election time. I don't mind elections. The posters amuse me, some of the pics are awful and make me laugh. Some are grossly misspelt so I know who best to avoid voting for. Others bring mild interest to the forefront. But never before has one interesting me so much as this one. Maybe it's because I'm older for this one and have more to lose if we happen to vote for another corrupt government? Maybe because I can't help but feel the pinch of the R word. Maybe it's Enda Kennys fault?
I think so...

It's his Irish ideas I have greatest hatred for. This notion he has to make Irish optional for the leaving cert is utter madness. Giving Irish an optional status may grab some new voters for FG but the damage it will have on our Education system will be tenfold and something we can never repair if we break it now.
By making Gaeilge optional we allow children to take on the idea that it's not worth learning from a very early stage. From second class we would hear parents claiming that their children do not need to learn it as they won't ever need it for the Leaving Cert or for University. More and more children's parents will decide that their kids do not need to learn Gaeilge in primary school. Think of the classes we've been in lately, there are more and more young kids who do not partake in the Gaeilge lessons we teachers spend hours preparing. And when asked they do not know why. Nor can parents explain it in any kind of reasonable, understandable and rational way.
Kenny is full of double standards-it was only a few weeks the fluent speaker said the Dáil should debate more through Gaeilge. Now he wants to make it optional in schools. How does he purpose TDs manage to debate as Gaeilge if they didn't do it in school?
Mr Kenny has been making noises about the subject since 2005 when he announced that he had decided that Fine Gael in government would make the study of Irish entirely voluntary in the last two years of second level.
On some twisted level Kenny thinks he's making sense. He seems to believe that by giving students the choice that they will be free to love the language and be more motivated to learn it. *Cue chorus of Day Dream Believer*

Enda needs to take a long hard look at Tony Blair's ideas of 2004 when he brought in the same idea and ended the complusory study of languages in the UK. The ideas was radical and intended to reform the approaches to learning and teaching languages.

“We have taken a sensible approach to what will make language learning thrive. It is not about forcing young people to study a language; it is about starting in primary schools, finding new and exciting ways of teaching languages and better supporting those who show an aptitude for the subject”, said the then education secretary Mr Alan Johnson.

Now cue language crisis in the UK where French has lost its place in the top ten subjects to study. The German ambassador has asked the government to change the plan as the German department in Queens University, Belfast has had to close due to a lack of numbers wishing to study German. Can't Enda Kenny see that our beloved Gaeilge will go the same way? Without the Roinn Gaeilge in UCC I'd be a whole different person and not to mention a lesser teacher.
Alan Johnson later ordered a review of the plan as it seemed to be doing more damage than good. Again Kenny please take note...
If implemented, Enda Kenny’s move would also be likely to weaken teaching provision at both schools and universities as was the experience in Britain. The related fall in numbers taking Irish until the Leaving Cert would also be likely to result in a fall in the number of teachers capable of teaching Irish, in turn limiting the possibility of taking Irish for those who wish to study it for the Leaving Cert.
I'm not going to rant anymore. I promise but I am seriously worried about our education system and our national and native language should Mr Kenny get his hands on our country.

Wise words today? Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam! Cóiméad ár dteanga beo go deo!

CESI Conference 2011

2011-02-07T13:18:00.000Z

This year I made the long (well an hours drive) to Portlaois for the CESI Conference. Being, as I am, a NQT I was a little nervous about going up and meeting up with all these teachers I've been in contact with online lately. I arrived up on Friday night in time for the CESI MEET (trending on twitter I'll have you know) and had some serious fun with the iPod Touch and the apps that are used in the classroom. I've always been against Gavin's iPhone and generally consider it to the third person in our relationship and therefore drives me around the bend completely! But I was swayed slightly by the iPod Touch on Firday night. I loved the apps. But I think if I was to venture into the land of Apple I would keep my own normal phone and use the iPod Touch purely for apps and music, I don't want the iPhone. Don't want to listen to Gavin say I told you so either. Friday night had three large screens on the wall, two showing the presentation slides and the last one in the middle was a twitter feed! Amazing I know!
The presenters on Friday were beyond brilliant! @ebd35 gave a wonderful talk about the apps she uses in her ebd class on the iPod Touch. She's an inspiring teacher that I hugely admire and was lucky enough to meet and have chance to chat to for a while. @seomraranga brought his iPods in as well to show us some apps his fantastic class uses in school to add to their learning. We were lucky enough to see this fab 3rd class in action on Saturday, they came all the way from Silgo to Portlaois to show us teachers how to ise iPods and some of the brilliant apps they love including how to have their Friday Spelling tests on the iPods using Google Docs. There was a quiz with Ciaran using the iPods again to answer, the app is called Clicker in case you want to find it for yourself!
After the presentations I had a quick chat with @rozzlewis and @simonlewis from www.anseo.net Simon did a great presentation on Saturday about cloud computing...check out the website for more info! We had a good ole chat and I went on to mingle with some more teachers when they started on the long drive home! I went to chat with @lismiss who spent hours introducing me to many many many more teachers! Lismiss is a fantastic teacher and one of the nicest people I've had the pleasure in meeting in a long time! She introduced me to @annemmcm who did a presentation on Saturday about Story Bird, www.storybird.com a website that is a nice way to encourage writing within a classroom setting using images from their site. When the story is ready you can order it in a book form to be printed and shipped over. Fab idea! She also spoke to us about her class project between her own 5th class and some TY students at the far side of Dublin. They did amazing work and seemed to have really enjoyed it as well! I learned a lot about software from the CESI weekend including Textease, software used to help children with dyslexia deal with some of the stresses of school.
I learned so much and got some truly unreal ideas from the guest speakers. The opening speaker was @tombarrett who is one of the foremost teachers using techie stuff in London. His website is a wealth of information http://edte.ch/blog and a great resource for all teachers, not just new ones like me!! And the final speaker of the day was @markpentleton who taught us some Zulu through music, using Apple's GarageBand. Sonibonani Mark! Ngisaqala ukufunda isiZulu which means I'm learning to speak Zulu! How cool is that??
I don't think I've learned so much in a long time, or met so many people I can look up to and admire both on twitter and in person now. My brain was bursting at the seams on Saturday night when I got home and I spent most of Sunday on twitter discussing the conference with those who were there.

Wise words today? Sonibonani! You're never too old, too experienced or too well educated to learn something new!

Twitter and the NQT: AN UPDATE

2011-01-24T17:57:00.000Z

After the last blog post here about twitter there was a great response, mostly on twitter I'll admit! But I wanted to update you all on something I found quite funny yesterday!
While bringing my mother to Dublin yesterday we were without radio and access to news, having bought the Sunday papers we were looking forward to a good ole read! I got a text from the one and only Gavin in my life about the Greens leaving the Gov. Now I'm not going to go on about the gov and the Greens, or even Brian Cowen. I want to tell you about the impact twitter had. My mother hardly knew what a blog was never mind that I write my own blog. She hadn't a clue what twitter was until recently, when I wrote for www.anseo.net which can be seen up there at that link!! Once she read the article she felt the need to ask about twitter! I explained it and she laughed at me and the fact that people actually use twitter!
That is until yesterday when we hear that the Greens were out and mom instantly jumped asking if that "Twitter yoke" would have news on the Greens. We went straight to The Journal.ie on twitter for updates! Thank goodness it was there or I fear she may have gone mad!

Wise words today? Always make sure your phone has access to twitter for the sanity of parents who don't have radio while driving long distances!

How to talk to Children about Art

2011-01-08T19:05:00.000Z

If you're like me and find the practical side of art is one thing that you just about manage but that look and respond strand may as well be double dutch then don't worry and let me assure you are not alone.
I could be brought from the Tate to the Lourve and I wouldn't know one painting to another one. And still get lost trying to find my way back to the main door to escape. Like most things these days there's an APP for that! Well a book anyway! Check out "How to talk to Children about Art" by Francoise Barbe-Gall click here to be brought to the Amazon site to view book!
I've used this so often while subbing, both short term and slightly longer term...well a week anyway! The point is its a great lesson no matter how long you're gonna be there for!! I had a day with 4th class recently, a 4th class I knew fairly well having done tp3 with them last feb (while they were still 3rd class) but thats not the point to this.

I chose to do Picasso's Weeping Woman with them as a little treat. As a class they really enjoy art and I found when I had them on tp that they had some great ideas while looking at art and responding to it. So I decided to challenge them a wee bit. We had the image up on the IWB and spent quite some time discussing it. This is where the book comes in hugely handy! Since I'm by no means an artist or even anything near decent drawing I would have normally found this quite trying. I've a head like a sieve and find any and all facts just seem to topple out of it when I'm not looking so knowing anything about a painting is impossible! Thank goodness for this book! It has all the information you'll ever need for a classroom right there at your fingertips! It's divided up into three sections by age groups. So there's statements there to expand on for each of the three age groupings within a school ie junior, middle and senior strands. As you move up the colour coded ladder to the higher age groups the information becomes more in depth and leaves scope for more questions for both teacher and pupil alike.
While myself and the SNA were amazed at some of the questions the pupils were asking the class themselves were just really enjoying a different art class and were more than eager to get stuck into creating their own version of the weeping woman. The art curriculum isn't about recreating someone else's work its about understanding the work and creating you're own unique work. So with that in mind I left the image on the IWB while we discussed it and gave the class chance to have a good look at it before they started their own work but was sure to turn off the IWB before anyone had chance to copy it. There were grumbles of course but the work the class did was AMAZING!! And they loved every moment of it! We used everything but paints during the class, easier to clean up really and we hadn't much time but I would love to see the finished product when paints have been used!

Wise words today? Buy the book! No sub should be without it! Amazon have it as do Vibes and Scribes so there really is NO excuse!!

Twitter and the NQT

2011-01-04T18:31:00.001Z

I'll start with HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE FROM ALL AT ANSEO (so thats from me and Gavin basically!!)

As you may or may not have noticed Anseo is on Twitter. I fought so hard against it. When Gavin first joined Twitter I laughed at him. Until I discovered he didn't actually use the account it was just there...we all have accounts like that, ones we have usernames for, unknown passwords and more annoyingly so regular emails reminding you about said account! So When Gavin decided to give this twitter lark a real go I laughed, out loud! And laughed some more. For months I called it twittering (and still do if truth be told) or even twitterpated (like from Bambi). Once Gavin got into the swing of Twitter he set up an account for his own blog. It may have taken some time to get into the swing of it I'm not so sure cause he soon found many many uses for it... And it wasn't long before my bias had to be set aside as I joined twitter.... I opened a personal account with my own name...and tweeted like 5 times and HATED IT!!

Bye Bye Twitter!!

It took months again when I was going goodo with this blog and I decided I'd give twitter a second chance if and only IF it would tweet when I had a new post written. I got Gavin onto the job and lo and behold it tweets when I have a post!! So I give it a go. Begrudingly I may add.
It took time, I kept forgetting to log in and in the end I had to make it part of my homepage setup so when I go online it opens up along with my email. Used to drive me mad. When I finally got into the swing of it all I found some really good scratch that some really GREAT people to follow! I'm gonna list out some, not all of them but some of the fantastic people that I do follow here so if you're like me (with twitter issues) here's a few educators to have a look at and follow (get with the lingo...)

So a list of 11 teachers and resources for teachers for you to sink your teeth into! In no particular order of course! Just click on the names to open the links!

Enda D is Working in Initial Teacher Education (also Continuing Professional Development) with a focus on the use of technology for teaching and learning.

Seomra Ranga lots of resources and ideas for all teachers!!

Anne McMorrough Primary school teacher (Dublin) and PhD student (University College Dublin) with an interest in all things creative :-)

Jonathan McKenna quick witted and bold as brass but a brilliant teacher (and a dub grrr) but a great friend who has a passion for almost all pop culture!

Simon Lewis one of the Masterminds behind www.anseo.net link is here

Mash links another of Simon's pet projects, no idea when he has time for school! Link here

Teaching Ideas Providing free ideas, resources, links and news to teachers around the world.

http://www.teachingideas.co.uk

Pádraig Ó Dubhaigh Teacher of French, ICT & Maths in Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, interested in integrating ICT into teaching & learning.

Humphrey Jones Teacher of science, Frog Blogger, political enthusiast, rugby fanatic and all round good guy! Runs the Frog Blog for all science knowledge link is here

Ban Ryan very helpful and full of some great ideas! Classroom Facilitator/teacher interested in promoting the use of IT in the classroom

Rozz Lewis Another Mastermind behind Anseo.net link here and a great blog to boot!

I have one or two others that aren't teaching related but well worth following as well! They belong to a group of great people, great sense of humor and

Gavin Grace besides being my better half, he's a great writer with a fab blog here

Billy Lyons the expert on all things Cork! He keeps a great blog with all kinds of reviews and info here

Cork Historic Tours Another Cork expert of all the local history, try his quizes, you'll be stumped!

Miriam a star dj with Spin South West someone who somehow manages to keep me giggling!

Oatmeal brilliant cartoonist!

Paul McDonagh Training very hard at this thing called running, blog to be found here

Anne Marie Flynn a very wise woman who keeps me giggling :D

Niall Brophy a sports nut but don't hold that against him!

Well this is a very long post but twitter is something that can't be squished into a small post! I have to admit I now love twitter, I've met some lovely people, learnt a lot about teaching and schools. Found some great resources and ideas! And its a great tool for getting news and weather as well! Well thats what Gavin says anyway!!

Wise words today? Join twitter!! As much as I hate to admit it, it's worth it! And the people there are great!

OH!! And follow me too!!

Subbing so far

2010-12-21T19:35:00.000Z

I've been very lucky since I moved and have meet some fantastic teachers locally. And I've done well getting to know a Gaelscoil at the other side of the city. I really love it there. And I've just heard that they'll be getting a new school in the future so I'm really delighted for them. As for the work itself I love it. I've had two different learning support positions there, one with the junior end of the school for a few days and the second a week later with the senior end. I loved them both but think I enjoyed the seniors more. Mainly because the I can find infants to be very hard work and something I've very little experience with. So far. But I love working with the seniors I love the grown up aspects and the interests they foster at that stage in school. I genuinely find them very entertaining and interesting. As for LS I find the work to be so varied that its quite interesting even if its a long day, or seems so when as a teacher you're working one on one. It's so different to teaching in a mainstream class setting. On one hand its tough to have the constant ins and outs of different kids coming in and out all day long. Its hard to get to know them and as a sub its very hard to come into LS when you don't know the kids and the challenges they face. But its a challenge as a teacher I really enjoyed and relish. Even though it was far more exhausting then TP in a lot of ways. I missed teaching some of the subjects, being confined to English and/or Maths for the day is hard for a teacher. Especially one like myself who is bubbling over with ideas in the Arts and Irish and projects that I can't wait to try out. But LS gave me chance to look at aspects of SPHE on a lot of levels as well. I had chance to look at some books for Self Esteem and behaviour that I really liked and can't wait to get to Amazon to purchase. Once pay comes....I swear.

In the middle of the two learning support weeks I had 4th class in the same school. Something I loved. I feel I got a lot of work done and covered a chapter in Maths in great detail so I feel like I made a difference. As a class they were great fun to work with. They were a vibrant class full of personality and easy to work with if not a wee too chatty at times. Still I got to try out some new ideas in class and mostly they worked out really well.

I still think I enjoy being in a mainstream class than LS but I'm happy out doing both now that I've had some real experience of LS over the last few weeks. It's something I could do. And do well.

Wise words today? Don't knock it til you try it, you never know you may be great at it!

My Christmas

2010-12-17T19:18:00.000Z

I've had my Christmas tree up now for a few weeks, I'm such a lil Christmas Elf! I drive poor Gavin half mad! But here I am enjoying the cheer and making cards and my very own christmas crackers.

<----- This is my tree in my lil housey! I love it! Have some pretty colours and some twinkly lights and I have a special little decoration in the shape of a stocking with our names on...

I've spent ages making the house as festive as I can, I even got us our own Advent Calendars and my Mom sent us a wee Santa to hang from our walls too so the place looks good! Even if I do say so myself!

I've gotten some lovely surprises for Gavin, I won't say what but I promise I'll post here as soon as he's opened the wrapping so we can give our verdict!! I'm sure he'll love it though!!

As for home? I'm going back next week for the seasonal Turkey dinner and a few days R&R with Mammy cooking and a blazing fire to cuddle up in front of! And the all important real tree smell.... :)

The presents are all wrapped and under my tree until I get chance to bring them home and put them under the real tree for Christmas morning! I can't wait!! I spent hours this week wrapping while all toasty in front of the heater with my Christmas films on!! All in all my kinda day!

Wise words today? Tis the season to be silly! And I'm doing my bestest to be as silly as I can be for it is the Silly Season!!

Wow I'm really amazed!

2010-12-13T20:09:00.000Z

I went to town today to get a few Christmas things done! I have to say I was really amazed by the Christmas spirit in the city today! And it was the same in Galway over the weekend! Every single person I met in shops, even those working in the freezing cold were full of festive cheer! I went to a few Christmas Craft markets as well and everyone was genuinely lovely! I met a woman from Clare Crafts in two different markets and she was one of the nicest people I've met out lately, full of chat and good festive ideas! I was blown away by her honest attitude, it was really refreshing. I was in a small Clothes shop in Galway on Saturday called The Style Room. I picked out the most stunning wool dress to try on and instantly fell in love with it. Going to the till I was delighted to hear my all time fav christmas song playing so singing along I went to pay (and found my dress was half price). The woman at the till giggled to hear me singing along and said there were so few people full of good will that I was a lil treat... :) Ok I like being a lil treat!! Either way it was really lovely to see someone else enjoying the silly season! The Eyre Square market was great as well, the food was unreal as my sis would say!! I'm just full of JOY!!

I wanted to say to everyone, Be JOYFUL!! Don't be a Grinch and don't be a Scrooge!!

Wise words today? Deck the halls!!

Sneachta ag titim!

2010-12-07T20:21:00.000Z

So its snowing, again. The second time this year. Only this time its not so much fun. Last time it was January and lets face it just after Christmas so we really didn't mind all that much when we could just curl up in front of the tv with all the lovely Christmas films that grace our screens over the festive season.
Now its early December...and Christmas is just around the corner but the snow is causing more problems then it seemed to last year.
Or is it just me? But last year I loved the snow...and spend the day sat on a large coal bag sledding down the hill just outside my front door. I may have been soaked and covered in snow (and a bit of mud) but I loved it!
This year however is totally different, the snow is making life harder not more fun. There are schools closed all over the country Carlow and Kilkenny are ment to be dreadful! There are only a few closed around my neck of the woods, thankfully or work would be very hard to come by this week! But its the roads. I've fallen 3 times so far, twice outside my own front door trying to get in home...my poor backside and once today again...my bum hurts a whole pile now!! Somehow it was def more fun last year! Maybe cause I didn't fall last year...or maybe cause I had a sled and a hill to enjoy. Or maybe somewhere over the last year I got old...and stopped loving snow?? AH NO that can't be it...I love making snowmen and throwing snowballs...and sledding down the lovely hill outside my house....(not the new one obviously since that one hurts my bottom)
It looks all pretty out there and I'd love to have time with my camera to go get better pics and something different to post here.

All the kids who are enjoying the the extra days off this week, I'm a tad jealous...I'm working away (which is certainly a good thing I know) but I would love to be playing in the snow at home...with a coal bag in tow to go off down the hill again

Wise words today? Get warmer boots, my feets are freezing!

Guest Author: Helen Bullock | anseo.net

2010-12-05T12:29:00.000Z

Guest Author: Helen Bullock | anseo.net

Wise words today? read this and all other valuable advice found on Anseo.net (obviously!!!)

Italia 90 Documentary

2010-11-30T22:28:00.000Z

Wired Fm – Student & Web Radio Station » Series Info

Thanks my Gavin's Documentary-I demand you listen in to it on Wired FM tomorrow morning at 9am!

Hours of hard work went into this, blood sweat and tears went into and that was just my input! Gavin worked a little bit too!

We went all over Ireland to get the best interviews for you! And I went along for the road trip...

It's fantastic!!

Please please please listen!!

Wise words today? listen live at www.wiredfm.ie

Freddie Mercury RIP

2010-11-24T18:34:00.000Z

Freddie Mercury
September 5, 1946 - November 24, 1991

My Fav Freddie Quotes:
"I'm as gay as a daffodil, my dear!"

I hate pockets in trousers … By the way, I do not wear a hose. My hose is my own. No coke bottle, nothing stuffed down there.

I like people to go away from a Queen show feeling fully entertained, having had a good time. I think Queen songs are pure escapism, like going to see a good film - after that, they can go away and say that was great, and go back to their problems. I don't want to change the world with our music. There are no hidden messages in our songs, except for some of Brian's.

I'm possessed by love — but isn't everybody?

We’re gonna stay together until we fucking well die, I’m sure of it. I keep—I must tell you—I keep wanting to leave, but they won’t let me. We’re not bad for four aging queens, really, are we? What do you think?

I'm just a musical prostitute, my dear.

Wise words today? If I didn't have Freddie Mercury's lyrics to hold on to as a kid, I don't know where I would be. It taught me about all forms of music. It would open my mind. I never really had a bigger teacher in my whole life.

What would my 18 year old self think?

2010-11-22T17:03:00.000Z

This was a hot topic on Saturday night last. To explain myself properly I went out to a friends place with Gavin to watch the rugby and X Factor.
We opted to head to a bar to have a drink or two....We went to my fav bar in the city for some cocktails. On arrival we were somewhat surprised to see the bar crowed and beyond noisy. We went in but were taken aback by the noise level....The two boys went to the bar while myself and one of the girls looked for a table. Which turns out was impossible to find. So after she'd been chatted up by a older man, late 30's compared to our early 20's/mid 20's when we can face up to it.He'd come to talk to her to ask her if she'd be interested in "his friend", a teenager woulda done...."My friend thinks your hot!"
After explaining to the poor guy that we weren't interested in him or his friends we almost fell about laughing at the juvenile way they went about it.
However it brought about a series of questions based on our juvenile selves.
What would your 18 year old self think of you now?
The answers were all alike. For me my 18 year old self would have loved the bar we were in on Saturday night, the music was just loud enough, the crowd just right and I would have loved to be hit in by an older man, even though I would never have said yes! After staring at the clothes in the girls around us we decided we never would have worn them. And there is no way our dresses were ever that short...right? That said my younger self would have loved the crowd and the clothes....and would have hated to see me comment that I wish the place would turn down the music just a little. Or comment that the dress on that girl over there is far too short and she really needs a coat or jacket cause it this weather she'll freeze!! Young me would have hated that comment....

What advice would you give now to your 18 year old self?
Never get the Cork to Tralee bus
Wear a coat
Drink more
Enjoy more chocolate while you still can
Rebel more
Wear the clothes you like and not the ones you think people want to see on you
Watch less reality tv, it's bad for the brain
Pick the right Uni course for you not the ones you think will bring you riches

Now its your turn...answer the above questions or try and add some of your own in!

Wise words today? The music is never too loud and you really do need a coat these days, it's cold out

The Bailout

2010-11-22T16:12:00.002Z

I'm not gonna blog about it or even talk about it except to say that I'm not doing it.

Wise words today? Don't mention the bailout....

Graduation Thrills

2010-11-14T17:46:00.000Z

So Graduation Day was last Friday (it's now Sunday so just 2 days ago) and I'm here already doing my post so future Hibernia's can see what to expect on the day!
Friday morning started all top early for my liking...I was rudely awoken by Gavin's annoying alarm on his phone at 6.25 AM!! It killed me but up I got to fall into a pair of jeans a shirt and a cosy jumper for the long drive to Dublin. I'd arranged to check in early to the Clarion on Spencers Dock (approx 10am since I had to register to graduate for 11 and needed girly dressing time) Despite my many phone calls to the Hotel to ensure this would work out the room wasn't ready and I ended up getting ready in the Leisure center, which for the record was very awkward and slightly damp too! But off I went to the Convention Center. I ran into some of the people from my class introduced Gavin to them and I signed myself in nice and quick! I had to go get my fancy gown and cap (or as I called them my Batman cape and goofy hat- I found the cap very awkward to keep on so bring lots of clips) and I went to find Gavin who was tucking into breakfast! We chatted with some more friends and waited (not very patiently for my parents to turn up...late as usual)
We were called to our seats and had fun catching up til we were told exactly what would be happening! The nerves were mounting when some of us girls realised just how long the stage is to be walking in our silly high shoes! Once we were officially Graduated there was a lil wine reception and chance again to catch up! We took some pics and had a glass or 2 and finally went back to the hotel to get ourselves ready for dinner!

My shoes were killing me after the Graduation so I decided to change into a different dress and stay toasty warm in my boots as well, just as well as it was raining at this stage! So this dress you see here didn't actually go out for dinner but it's not important since my feet may not have made it back to the hotel if they'd had to endure the shoes any longer!

We went to a lovely Italian on Dames street called Toscana. This Italian is absolutely to die for! Truly FANTASTIC italian that I can't praise enough! My parents, sister and Gavin were all there as well and we all loved it!

The starters were beyond fab, Gav and I both had something called Suppli which basically put is mozarella cheese and rice in bread crumbs with a garlic dip...sounds stranger I know but it was divine!! Dad had chili meatballs and mom had the salad while my lil sis had garlic bread!! Thats a lot of garlic for one table! As for the mains....WOW!! Dad and I both had fillet steak with pepper sauce! And it was the nicest steak I've ever eaten! Loads of chips and salad there to munch on to! Mom had a seafood pasta dish, Gavin had a funny pizza, folded over so all the toppings were on the inside instead of on top! Looked good but still a funny pizza! Lil sis had a normal pizza with all the toppings on the top where they should be! All mains were highly recommended by our table! We were very bad and indulged in 3 deserts as well, sis and Dad had sticky toffee pudding, they're fav! But not mine...I shared a rich chocolate fudge cake with Gavin! Well he got some of it!! Our lovley waiter Angelo, who had been the nicest waiter I've seen in a long time, put a wee candle on my cake for me since my dearest darling Mammy told him we were celebrating my no longer being a student but now a real TEACHER!! So we got cake! As you can see over there... it's a FAB cake that I'd def say go to Toscana and have a taste!!! (so much so that I'm leaving the link here again!)

We went for a few drinks on our way back to the hotel...the pub next door to Toscana, whatever it was called was ok, decent enough but nothing to rave about! We had a few drinks in the Clarion, not a bad place to drink in when it's quiet but once it started to fill up it was nearly impossible to hear anyone speak!

I'm not so sure I'd be quick to stay in the Clarion again, its nice don't get me wrong but some of the staff weren't great and hadn't a clue! Equally getting ready in the leisure center wasn't fun... But all in all it was a FANTASTIC DAY!!

Wise words today? From my posts of the last few days and weeks I know I've told everyone to make sure they have the dress picked out good and early but now I want to add to that....SHOES!! Make sure they're nice and comfortable as well as matching the dress!!

November Rain

2010-11-05T13:51:00.000Z

So its the first week of November and as per the last post here I've still got no dress for this graduation next friday...which is causing a lot of panic in my house to say the least! But thats not why I want to post today! You'll be glad to hear!
Last night I went to a gig in Cyprus Avenue, not somewhere I've ever been to before but over all its not a bad venue, could do without the giant fan though! Better Fires and Richard O Flynn were playing. Great music and great night had! I'm so good I even left the My Space links here for you, just click the links above!! Great music have a listen!
Meanwhile all is good in the flat, the hot water is pretty much fixed and I'm getting ready for the birthday of Gavin (tomorrow) so I'm all set for a few drinks and some dancing if I'm lucky tomorrow night! As for his pressie, he wants popcorn....I'll eat it for him! And birthday breakfast...a mini fry up in bed he says! With all his favs! Grand so!

Wise words today? Get sausages! He likes them! Also get to MySpace asap...

27 Dresses

2010-11-02T15:51:00.000Z

First off I love shopping as much as the next girl. I enjoy trying on clothes and finding something that I absolutely love! And like most girls I hate being in a shop seeing something that I love and thinking crap I just can't afford it/I have nowhere to wear it to/I'm too old (or young) for that outfit. Then there's the section of the shop that I call I wouldn't be seen dead in! For me thats the section with the tracksuits and hoodies as I hate how I look in them and really don't think I could ever go out in them. For my lil sis its the section with the "grown up" clothes, the shirts and cardigans ie where I shop! But each to their own. The unique way we all shop is what makes us so different and why we love clothes right? To make us different to the crowd, to express ourselves and to show ourselves as people in our own right.
Surely thats why we see people from various cliques in their "standard uniforms" such as the goth look, the emo thing and the trackie junkies? I've no issue to anyone dressing as they want to and once they're happy with it then fine off with you as the mammy says. But when shops assume we all want to be the same really pisses me off. (you knew there was a rant coming all along didn't you???)

Seriously!!!!

I mean I am not the same size as my size 8 sister, nor am I as tall as the woman in the dressing room beside me, nor do the same colours suite me or the same fabrics. I'm a person in my own right and want clothes that suite me!!

This rant comes to you from the lack of graduation dress for the graduation next week!

panic....

So I've spent my week trying on dress after dress after dress and I seriously am starting to panic. I had a nightmare last night that I was at my graduation in my winnie the pooh pjs (odd considering I don't have winnie the pooh pjs but anyway!!)

My question is why do shops all have basically the same thing at the same time? I don't want a clingy skin tight mini but nor do I want a big long maxi dress...I'm too short for the latter and I'm not a size 0 for the former. So can anyone please tell me why it is SO hard to find a nice, normal, classy dress that I can wear and feel comfortable in? I don't want to spend huge money on a party dress and have nowhere else to wear it but at the same time I want something I can wear again and look good in.

Is that too much to ask?

Wise words today? Shop earlier than this for all future graduations. It makes for less stress and more success!

Better late than never: An Update

2010-10-28T17:40:00.001+01:00

It's shocking how long it's been since I did anything here. I don't have an excuse...well I do but my laptop being out of order isn't really one that should stop me blogging when I could just borrow Gavin's laptop like I did today. So the dinner party/house warming went well. The curry was as usual great and the night itself lead to a lot of laughs. We've since cooked for gavs parents. Food was good but I had what my dad calls my dumb blond moment and burnt the saucepans...and the strainer. OOoops! The flat is great, a tad cold still with heating issues and all that but our water tank is being repaired tomorrow and I'm getting into the swing of housework...kinda. I like the cooking part of things mostly, It's more fun when we cook together but since Gav is always working I mostly cook alone. I've been lazy lately and cooked some I mean a lot of pizza...oh well I'm making up for it tonight with a surprise of his fav curry and pilau rice. I've used the washing machine a few times now and generally find it very hard to dry clothes once washed. Turns out the flat being cold makes for cold wet clothes...Yuck! I'm looking for somewhere new to bring my camera for a walk so any suggestions are welcomed!
As for work? Well its not been easy, its been hard to get the 2 days I did get here and even harder to get paid for the work done. But I do now have a teaching council number and I do now get paid as a qualified teacher...silver linings and all that jazz. I'd like to be paid I've things to do with my wages...I'm graduating in just over 2 weeks and need a dress and shoes and at some stage I'm going to have to get my ass to a hairdresser so that when I get to graduation my hair is no longer the weird shade of pink that it currently is! I think I'd like my hair to be a nicer shade of brown, not a mousey shade that it is naturally but a rich chocolate type colour. And I've gone waaaay off point. AGAIN. But don't worry Hibernia, I've booked my appointment and it will be fixed next thursday before the big gig....I'm really looking forward to it! But i'm sure people will be there and if you see me come say hi!!

Right well I could keep rambling on but I've a man (gavin) to cook for and a curry to construct to wow/woo him!

Wise words today? Find a laptop doc as soon as laptop starts to get sick, don't wait until laptop is dead and won't respond...trust me

The Dinner Party

2010-10-08T19:01:00.000+01:00

It's like a right of way, a tradition, a ritual but once you have settled into your new home IT IS VITAL that you have a house warming party!
Gavin agrees with this sentiment and so we've begun to plan ours. Not a easy task I may tell you. There are just some things you don't realise are important when you start planning this "Party of all Parties" It has to be amazing. It has to be different. It has to be special. It has to have chairs to sit on.
This is our first problem, we have only enough seating for 6 people, not the ten we've invited. So we will have to ask people to bring their own chairs?! eek not good! We are also lacking in forks, knives, plates basic eating things...cause this house warming is unique and I'm making an Indian Curry for our party goers...So they really will need all the eating things and those all important chairs to sit on while munching into my scrummy Korma and Tandoori curries. Because I simply have to give a choice, it's a dinner party after all!

So I started off on my shopping list...I need the food, something to drink and OH MY GOD!! I need pots and pans....and dishes, and all those eating things I mentioned already! And I may need people to RSVP...so I know how much food to buy....and plates and forks and knives and glasses and chairs and lions and tigers and bears OH MY!!

But in the Middle of all my PANIC I have one secret weapon...I have the power of magic Indian Curry up my sleevie! (yes Gav I know what a sleevie is..) I have Arun and his wonderful Green Saffron spices....click here for more info and the how to guide to cooking the PERFECT Indian Curry! So glad that Arun and his amazing curries can be found at the Milk Market here on Saturdays along with a long list of places to see here! I'd be lost without him! And of course my house husband Gavin to help me plan, cook, clean and generally help me not panic! Maybe he'll even help me get some eating things and chairs too!

Wise words today? Plan ahead....and get a house husband to help!

Madness - Our House

2010-10-02T19:08:00.000+01:00

So the big move was over a week ago and I've learn a lot....I can clean much better now and I cook far too much! I like it here though! We've had issues with the heating and hot water but have hot water sorted now and I'm working on the heating. I refused to leave the property management place yesterday til I had heating. Now all we need is control over heating...For instance I'd love to be able to turn it on right about now when it's not overly warm after today and being here alone isn't helping it warm up. However we'd heating this morning so it was nice to get up to warm toasty heat this morning. now if only we could keep it that way. It's amazing the lil things you miss from home like heating. And a dishwasher...I'm sure Gav misses the dishwasher. We're close enough to walk to town from here and I've done so. I liked it. Felt good to walk. I walked to the bank too. There's lots of thing closer here then there were at home.
It feels weird to be in charge of a house though. I've got to try the washing machine next, something I'm dreading as its new and I've never used that type before. I've tried the shower here, it took a while to get the hot water going so we went to galway for a shower first. But this shower is ok, its not overly powerful, something Gav hates but its very hot. Which I love even though it burns...
I spent today in the Milk Market and watching tv, nice lazy day. Waiting for X Factor now while Gav is on his way home from work. Its quiet here while he's at work...and cold ha! I've wrapped myself up in a blanket that my lil sis gave us. And I laughed when we got it.. not laughing now so thanks lil sis!
Ah X Factor....the reason we have a saturday night in!

Now for dinner...HURRY UP GAVIN!

Wise words today? Learn how to use washing machine before moving and make sure the heating works.

My Leaving Home Gift!

2010-09-21T22:53:00.001+01:00

So its the second last night in my family home, the one with my parents and sister. So for my last post from this room, this area and this city I thought I'd leave here with a nice parting gift to this site from this room.

Don't worry I'll be back in a day or two from my new address in my new home in my new city (probably with a house warming gift and post too) so here's my parting gift from my lovely bed and I!

For those of you who now think I am stark raving mad, then yes you are probably right! There Gavin, I said it! For the rest of you this is one of my favourite lessons to do in school! It's a great music lesson with such a cute little song! And is fab for the whole healthy eating, taking care of teeth and integrates with SPHE! For the integrated flow diagrams that us Hibernias have had the pleasure of dealing with!
I've even left you the words right here....

You're A Pink Toothbrush, I'm A Blue Toothbrush
have We Met Somewhere Before?
you're A Pink Toothbrush And I Think Toothbrush
that We Met By The Bathroom Door.

glad To Meet Toothbrush, Such A Sweet Toothbrush
how You Thrill Me Through And Through
dont Be Hard Toothbrush On A Soft Toothbrush
'cause I Cant Help Loving You.

every Time I Hear You Whistle...... It Makes My Nylon Bristle.......

you're A Pink Toothbrush, I'm A Blue Toothbrush
won't You Marry Me In Haste?
i'll Be True Toothbrush, Just To You Toothbrush
when We Both Use The Same Toothpaste.

Wise words today? pack quicker Hellie! And sing the song loud and proud!

Another week bites the dust

2010-09-15T17:17:00.000+01:00

It's been a week since I posted here again. I'm shockingly bad for the ole posting and blogging these days. I should really be given out to for it. I can't say I've been up to much which is probably why I haven't been posting. There's been no subbing and far too much bad tv to warrant a post... I've been sending out cvs like there's no tomorrow and still nothing so I'm gonna go out on a limb and blame that for my total lack of Anseo blog posts. That and I went to kerry on hols as well. Well a weekend holiday but still it was away. And I'm off to Bermingham on Saturday for boxing as well so its another mini holiday before the big growing up next week.
Oh? Says you..Anseo can get even more grown up? Yes I can. I'm moving out of home to a new flat with Gav. I know I know culture shock! But still its a start surely at growing up? There's a list of things I'm told that we should bring. I've got some bits but I'm sure there's more that I'll forget. If I start the list maybe you can add to it??
********* I'll start the list here.... **********
Surface cleaner-for bathroom and kitchen
toilet cleaner
toilet rolls
hand towels
bath towels
toothbrush
shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, sponge
shower mat
shower curtain
bed clothes-quilt, pillows, quilt cover, pillow cases, sheets
clothes
washing basket
washing powder
comfort
kitchen roll
kitchen towels

Wise words today? Make the list and check it twice

2010-09-07T16:15:00.000+01:00

Well its been almost a week since the schools went back and we've all heard the stories about the little junior infants who started school without tears, the ones who ran in full of the joys of spring and loved every second of it. I wonder to be honest what changes them from the happy little children who can't wait to go to "big school" when they love school and all is wonderful. A place where they can make new friends, learn new songs, learn their numbers, their letters and know all the colours of the rainbow! Who wouldn't love that? But what happens to bring a child who throughout junior infants love school to the stage they get to in 6th class where they hate school? It baffles me no end. I can't say I kept the same sense of wonder I had in junior infants right up through my school career but I didn't despise school like so many kids today do. I just don't understand it. I asked around, friends kids and family members to see what they think...
Some of the kids I asked were still young, 1st class young and so still liked school but not as much as they did when they were in "babies" as they called it. I felt I had to ask why and I was promptly told (in such a manner that said I just should have known) "cause it gets boring and hard". I had to giggle as this child is a complete brain box and would rings around anyone!
I asked a child in 4th class, I was told that he'd enjoy school if his teacher was nicer, said last years teacher wasn't very nice and this teacher is too new to be nice. Seems like its going to be a tough year in that class when poor teacher is being judged already by the class! Still though I was told the best part of school was PE and his friends "if school was all PE and lunch it'd be much more fun..but I guess music and Science are ok too"
Finally a new into secondary school 1st year girl said by the time she reached 6th class she felt like she was too big for some aspects of school and was generally bored. She may have been exceptionally bright or she may have a point in so far as us teachers forget that as a child goes up through the school, they get more grown up, need more freedom and trust and maybe we forget to give them that so they feel like their too big to be there?
I just don't know...It's just a theory! Either way I think as we start into a new year we should be aware of any child who looks to bored, fed up or lost in school. School should be fun, interesting, enjoyable, and should encourage every child to be curious and full of wonder!! Make it fun! Make it interesting! Make it real!

Wise words today? Be you, don't become those stuffy ole teachers we all hated when we were in school, learning should be fun, lets keep it that way!

Last Day of Summer

2010-08-31T22:28:00.000+01:00

So tomorrow is D day, the day when all children, parents and teachers are officially back at school. Some have been back since Monday, others today but by tomorrow at 9am every school going child and teenager will be trudging off to school and facing back to reality. Every shop I visited today had signs promoting their back to school goods. Each one trying to out-do the other one. Each one offering a selection of "offers" and "deals" and "specials" every child's hell and a mothers nightmare. Can't really blame them.

I remember being in primary school and loving August and the back to school specials. I loved buying my school stuff, getting a new pencil case and a new school bag, picking out my lunch box and my shoes. That odd obsession continued on right through secondary school and Gavin would say it's still there if last August was anything to go by. I may have gotten overly excited about a pack of 3 hard book notebooks in Easons and a pen with a twirling Mr Bump on it. I'm sure he thought I was stark raving mad. I'm sure that opinion hasn't changed.. He still has to drag me kicking and screaming out of what he dubs "Teacher Shops" so that I don't go mad buying resources for a class that I don't have. Oops. I just can't help myself. I may have given in today when Gav wasn't there to control my teacher shopping impulses but the less said about that the better right?

This time last year I was making plans for tp2, seems like a life time ago. So to those who are starting on tp2 in the coming weeks I'll say this. It's easier in ways than tp1, you have a better idea of what to expect but it is a lot more work and a lot more is expected of you. So be ready. Have the modular plan ready as early as possible but be flexible and ready to alter it as needs be. Have resources ready and prepared. Keep everything. Throw nothing out. As for art, get as much of the assignment done as possible in tp2 as it's very difficult to get it all done on tp3. Not only that but it allows time to correct anything you are not happy with. Finally.... enjoy it.

For all those lucky enough to have secured to work in schools in these hard times-well done and good luck in school!

Wise words today? Keep applying for jobs, something will come up and you can then go on a TEACHER SHOPPING SPREE!!

My Saturday Afternoon in!

2010-08-28T15:49:00.001+01:00

So my weekend is turning out to be the same as my week days. Alone and bored I am. Again. So I decided to go back to my childhood and have a Disney day. So I'm curled up on my bed watching Aladdin. As you may have guessed the above is my ultimate fav disney song. Still gives me goosebumps when I hear it! I am the ultimate big child I know. But it's such a happy film. That and Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and The Lion King which are all symbols and ways to sum up my childhood I guess. I'm a total Disney nerd. I loved the Disney shop in Belfast and I still regret not getting myself a Micky Mouse keyring. Which I'm sure Gav thinks I'm already well on my way to crazy!!

The Genie has just arrived on my screen-I love Robin Williams! He's amazing, such a a large collection of fantastic voices. He's one of a kind. I loved him in Mrs Doubtfire and Hook! One of my fav non Disney films as a child growing up! I loved it! I love Peter Pan so I guess it stands to reason that I'd love Hook! I always wanted to fly.... And obviously Aladdin (I wanted his flying carpet as a kid too!) He's a very talented man. Although I'll be the first to admit that there are quite a few films in which he doesn't use his talents quite as we'd like to see him use them. Either way that won't take away from my afternoons entertainment of Aladdin.

Disney really did a great job of this film. I had the VHS when they were out. It was such a huge treat to be brought to see a Disney film in the cinema. Even having a Disney on video was a huge deal. Now thanks to my lil sis I have it on DVD! The quality is fantastic! So clear! The colours are so bright! And the storyline is exceptional! Well I am biased! The jokes and gags in this are amazing, I'm in knots laughing! Some of those ones that only the grown ups will get! The music in this is beyond great. I could have Disney songs in my car all day and be more than happy!

Wise words today? Relive your childhood and enjoy it!

Not sure what to actually say

2010-08-25T22:04:00.000+01:00

It's been exactly two weeks since the end of the exams. Not much has changed in the last two weeks. I'm still at home and I'm still really really missing Hibernia.
Hibernia gave my day and me some structure. Something I'm lacking now. It gave me a purpose a reason to get up. Something again I feel I no longer have. My day is filled with pretty mindless mundane rubbish. From Monday mornings I get up late and spend the day watching bad tv, playing online and waiting for the weekend to come around again so I can have some fun. Study gave me a structured day, something to focus on for the week. It gave me purpose, an aim. Something to do basically. I miss study. I miss the need to do something. I miss the enrichment that study gave me, the reasons to get up. Even though while I was studying all day it was all I could think about, talk about and do, even though I resented that before the exams. I now know better. I know that study is something that I need. I feel empty without it. I feel lost and alone.

Wise words today? enjoy it while it lasts, it'll be gone soon and you'll realise how much you really loved it and need it

The Leaving Certificate (eek)

2010-08-19T15:57:00.000+01:00

So yesterday was the day. The day when thousands of teenagers across Ireland opened the big white A4 envelops that contained their futures. LEAVING CERT DAY!
Eeek!
How well I remember it. Leaving cert they say is the best year of your school life. I didn't believe them, those experts who had finished and left school already. I mean how could they be serious? The biggest and most terrifying exam ever at the end of your school life and they expect you to enjoy it? Obviously these nut jobs had never done transition year. I hated to admit it, they were right. I loved my leaving cert year! The exams themselves were a bit of blur. I had one solid week from Wednesday to Wednesday with no day off. We went to England on hols the next morning. The results are somewhat blurry too but I do remember having to work after getting them. Cruel boss! His sister was my Irish teacher so she got me outta working the full day and I still got to head to breakfast with my class. I think that night we all went to a quiet pub and had a good few drinks! After that I don't know. I assume we went home, the group I was out with def wouldn't have been out all night so we musta gone back! I do remember the nerves and feeling ill worrying about them. Especially the night before.
So for everyone who got their results yesterday-CONGRATS! The news was full of happy smiling faces yesterday, lots of people who were delighted with their results. People who had amazing results llike 9 A1s, or the girls in Loretto Fermoy who both got 8 A1s. Meanwhile for the people who weren't happy with their results or in some 4000 cases failed maths and so their leaving cert, don't panic. I did Arts first and then got to do teaching which I wanted all along. These things have a way of working themselves out. There are loads of people every year who start a course and hate it so they change. More often then not its for the best!
As for the rest of us?? Just be glad we're past all that and didn't have to endure the messy night out that was last night!

Wise words today? follow the yellow brick road follow the yellow brick road

Shooting Stars or Fireworks??

2010-08-17T22:02:00.001+01:00

The days following the exams were different. I had high hopes and expectations. I had wanted to travel, have a holiday a mad night out the usual after exam antics! Instead I enjoyed a few BBQs, nothing to sniff at really they were great fun and my Gavin was there so I really enjoyed them. However I am still left with a nagging feeling in my belly...
It took days to work it out, what that nagging, annoying upsetting feeling was but I managed it. I worked it out. It's ANTICLIMAX. I don't like it. I think part of me expected fireworks to go off at the end of the exams, that the world wold stop for a minute and just celebrate me and the amazing feat that is surviving Hibernia and the exams. Somewhere along those lines my fireworks musta gotten damp or lost in the post cause they still haven't gone off and I'm still waiting for them...
The nearest I can say I had was the shooting stars on Saturday night when I was in Kerry. Now those were amazing. Nothing anticlimatic about them! However I still feel the need to find something to make my life more like shooting stars.
I may actually miss study. There's something missing and I think its Hibernia. I have no reason or urge to check my email. It's weird. Like Freaky Friday. I'm not the only one who think like this, ask the Hibernias in my class, they all feel lost too. It's like being in mourning for study and exams.
On a different note....if anyone remembers this time last year as we arrived home from the Gaeltacht??? And I went on hols with Gav? What happened as we drove home? Yep Lilah Bocht happened.... Well thankfully Penny is ok now but her exhaust did fall out on the road back from Kerry on Sunday. Ironically it was the same week, almost the same day as Lilah Bocht, coming home from the same place and all. Gavin will no longer let me drive down there, he insists that in future if we go there he drives. Fine I snapped in anger that poor Penny Lane was in dire need of an exhaust transplant. She's all better now! After a spin on the tow truck that is!

Wise words today? Keep looking for fireworks, if they not around try looking for shooting stars!

The Exams

2010-08-16T20:48:00.000+01:00

Well they are well and truly over. It's now monday a week since we started the exams. And I've taken the last few days to chill out and enjoy. But now its time to fill in the gaps of what Hibernia exams entail for Hibernia students.
Monday was Gaelige. I covered poetry, informal irish and reading non textbooks. I basically covered these 3 and crossed my fingers that they'd come up just as I wanted them. Thankfully they did. However there were a lot of people in my class who woulda liked the questions to come up differently so I would def suggest having a back up.
Tuesday was teaching foundations. So the ologies as I call them. I did Religion-the Sacraments and History of Ed as well as philosophy of Ed. Again I was lucky enough. Bar the history question it was all good. Again I'd say have back up options-I woulda loved one.
Wednesday was teaching methodologies. How to teach subjects and what not. This is a very broad paper so be ready with lots of subjects covered and all the practical sides ready ie assessment, planning etc. Don't skimp on it be ready and overly prepared. It's like tp. It's more practical then the others and a lot of it you know already but its still a hard paper and takes a lot of study.

As for the 3 days in Dublin? Well they were tough. It's an emotional rollercoaster. Bring chocolate and be ready to eat a lot, sleep little and be in dire need of diet coke all the time. Make time to have proper breakfasts, lunch and dinner. If at all possible eat with classmates-they are the only ones who will understand the stress you're under and the need to panic/rant/cry. They are essential to the few days. SHARE! Chocolate, notes, ideas everything you can to get ye through it all.

Wise words today? Breath in and out. Get a decent pen cause the hand will be worn off you during the exams....I'd suggest a bouncy one or one with a grip on it that kids use in school.

Just one Cornetto

2010-08-04T23:05:00.000+01:00

It's wednesday night and I'm looking into the longest few days of my life. The exams start on Monday. This time next week I'll be free from study-at last. I'm fairly certain I'm driving my family mad at home with my severe anti social behaviour, locking myself in my room to study at night, taking over the breakfast bar during the day. But I am pleased to say I haven't actually yelled at anyone here yet or gotten really grumpy with them yet. From what I can tell. Gavin on the other hand is getting the brunt of my grumpiness. I'm not pleasant. On the plus side it's only a few more days. I'll be making the long trek back to Dublin this sunday lunch time to face into the hardest few days yet. On Monday we have irish, should be ok I hope. Tuesday is the ologies. Wednesday is the methodologies. Then Wednesday afternoon I'll be looking for a way to celebrate my new found freedom. So any suggestions are greatly welcomed. And needed as I'll be driving back to Cork to spend the time hopefully doing something amazing to enjoy the unknown freedom. It's always been the norm to celebrate the end of exams by going with your class or friends having a few drinks and enjoying life. Since its not an option I have this year I'd love some new suggestions....
Once the exams are over I'm going back to my roots and enjoying the life of a student ha :) I wanna go to the sun-I can't so fully intend on getting a paddling pool for the garden and crossing my fingers that the sun arrives in my back garden so I can soak it up with some fancy mojitos or other such cocktail type drinks! At the very least I'll be holed up with my dvd player and a selection of dvds I bought in Belfast the other week for after the exams. I can't wait. Also have plans to get fit but I think that may have to wait until after my garden hols!

Wise words today?
Studying expands knowledge, knowledge is power, power corrupts, corruption is a crime, crime doesn’t pay. Why study?

If you have both feet planted on level ground, then the university has failed you. Robert F. Goheen

DISCLAIMER: I hereby declare that answers written above r true 2 the best of mine & my friend's knowledge & I claim no responsibility whatsoever 4 any mistakes. Whatever I have written is truly fictitious & any resemblance with the Subject Matter is purely Coincidental."

Growing Hibernia

2010-07-31T16:35:00.000+01:00

It's almost as though my internal clock read my post last night and decided it was time to start the exam panic alarm. I didn't sleep well at all. I never do when the exams start creeping up on me too quickly for my liking. I don't like it, was up half the night and decided to put my inability to sleep to good use by watching the Andy Lee fight last night....It wasn't televised. Growl.
However I'm still thinking about Hibernia today. It's a day for reflection I think. Brought on mainly by Gav's need to know when the Graduation is on. I've graduated before obviously from UCC. And been to Gav's one last year but this one is still different. For me it's because I've worked very hard for this. It's been a long course and I've put my heart and soul into it from the get go. It's all I've wanted for as long as I can remember. It's a time of growth this finishing a post grad lark. I've worked hard and come a long way from the Arts Graduate I was in Feb 09. Now I'm a soon to be fully qualified teacher. Both personally and professionally I've come a long way. Or so says Gavin anyway. I think I'm the same Hellie I was when I started this course but maybe Gavin sees a bigger difference then I do. I don't know.
Hibernia is def a time of growth, or at least it was for me anyway. I was all so young starting as a GST, I'm slightly older now but I still feel very immature young. I also intend on staying that way for the record. I don't fancy being a grown up any time soon. In the meantime I'll stay as carefree as I can.

Wise words today? GO STUDY HELLIE STOP TALKING SHITE!

Errant thoughts of the Day

2010-07-30T22:50:00.000+01:00

T-9 days to the start of exams! I'm ok I think. I haven't had the usual panic of "Oh My God I can't do this!!!" However there are plently more days for that so watch this space.
I could talk about my study and my study plans but I fear I'd bore you to tears. My class and friends know what we should be doing and are doing it. And I def need to thank them for sharing everything!
As for me, well I've been thinking a lot lately about my Hibernia time. It's been hard I won't lie. If you are starting Hibernia this year in Oct or Feb be prepared for some amazing highs and some soul destroying lows. Enjoy this summer, It is the last one for a long time that you can really enjoy without study and exams and the Gaeltacht! I still find it strange to be so close to finishing Hibernia. I never thought this day would come. I'm not silly I know I had exams to do sooner or later but I guess I really was in denial that I'd ever have to do them. No idea why when it states very clearly that there are exams etc. I was the same with TP and thinking it would never happen to me (knowing full well I'd have to do it!!)

Think Gavin summed it up best earlier this evening: "It's hard to believe Hibernia is nearly done"

When I realise that really we've always had Hibernia in our lives it really is hard to believe that we won't have it very soon. It won't be taking over my life and in a lot of ways Gavin's life. I really couldn't have done Hibernia without Gavin. We've always had Hibernia so it will def be weird to be without it. Be like missing a limb at first I guess. Is still have fears that my brain will go to mush without study and courses to do but Gav assures me it won't....I'm not convinced but I'll have to wait and see cause right now my brain is mush from study! It's still a scary thought to be leaving Hibernia....no matter what way you look at it.

Wise words today? Enjoy the moment and the Course-it's over all too soon!

The Final Hurdle

2010-07-26T22:54:00.000+01:00

It's nearing the end of July and my time at Moyle Park is over. I enjoyed most of it, found a lot of it very tough and difficult and it wasn't the students I was teaching and spent some good times with some great friends. Who if they should happen to read this know exactly who they are just how much I now miss them and how they made my stay in Clondalkin easier.

Ultimately I'm not sure I coulda survived the few weeks up there without certain friends there with words of comfort and some hugs. As for the further afield comfort I had my Gavin with so much comfort for me he was like the Cloth Family from the Comfort ads!

<------- Gavin :)

Now I'm back home things are looking curiouser and curiouser as Alice would say. It's exactly 2 weeks to my exams and the pressure is on. I'm panicy and worried and in need of more hugs than ever before. I think I found it easier to be in denial whilest in Dublin then now...Somehow they look all too close now I'm home again. It's a scarey thought knowing I'll be free in just a few days time. I won't be a Hibernia student any longer. It's something thats basically defined me for the best part of 2 years now. I'm not sure who I'll be at the end of Hibernia other then another teacher on the never ending job hunt but I guess I can safely say I'll always be Hellie and I'm sure the rest will fall into place! Right? I'll even miss the study, kinda. It's been the major part of my life for such a long time that I'm not totally sure what it is I'm ment to be doing after the exams. I'm looking into courses and night classes in fun things already. I'm so afraid that my brain will turn to mush when I'm no longer a college student. God that's a horrible thought. Me as a grown up and no longer a student. Not sure how I feel about that just yet but I'm sure I'll get used to it and find some way to fill my days up. I can say one thing I won't be doing-I'm not gonna take up the gym like another friend of mine has done so you get daft idea outta your head ha!

I'm going to head to sleep now soon, it's late ish (22.41) and I want to be up nice and early to get to bank, post office and study too. Not to mention I'm hoping if I'm really good my Daddy will BBQ for me as a welcome home dinner!

Wise words today? TIME MANAGEMENT! Try it and benefit from it (and let me know how to do it!)

Politics in Schools

2010-07-21T21:18:00.000+01:00

I've worked in many places over the years, from supermarkets to cosmetics to Mothercare. Everywhere I've been I've had the joy of witnessing office politics... Now politics is usually something I stay well clear of cause as Gavin can vouch for I haven't a clue and generally don't get politics. I'm not very up to date with them no matter how hard I try I usually miss something vitally important and end up lost... I've always tried to avoid work place politics finding it safer to do so. But it's a lot harder then it looks to avoid. I recently came across it between a small group of friends where one of them was def being treated better for some reason....while the other two were more of less ignored. It seemed odd at first until I discovered the reasons behind it. Now it wasn't resolved nor was anything said about it. But the two noted it and decided to watch out for it in the future.It can be as small as one teacher getting an easier class or the better behaved class but it's all politics and I've come to the conclusion that it is def worse in schools where most of the staff are female. I know thats a tad gender biased but I think we can all admit that us girls tend to be a wee bit bitchier to each other and all that. Not that I condone that kinda thing but I've seen it happen and I'm not naive enough to think that it doesn't happen everywhere. I'm not a bit sure how to avoid the politics in a school setting, being a sub and all. However I think when it comes to it, I will be aiming to avoid it like the plague, it just makes life harder and far too messy for my liking. I figure just smile and nod and if you feel you're treated unfairly then maybe it may be better to talk to someone like a principal or something? I don't know but I'd love some opinions so I'm better prepared.....

Wise words today? Don't get involved, just have tea instead (or hot chocolate for Hellie)

My Birthday Treat

2010-07-19T22:54:00.001+01:00

So as twitter people, Gavin and Niamh all know last Saturday was my birthday. I don't like my birthday as a general rule, I'm not a big fan of having to actually grow up. Somthing I have been fighting against for years and years. This year (sightly longer but for the purpose of this post we'll say a year) I've had something worth growing up for. I've had Gavin. My darling silly boy who is practically perfect in every way (thanks for the quote there Mary Poppins). He's gonna argue this and say "I'm so so" or claim that I've got ocean madness but after you read this post I'm sure you'll agree with my assessment and that my Gavin is AMAZING.

Last Friday I was in school. Obviously but all good stories start with the basic settings (yes I went to UCC and did English for 3 years for that little nugget of brilliance-they also have characters but thats obviously me and Gavin since it says so clearly in the intro up there....)

So...as I was saying I was in school and the day started fairly well. Classes went well. At small tea break I got a birthday hug (I love hugs by the by) and by big break that hug came with a cake and a card! (Thanks again hon!) So off to the extra class I went as happy as Larry (still no idea who this larry is...) and full to the brim with chocolate cake! Class was ok, nothing amazing but passable. I'll admit I was far more interested in my weekend which was promising to be amazing. I had a make up appointment in Liffey Valley after school, as an aside if you ever fancy getting your make up done this side of Dublin go to Jane in Benefit she is fab! Anyway I got my make up done and bought a few bits (oops) and went to HMV where Gavin had asked me to pick up 500 Days of Summer for his younger brother. Odd I thought a girly film but I won't complain since I love that film!

As I was paying for the dvd I saw him. The one the only the man in my life, my Gavin. (told you he's amazing) he brought me to my car, sent me back to the house I'm staying in (while he followed me) and told me to park Penny Lane there and put my bag into his car (Lola) and trust him. Naturally I did as I was told. As we were driving along he fed me all sorts of stories of where we were going from Cork to Kerry to Scotland and even to the airport. We went north to Belfast, somewhere I've been dying to go for years.

He had a hotel booked and off we went to find the Tara Lodge. When we got there I have to say it was just perfect. Bed was lovely and big and bathroom had lovely shower once we managed to get it working! We went to the Indian down the road The Moghul where we were delighted to find some of the nicest food we'd eaten in a long time. We opted for the early night on Friday after school and the drive. Breakfast isn't something I generally enjoy as a rule. But the breakfast in the Tara Lodge is much talked about and for very good reasons. It was a nice simple start to the day, Gavin had poached eggs on toast while I indulged in pancakes in honey and lemon. Well it was my birthday! I could have a bold breakfast if I liked.....It was delicious and I def recommend it to anyone who isn't a big breakfast eater! We went shopping then.....

I was fairly good and didn't go mad shopping on Saturday. I behaved. We had a lovely big lunch in Victoria Square in Frankie and Bennys where Gavin indulged in the meat platter and I had a lovely thin based pepperoni and red onion pizza. YUMMY! We decided to head to on the open top bus tour then so we could see the sights and enjoy the weather (which was fairly good at the time!) The tour guide was very good, very witty and honest about some of the less nice aspects of the Norths Capital. Can honestly say I really enjoyed it! We finished up the afternoon with a well deserved pint in The Crown Bar (across from the Europa hotel). It's one of the nicest bars I've been into and the little snugs are just fantastic. Very busy little spot though so don't delay getting there or you won't get a seat. We just had the 2 drinks there before we decided to go back for a shower, t'was very warm for those of us who were walking around all day!

Saturday night we went for a chinese. Food was great even though I found the place itself to be very chilly, Gavin disagrees. Think it was called the Lee Garden. I would say since we went quite late in the evening well after 9pm that we expected the place to be quiet. It was, there were a few people there before us and a few more after us. The problem I had was the family who brought 3 small kids there that late and let them scream and cry and basically upset the lovely quiet peaceful meal we were having. I'm sure the other tables agreed as we were the only ones who were looking at the screaming kids.

Sundays breakfast was just as good, I had pancakes again. With the excuse being that there are no calories in anything on a Sunday....Thanks Gav! Gavin went for the English Fry with the same theory in mind. We also got a huge basket of toast yummy! With real butter! We went back into town for a bit, discovered that shops don't actually open there til 1 so we were a tad early and had to wait around in the rain til places opened. It was warm but wet. Didn't do much damage, Gavin got a few bits in Next's sale. And I got a fab dress in Republic.Dress is fab but the girl at the till left the security tag on it so now I'm a tad stuck.....We opted to start the long road back to Dublin via Newry where I picked up some nice bits for the parents and sister. Noting major but I'll just say Sainsburys played a big part in it all! As did A-Wear but that was for me!

I'm sure after reading this you'll agree that my Gavin is amazing and should be told so? He organised the best weekend we've had in ages and we got loads of alone time while seeing a whole new city. I love little mini breaks, tis like a holiday from real life just going to Belfast. Best pressie I coulda gotten! Best pressie I've ever gotten!

Thanks Gavin x x x love you x x x x x

Wise words today? GIVE HUGS AND THANKS AND PRAISE TO GAVIN!!

I'm sorry

2010-07-14T22:45:00.000+01:00

I need to say sorry for the lack of blogging here lately, Dublin is proving as hard as it was last year. I thought it would be easier having more friends here and knowing the place better. But it isn't. Instead its study study study. Feeling very lonely here and missing my creature comforts. Missing my Gavin. And as such I didn't wanna bore you with my rambling on and feeling sorry for myself. I thought I'd be blogging loads but it turns out I have little or nothing to say when I just feel so alone. I don't wanna inflict that on you so to speak. Whoever you are you don't need or deserve my misery here. Today started out as better, I had Gavin to look forward to. He was doing a day trip here with the family so I tagged along for a bit. It was short lived and I had to say goodbye well before I was ready to. Still it made me feel better for that brief time to have someone with me. I had great plans for tomorrow, they were cancelled. I won't go into details but needless to say that threw me again and I found myself very upset. I'm tucked up in bed now with my laptop and msn, so Gav can keep me company before I head off to sleeps and start again tomorrow. Hopefully when I come back here in a few days time things will be better and I'll be looking forward to getting home to my own bed and creature comforts.

I hope

Wise words today? Always bring Sally no matter where you go

Teachers through the ages

2010-07-08T23:02:00.002+01:00

Wise words today? Schools would be great if it wasn't for the parents

3 down only eh.....12 to go?

2010-07-07T19:02:00.000+01:00

So I've taught my first proper class in lower inter English. Hmmm they could be better, they could try harder and they could make a bigger effort-and thats just the teachers hahaha
Seriously though it went well as can be expected. Nothing amazing but then again are they ever in the first week? As the week goes on I'm getting less and less study done, kinda getting worried now about it. But I'm gonna log off after this and work away for a hours and hours until exhausted I fall into a heap into bed and re awaken some time in Sep this year....wishful thinking? Probably. The school being what is it we do school tours and this Saturday I'm off to Dalkey Castle. I've never been there but I'm told its lovely. I can't wait. No honestly I can't I'm going with a friend from the school and we'll have a bit of a giggle while there touring and babysitting ha. Then I start the long drive to Galway....to Gavin * day dreams *

Anyway all is going well in Dublin, had my afternoon out in Dublin on Sunday as I said and I'm thinking maybe Friday I'll revisit my ole favourite Liffey Valley for a hour or two. I always loved it there....It's a great escape for a little while. That and I love the shops there! Spent a lot of last summer there last year and had a ball. And didn't even go mad shopping- can't and won't promise that this year!!

Wise words today? Don't over plan just wing it

Trainee teacher to challenge denial of education grant | BreakingNews.ie

2010-07-06T22:33:00.000+01:00

Trainee teacher to challenge denial of education grant | BreakingNews.ie

Wise words today? READ THIS!! LOL Wondering where does that leave the rest of us now....I really hope she wins this as Hibernia is very costly course and experience and every little bit helps (hehe)

Now I'm Here....Now I'm here...Look around

2010-07-04T22:52:00.000+01:00

In case the hint above isn't enough to tell by the title of todays post is a lyric of a Queen song. Bet you knew that eh Gavin? And you too Niamh?

Well its all in reference to my landing in Dublin today. WITHOUT THE KITCHEN SINK-you know who you are smart ass! I hit city center today, got lost but managed to find my way thanks to my knight in shining armour-cheers Niamh! Had a ball today really enjoyed the girly day out!! I then braved the directions that I can never follow to find my way back to the Luas (again Niamh brought me so it wasn't really that hard) and back to the red cow luas stop. I made it! I even found the long mile road....somewhere I didn't think was real and figured it was just a makey up place like Kerry or Galway (sorry Gavin...) So I'm in my cozy new bed with the alarm set for tomorrow so head to Clondalkin again for year 3 of this madness. The flights were all delayed I'm told so the madness began (delayed) yesterday! I have a vague (I know I'll find it by the skin of my teeth) idea how to get there in the morning for the testing and grading of my new students-bring it on!

So for now I'm settle into my leaba (still miss my own leaba) and try to hit the land of nod (poor my bed must miss me)

Sweet Dreams Baile Atha Cliath

Wise words today? Clearys and Arnotts are NOT the same place....don't confuse them again

The realisation

2010-07-03T00:38:00.000+01:00

It's Friday night and the lights are low....Looking out for a place to go! I need a new sound track to pack to...
I'm almost packed, most of my clothes are sorted and have my study books-all except two. And I have to get my make up and girly bits then in the morning. Almost there. It's a long progress but it's a work. A work of art some would say...not my parents mind you who think my ability to pack is nothing short of a disgrace. But ah well.
I was just reminded that this is my last night in my own bed for a few weeks...a horrible thought. I adore my bed. My bed is one of my closest friends, we have great sleep overs and a great friendship. So much so I find it hard to leave bed on a daily basis. lol I love the comfort of being in my own bed and being toasty and cozy.... (hugs bed) Mind you I love the reunion after a long spell away from bed...it always seems so much more comfortable after a few weeks away from it.
As for my last night at home? I was fed my last supper as they called it. A lovely rare BBQed steak with all the trimmings-chips, pepper sauce and onion rings! YUMMY! I love it! Delicious. Hits the spot as Gavin would say. Now I'm curled up in my leaba watching ER and wishing I could put my bed into my car and take it with me.

Wise words today? A cuddle means a lot when you just need a hug

The List

2010-07-01T22:41:00.000+01:00

It's Thursday night and in 1.5 days I'm off to Dublin (via Loughrea). It's that time of the year again it's Moyle Park time! It's odd how much I look forward to those few weeks of madness with spanish students and the french brazilian etc. It's essentially a mad house.
So I'm staying with a friend this year and I'm trying to pack as I type. It's not going well. Obviously since I'm here at my laptop being all nerdy and blogging about my need to pack instead of actually packing. This year is slightly more complicated however since I have to make sure to bring my Hibernia notes to study as well my TEFL notes and worksheets. So it now looks like I'm moving out altogether I've got so many books to lug around with me. As well as the printer for the next lot of notes! Mom then went into mothering over drive and started packing the kitchen sink. I have enough food to sink a battle ship....I'm sure I can make headway into it however. I'm looking forward to the classes, the craic in the staffroom, the gossip with the other teachers, catching up with friends living in Dublin (hint hint) and maybe some shopping too!
I'll get back to packing and try to keep this updated-I'll have the net there so expect a lot of rambling and study avoidance! I'm good at that!

Wise words today? The kitchen sink will not fit into a suit case in my car....

Micheal Jackson-One year later

2010-06-25T16:03:00.000+01:00

It's a year today that the great M.J passed away. TV3 and RTE both have documentary's on tonight to celebrate his life. Fans all over the world are remembering the King Of Pop.
I asked on Twitter today where you were when you heard the news this time last year....

I was in Limerick with Gavin, as usual. We were in town having a few drinks, sat in a sports bar watching something-I've no idea what. But Gavin was very excited to be watching it. Maybe he remembers?? Anyway we were sat outside, it being lovely and mild and the sports bar had a huge widescreeen tv in the window of the bar so we were quite happy. We sat there with our drinks discussing our trip to London to see M.J in sep. While sat there Gavin's dad text us to tell us he was dead. Needless to say I didn't believe him and figured it was a piss take. Gav asked the guy in the bar to throw on Sky News. When we saw on the news that is was true we were horrified.

We went to London anyway but the absence of M.J was felt keenly.

So where were you? How did you hear the news?

Wise words today? Play Billie Jean and Thriller. And Dance!

My Average Run Of the Mill Dull Night

2010-06-23T21:59:00.000+01:00

It's 9.42. I'm in bed and I've been here since just before 9. I'm finding as the I get older I'm getting more boring. The exams are looming and I'd give anything to have them done so I can be a normal person again and get out. I'd love to be one of those people who has the option of going out 7 nights a week and having fun. Although I have a sneaking suspicion I wasn't one of those people even before Hibernia took over my life. I've given a lot of grinds over the course helped a lot of people to get into the course and the one thing I was always told and always told my grinds is to be prepared to have no life at all. I had no life to start with so it's not so much of a culture shock to me but I've got itchy feet again and would kill for a proper night out with a big group of non exam stressed friends. A night of dancing, too many cocktails and too much drinkies. A night of gossip and giggles-like I enjoyed so much all those years ago in 2nd year (UCC). I'd love to be going out tonight and being the Dancing Queen. Instead I'll have to be content with a night in (again) and the crap on tv-not many choices as usual. The world cup-vomit! Celeb Salon-groan! It's a choice of bad bad and worse. A break from the hard work, work thats mainly done alone, is badly needed. Just a pity all of us Hibernia's have such little time to enjoy a night out together. Ah well maybe I'll hibernate?

Wise words today? Make time to be go out with friends-they'll keep you sane during the course and trust me you'll need those nights of dancing and drinking a lot more than you realise.

Summary Question

2010-06-23T16:47:00.000+01:00

Wise words today? It will end EVENTUALLY.....

BBC NEWS | Health | Feeling grumpy 'is good for you'

2010-06-22T16:06:00.000+01:00

BBC NEWS | Health | Feeling grumpy 'is good for you'

Wise words today? Let me be grumpy!! And let me do it in Peace!