The Destitute Teacher

Recently I had the sweetest student teacher in my class. It was a thought provoking experience- it certainly makes you aware of your own little idiocyncrasies and question why yourself about your teaching and learning program. It also means that for a block of time (in this case, one week), you have a student teacher in full control of your class. So all of a sudden you have time to GET THINGS DONE (of course I was still busy supporting them in their new role etc, but it is nowhere as full on as fulltime teaching). It was a bit of a shock to the system initially. There are so many things to get done that I didn't quite know where to start. However, after 5 minutes the shock wore off and my hands and mind were racing. I have been meaning to create some more learning activities for my two dyslexic students, and here was the perfect opportunity. First stop- Adrian Bruce. Adrian runs an amazing website dedicated to free, printable learning games and activities. If you haven't...

We don't have a couch in our class this year. When I moved into the new (but oh so very old) classroom at the start of the year, there was no couch available. And I am yet to source one myself (still looking). I miss the couch, its a lovely place for the children to snuggle with a book, to rest if feeling unwell or to perch on as a privilege. In the past I would have a quick lie down on our class couch before a late night meeting or in an odd lunch break if feeling unwell. Classroom couches are often saggy baggy and wrinkly (much like me), and usually have ripped covers and horrific stains (seriously.... where did those off putting marks come from?) Last year I managed to pick up some throw cushions for our class couch for the bargain price of $1 each from Habitat for Humanity. They were quite big, nice and comfy and an uninspiring beige color. A run through the washing machine with half a bottle of disinfectant and they were good to go.... but really really boring. Of cou...