Supply Teaching

We had to curtail our jaunt to Roman Bath because daughter was unwell...swine flu. We drove home the 400 miles on Thursday, leaving Bath at 11.30am, and back home in Clydebank at 7.30pm, after a couple of stops.

On Monday morning, I awoke early with the intention of using the sunshine to finally plant some trees that have been awaiting planting for some time.

Sadly, at 8.20am, the phone rang. Could I be at school for 9 to cover a class. I said yes, but after I had put the phone down, I relalised that somehow....the class stage had been.....not mentioned.

I got to the school at 8.55am. And it was Primary 2.

Now Primary 2 are...small. ...they move a lot...they ask questions...they are persistent...they follow you....they get under your feet...they talk a lot...such little children...so many words....

And words flowed from my mouth too....

"Don't do that....."....."NO! you can't!"...."Where did you get that?"

"Is it really yours or does it belong to Johnny ?".....Thankyou for the lovely dead leaf you found in the grass...." No I don't want to see the insects you collected at lunchtime in your water bottle...." Don't touch the teacher......" "I asked you already not tothat....."....".Leave that alone!!!"....."No....we can't...there isn't time...." He's locked in the what????"..."Please come out from under there......"

I came home exhausted. But I learned and they learned too. They are actually a really nice class of children. But I have always thought that teaching at Early stages is undervalued. But it is where the building block are laid for the future years. I have great admiration for Early Years Teachers. I don't think I could teach at that stage permanently. It's fine for this week or two. I don't want to shortchange the children, but I lack the training in Phonics and and structured play....or whatever they call it these days.

I am well prepared with task sheets. I have tried best as I can to decode the forward plan and prepare accordingly. Not easy. Tomorrow there is an Environmental period. In the weekly plan it says...."Rotation." Aye....right. Reminds me of the Roman Technology box we had in school.Large plastic box. Contents...1 tin of olives....some strips of balsa wood.

Sugestions please on $50 bills to me.

The photos were taken in Worcester. The red post box dates from the time of Queen Victoria. Elgar is one of my favourite composers.