Well, I'm back at uni this year. While working 6 1/2 hours a day. And teaching kids church. And going to normal church. And trying to write 3 books. And read 186 books this year. And memorise more psalms. And go to Uganda (definitely in June, and hopefully again later).
So, yeah, I'm mad. What'd you expect? The blog is called Sam-Is-Mad, after all.
Anyway, I'm doing the version of my course for primary school teachers - which means less contact hours, which then means more time for work. Being the bright spark I am, I can get away with less than the average work. Which is good, because have you seen my to-do lists? My list for today had 27 items on it! 27! (This is written 1 week before posting. I love scheduling posts!)
Anyways, I was comparing the work that we have to do to what the other grad dips are doing. We have to log on every week and contribute to a blog discussion, with a 100 word post about the readings for the week. Every week. So over 1000 words.
The other grad dips get to make a poster.
Now, when I was in uni first time round, I HATED posters. In fact, when I initially saw the poster project and thought it was for us, I nearly cried. What a waste of time, energy and learning opportunity. Seriously, we're in uni. We shouldn't be making posters.
That said, I'm going to have to write every week! I'm going to have to do more work than the others!
At least I'll actually learn something.
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Education. Show all posts
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Monday, 28 September 2009
Work Update
So, there's been a change in my work situation.
They had me back in full time. I was not happy, and more to the point I was not coping. I not only was extremely exhausted (getting, 4, 5, and 5 hours of sleep for the nights previous to each day of work) but I felt really bad. I felt like I had a kid sitting on my chest all day (how they managed to do that while I was up and walking around), like I had weights in my shoes, and I had dizzy spells every hour or so.
Odele asked me how I felt. I told her I felt like I wanted to die. There were no awake kids in the room, otherwise I wouldn't have said it. Odele was horrified.
I am now working part time (9:30-4) in the babies room, same rate per hour, and even though I work for 2 1/2 hours less, I only get paid 1 1/2 hours less per day because before I had an unpaid lunch of 1 hour, and now I have a paid lunch of half an hour.
I have a job I may be applying for for next year, but I'm seeing how I like the babies room first.
They had me back in full time. I was not happy, and more to the point I was not coping. I not only was extremely exhausted (getting, 4, 5, and 5 hours of sleep for the nights previous to each day of work) but I felt really bad. I felt like I had a kid sitting on my chest all day (how they managed to do that while I was up and walking around), like I had weights in my shoes, and I had dizzy spells every hour or so.
Odele asked me how I felt. I told her I felt like I wanted to die. There were no awake kids in the room, otherwise I wouldn't have said it. Odele was horrified.
I am now working part time (9:30-4) in the babies room, same rate per hour, and even though I work for 2 1/2 hours less, I only get paid 1 1/2 hours less per day because before I had an unpaid lunch of 1 hour, and now I have a paid lunch of half an hour.
I have a job I may be applying for for next year, but I'm seeing how I like the babies room first.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
More On Work
My last day of part time work is today. They asked me to work full days Wed, Thurs and Fri of this week. Me, being a sucker, said yes.
Then, when I talked to management about officially switching to part time, they said that that would be fine, as long as I took a pay cut. Along with the fact that I would be working less hours. The end result is I would be earning half what I currently do working full time. For obvious reasons I can't do that.
So I'm back to full time work.
And I'm already looking for a new job.
Then, when I talked to management about officially switching to part time, they said that that would be fine, as long as I took a pay cut. Along with the fact that I would be working less hours. The end result is I would be earning half what I currently do working full time. For obvious reasons I can't do that.
So I'm back to full time work.
And I'm already looking for a new job.
Monday, 3 August 2009
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Not only are my children going to be austic, but they'e also going to be unco
My standard comment about all the lovely autistic kids I've worked with is that I'm clearly going to have one. Why else would I have taught so many of them? So far I'm u to 2 regulars (in just over a year of regular teaching), an austic kid in nearly every class I taught when I was doing relief teaching, and a sibling of two of my favourite kids is also autistic. That is way WAY more than normal.
But back to my kids. And the fact that they are going to be in and out of hospital with injuries.
Remember Tia?
Well, yesterday, I got to use my first aid skills again. Yay!
Alex (not Alec, Alex) tripped on his own feet, and hit his head on the shelf. No signs of damage, so I gave him a hug. The phone rang, so I picked him up, stuck him on my hip, and went over to answer the phone. It was Lucy, wanting to talk about Maggie's baby's crackers. I turned and looked at Alex, and there was BLOOD everywhere. I then realise that I'm not sweaty from failed air-con above the phone. No, I'm covered with blood.
Alex looks at me and says, "I'm bleeding!" I took the kid off my hip, sat him down, and pressed a paper towl to his head. The other Sam walked into our room, and went to get Rochelle. The reliever is happily scrubbing cups in the bathroom, in full view of me and a child covered with blood, and a bunch of other kids trying to find out what's happening. Eventually Maggie comes downstairs, and I tell her about Felicity's crackers.
Lucy then walks in, and says, "You have blood in your hair too."
Erin then comes off of her break, realises that the cups are probably not the priority at the moment, and takes the other kids outside. Rochelle comes in to tell me that Alex's mum is on her way.
I keep Alex calm, clean him up a little once the blood has stopped, so that his mum isn't totally freaked out.
Maggie wants me to be the first aid officer now rather than Erin. I seem to be the only one using my first aid skills. I said no. First aid officer needs to make sure that we have plenty of bandaids in the first aid box. As if I'd remember that!
Clearly my children are going to be unco and bleed everywhere and choke on things all the time. As long as it isn't the autistic children bleeding everywhere. That could be interesting. Imagine trying to calm down a bleeding autistic kid.
But back to my kids. And the fact that they are going to be in and out of hospital with injuries.
Remember Tia?
Well, yesterday, I got to use my first aid skills again. Yay!
Alex (not Alec, Alex) tripped on his own feet, and hit his head on the shelf. No signs of damage, so I gave him a hug. The phone rang, so I picked him up, stuck him on my hip, and went over to answer the phone. It was Lucy, wanting to talk about Maggie's baby's crackers. I turned and looked at Alex, and there was BLOOD everywhere. I then realise that I'm not sweaty from failed air-con above the phone. No, I'm covered with blood.
Alex looks at me and says, "I'm bleeding!" I took the kid off my hip, sat him down, and pressed a paper towl to his head. The other Sam walked into our room, and went to get Rochelle. The reliever is happily scrubbing cups in the bathroom, in full view of me and a child covered with blood, and a bunch of other kids trying to find out what's happening. Eventually Maggie comes downstairs, and I tell her about Felicity's crackers.
Lucy then walks in, and says, "You have blood in your hair too."
Erin then comes off of her break, realises that the cups are probably not the priority at the moment, and takes the other kids outside. Rochelle comes in to tell me that Alex's mum is on her way.
I keep Alex calm, clean him up a little once the blood has stopped, so that his mum isn't totally freaked out.
Maggie wants me to be the first aid officer now rather than Erin. I seem to be the only one using my first aid skills. I said no. First aid officer needs to make sure that we have plenty of bandaids in the first aid box. As if I'd remember that!
Clearly my children are going to be unco and bleed everywhere and choke on things all the time. As long as it isn't the autistic children bleeding everywhere. That could be interesting. Imagine trying to calm down a bleeding autistic kid.
Friday, 19 December 2008
My Kids Kick Reb's Kids' Butts
Well, they do!
It is the end of the year, and at this time, all good children (and their parents) give their teachers presents.
Reb got chocolate, lollies, mugs, a calender, and a few other nic-nacs.
My kids gave me: more chocolate (and the year isn't over) about the same amount of lollies, three gift hampers, a mug, tea, home-made brownies, Christmas ornaments, AND a hundred dollars.
That's right. One of my kids gave me cash. And gave Helen cash.
My kids so win.
It is the end of the year, and at this time, all good children (and their parents) give their teachers presents.
Reb got chocolate, lollies, mugs, a calender, and a few other nic-nacs.
My kids gave me: more chocolate (and the year isn't over) about the same amount of lollies, three gift hampers, a mug, tea, home-made brownies, Christmas ornaments, AND a hundred dollars.
That's right. One of my kids gave me cash. And gave Helen cash.
My kids so win.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
My Seminar
So, as I mentioned, I went to a seminar. I went to the Understanding Music Seminar. I missed out on a lot to go to this seminar. I missed out on the Bible Conference, and missed David and Kaye's wedding ceremony, and even got to the reception over an hour late. And it cost $750, and the sequel which I am doing next week, also costs $750.
It was SO worth it.
Go on, click on over, and see all of the claims it makes. It actually meets the claims. It is AWESOME!
It was SO worth it.
Go on, click on over, and see all of the claims it makes. It actually meets the claims. It is AWESOME!
Sunday, 31 August 2008
I May Be Fat, But the Kids Love Me
I got this card last weekend. I taught Daniella in my internship year - 2006.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Speaking of Work...
On Monday, i.e. my first day back at work, I cut up a dead fish.
The fish is indeed dead
I let the kids touch a fish that dies of unknown causes.
The fish is dead. Pointing to it makes this certain.
The knife goes in...
And slides down the middle...
Off with his head!
Inside.
And then we held a funeral.
I am NOT weird.
The kids think I am the coolest.
The staff in the other rooms have a slightly different opinion.
The fish is indeed dead
I let the kids touch a fish that dies of unknown causes.
The fish is dead. Pointing to it makes this certain.
The knife goes in...
And slides down the middle...
Off with his head!
Inside.
And then we held a funeral.
I am NOT weird.
The kids think I am the coolest.
The staff in the other rooms have a slightly different opinion.
Monday, 18 August 2008
What'd I Tell You Kal?
On Wed, not last week but the week before, I came home and ate a block of chocolate. In less than five minutes. The day was that bad. And I said to Kal that I wouldn't be surprised if someone quit next Wed, as the worst kid of the bunch was sick. (Arnold bites. He mostly bites kids who deserve it, but apparently we're supposed to stop such things.)
So, how did they find last Wed?
Libby told them if they didn't give us another staff member she was going to quit. And as she's new, she only has to give them 24 hours notice. And she can take that 24 hours as a sick day.
We now have someone covering our breaks.
So, how did they find last Wed?
Libby told them if they didn't give us another staff member she was going to quit. And as she's new, she only has to give them 24 hours notice. And she can take that 24 hours as a sick day.
We now have someone covering our breaks.
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Review
I read Kelly's e-book "Relaxed Homeschooling". I'm a future homeschooling mother. Future mother too. Future wife before that. But I've been planning to homeschool since I was 10 (for my reasons see here) So I've been preparing for quite a while.
Overall, I liked the book. It was a good synopsis of the reasons for homeschooling, and what is important about homeschooling. So it was good.
Bits I loved:
"Our culture is a noisy one where we feel the need to be constantly entertained, busy or occupied. This same “busy mode” can rob our children of an important part of education. A child's soul cannot grow without some silence and solitude."
"A lifestyle of learning is mostly a matter of paying attention to opportunities. What questions are they asking? What questions can you ask them? Many times my children will ask a question that I don't know the answer to. It can be tempting (and sometimes is necessary) to put them off with an “I don't know”. But it's much better to say, “I don't know...but come with me and we'll find the answer!”
Between books that we continually collect, the library, the dictionary and the Internet, we can usually find the answer we're looking for! Get into the habit of asking questions and finding answers. This is really the foundation for all learning!"
"We make a tragic mistake assuming that the Bible is too hard for our little ones to understand, and thus postpone the daily reading of it to them. It's fine to read the children's version of Jonah and the Whale, but be sure to read the original story from the Bible too."
Here was the few things I didn't like about it:
- She quotes Thomas H. Huxley. The quote was good, but he's hadly a person a Christian writer should be quoting.
- Facts are vital pegs on which to hang other information. Yes, people get over the top about it, but we need to not go the other way and discount them. I don't think that was Kelly's intention, but it could be read that way.
Mostly, I really enjoyed it. Stop by at Generation Cedar and buy the e-book.
Overall, I liked the book. It was a good synopsis of the reasons for homeschooling, and what is important about homeschooling. So it was good.
Bits I loved:
"Our culture is a noisy one where we feel the need to be constantly entertained, busy or occupied. This same “busy mode” can rob our children of an important part of education. A child's soul cannot grow without some silence and solitude."
"A lifestyle of learning is mostly a matter of paying attention to opportunities. What questions are they asking? What questions can you ask them? Many times my children will ask a question that I don't know the answer to. It can be tempting (and sometimes is necessary) to put them off with an “I don't know”. But it's much better to say, “I don't know...but come with me and we'll find the answer!”
Between books that we continually collect, the library, the dictionary and the Internet, we can usually find the answer we're looking for! Get into the habit of asking questions and finding answers. This is really the foundation for all learning!"
"We make a tragic mistake assuming that the Bible is too hard for our little ones to understand, and thus postpone the daily reading of it to them. It's fine to read the children's version of Jonah and the Whale, but be sure to read the original story from the Bible too."
Here was the few things I didn't like about it:
- She quotes Thomas H. Huxley. The quote was good, but he's hadly a person a Christian writer should be quoting.
- Facts are vital pegs on which to hang other information. Yes, people get over the top about it, but we need to not go the other way and discount them. I don't think that was Kelly's intention, but it could be read that way.
Mostly, I really enjoyed it. Stop by at Generation Cedar and buy the e-book.
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Be warned, I am serious here...
So, Kal and I and a few others have been talking a lot. More or less what we normally do. In our discussions it has been mentioned by a few people (Kal, Joc, Jonathan, and I think one other person) that I am putting all my ideas of happiness into me being a wife and mother.
In some senses they have a point. But here's me trying to explain my point.
I don't actually expect to be HAPPY as a wife or mother. I'm not expecting to be miserable, but I don't want to be a wife/mum in order to be happy. Happiness is not the point. I am expecting that by and large I will be happier (I am one of those females who really is far happier with a guy and around children) but that isn't the POINT.
The point is meaning.
Being a wife and mother is for me the most MEANINGFUL thing I can do. There is nothing more significant than making someone you love smile. Than making a favourite dinner for no other reason than that you love them. Than reading the same awful story to your kid five times - a night. (I did that for over a year with my youngest brother.) There is nothing more fun than watching a little child grow, and the closer you are to that kid the more precious it is. There's nothing funnier than watching them make faces at each other when they are cross with each other, when you know that they are going to be best buddies in two minutes.
My job now, and all other jobs I've had, just don't have that level of meaning. And I love my job. If I was a career woman, I'd want to do my job forever. But I put in to 'my' kids, only to have them go home and have some of their parents undo all my work. When it comes to those whose parents actually support things like the kids being obedient, that usually gets undone within their first few years at school. People think that by putting into LOTS of children I'm compounding my influence. But I'm not, I'm spreading it around, I'm diluting it. And I'm building up relationships with people (mainly kids) who will disappear rather abruptly, with nothing to show for it. And then there are the regulations - not only no smacking, we even have no time-outs. (I still do them, I just call them calm down times - Mwa ha ha).
With my kids, whether I have my hoped for 20+ or merely 1 or 2, my influence, and that of my husband, will be real. What we put in will actually show fruit.
And THAT'S why I want more than anything to be a stay-at-home-wife and homeschooling-mother
In some senses they have a point. But here's me trying to explain my point.
I don't actually expect to be HAPPY as a wife or mother. I'm not expecting to be miserable, but I don't want to be a wife/mum in order to be happy. Happiness is not the point. I am expecting that by and large I will be happier (I am one of those females who really is far happier with a guy and around children) but that isn't the POINT.
The point is meaning.
Being a wife and mother is for me the most MEANINGFUL thing I can do. There is nothing more significant than making someone you love smile. Than making a favourite dinner for no other reason than that you love them. Than reading the same awful story to your kid five times - a night. (I did that for over a year with my youngest brother.) There is nothing more fun than watching a little child grow, and the closer you are to that kid the more precious it is. There's nothing funnier than watching them make faces at each other when they are cross with each other, when you know that they are going to be best buddies in two minutes.
My job now, and all other jobs I've had, just don't have that level of meaning. And I love my job. If I was a career woman, I'd want to do my job forever. But I put in to 'my' kids, only to have them go home and have some of their parents undo all my work. When it comes to those whose parents actually support things like the kids being obedient, that usually gets undone within their first few years at school. People think that by putting into LOTS of children I'm compounding my influence. But I'm not, I'm spreading it around, I'm diluting it. And I'm building up relationships with people (mainly kids) who will disappear rather abruptly, with nothing to show for it. And then there are the regulations - not only no smacking, we even have no time-outs. (I still do them, I just call them calm down times - Mwa ha ha).
With my kids, whether I have my hoped for 20+ or merely 1 or 2, my influence, and that of my husband, will be real. What we put in will actually show fruit.
And THAT'S why I want more than anything to be a stay-at-home-wife and homeschooling-mother
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
WFMW - Crocodile Grip
So, I know that my regular readers are all like, "How do I get my children to write and draw beautifully with the proper pencil grip?"
Okay, not a single one of you has ever thought that. Except maybe Rebecca, and only because she teaches. But one day you will have children (if only because I will nag you all until you do) and when that day comes, you will be so eager to see them write with a beautiful pencil grip.
So, how do you achieve this elusive thing of beauty?
Crocodile grip!
One of my mums taught me this. Her kid is autistic, and they use it at his school. You make your hand into a crocodile. Snap snap snap! Kids love this. Let the crocodile 'eat' the pencil. Help them wrap their fourth and pinky fingers to the side, so that the 'crocodile' is just the first two fingers and the thumb. Then let them write.
Whenever they forget (because they will) just remind them to use teh crocodile grip. And they will.
I even used it on Samuel. And for those of you who don't know Samuel, he's 2. And he can do it. He doesn't do it unless he's reminded, but as soon as he is, he does it. It works wonderfully for all my kinder darlings as well.
The crocodile grip. It Works For Me.
Okay, not a single one of you has ever thought that. Except maybe Rebecca, and only because she teaches. But one day you will have children (if only because I will nag you all until you do) and when that day comes, you will be so eager to see them write with a beautiful pencil grip.
So, how do you achieve this elusive thing of beauty?
Crocodile grip!
One of my mums taught me this. Her kid is autistic, and they use it at his school. You make your hand into a crocodile. Snap snap snap! Kids love this. Let the crocodile 'eat' the pencil. Help them wrap their fourth and pinky fingers to the side, so that the 'crocodile' is just the first two fingers and the thumb. Then let them write.
Whenever they forget (because they will) just remind them to use teh crocodile grip. And they will.
I even used it on Samuel. And for those of you who don't know Samuel, he's 2. And he can do it. He doesn't do it unless he's reminded, but as soon as he is, he does it. It works wonderfully for all my kinder darlings as well.
The crocodile grip. It Works For Me.
Friday, 25 April 2008
I Need A Life
Does anyone find it slightly sad that I spent 8 hours preparing for a lesson tomorrow. A lesson that will take under an hour to teach.
On the bright side, I made panpipes. As if that aint cool.
On the bright side, I made panpipes. As if that aint cool.
Friday, 1 February 2008
Can I Borrow?
Does anyone have a copy of Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery. It's a Classical Kids CD. It'd be very useful for music.
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
Do I Look Jewish To You?
On Friday I was at a school. I was running late for Yard Duty, and I didn't have enough time to return my Bible to my classroom before yard duty (I had taken it into the staffroom to read it... well, duh).
So I'm walking about the near empty area I've been assigned, and one of the kids sees it and asks me, "Are you Christian?"
"Yes," I answer.
"So'm I," he says.
Five minutes later, he comes up to me and asks," Are you sure you're Christian?"
"I'm sure," I say.
Monday, and I was in the same school and same class. So the boy asks me, "Are you SURE you're Christian?"
"I'm SURE." I say. "Why do you keep asking?"
"You don't LOOK Christian."
"What does a Christian looks like?"
"Not like you."
"All right, what do I look like?"
He thinks for a while, "You look Jewish."
Huh? I do not look Jewish. (Incidentally, my biological great-grandfather was Jewish.) "I do not look Jewish."
"Yes, you do."
"Well, I'm English. And I'm Christian."
A nearby girl says, "I thought you were an Islander."
I would just like to point out, that I look more Jewish than Islander. And I don't look Jewish.
So I'm walking about the near empty area I've been assigned, and one of the kids sees it and asks me, "Are you Christian?"
"Yes," I answer.
"So'm I," he says.
Five minutes later, he comes up to me and asks," Are you sure you're Christian?"
"I'm sure," I say.
Monday, and I was in the same school and same class. So the boy asks me, "Are you SURE you're Christian?"
"I'm SURE." I say. "Why do you keep asking?"
"You don't LOOK Christian."
"What does a Christian looks like?"
"Not like you."
"All right, what do I look like?"
He thinks for a while, "You look Jewish."
Huh? I do not look Jewish. (Incidentally, my biological great-grandfather was Jewish.) "I do not look Jewish."
"Yes, you do."
"Well, I'm English. And I'm Christian."
A nearby girl says, "I thought you were an Islander."
I would just like to point out, that I look more Jewish than Islander. And I don't look Jewish.
Tuesday, 28 August 2007
Teaching Moments
Sorry it's been so long since I last posted. I've started subsitute teaching 3 days a week, and I teach music every Saturday too. Which means that along with cleaning I don't have any time 'off'.
But here are some of the things I have learnt from my short time at teaching.
- Catholic schools have better behaved kids (I haven't taught a a Protestant school yet)
- Unless they go to a Catholic school, I do not like grade 5s or 6s.
- I suck at maintaining order
- Kids love maths games
- I apparently look like Stevie from the Saddle Club. I've been told that now at 2 different schools
- Miss R stands for Really nice. And also Wabbit. And also Rawson.
But here are some of the things I have learnt from my short time at teaching.
- Catholic schools have better behaved kids (I haven't taught a a Protestant school yet)
- Unless they go to a Catholic school, I do not like grade 5s or 6s.
- I suck at maintaining order
- Kids love maths games
- I apparently look like Stevie from the Saddle Club. I've been told that now at 2 different schools
- Miss R stands for Really nice. And also Wabbit. And also Rawson.
Monday, 14 May 2007
Teaching and Other Stuff
I'm beginning to get a bit of teaching work, which is great. I also need to start paying more money for my homeloan, which is less great - it's going to eat up a large chunk of what I earn for the next 6 months. Which means I have to further put off buying a few things I would particularly find useful (teaching books, etc).
It also means I will have less spare time. Which as I never seem to have any spare time as it is, might prove to be a bit of a problem. (Everyone says how much less time you have once you have kids. So I'm putting on all the pressure to have about a million books read and to have done everything else ASAP so that I won't need to spend that time later. I know, I'm a bit weird).
I have more photos from our Mother's Day Dinner at the Frankston centre. I'll tell you all more about what happened once I put them all up. I also have lots of photos for the Mother's Day Service at the Waverley centre.
That's it for now - I've got to leave in 15 minutes!
It also means I will have less spare time. Which as I never seem to have any spare time as it is, might prove to be a bit of a problem. (Everyone says how much less time you have once you have kids. So I'm putting on all the pressure to have about a million books read and to have done everything else ASAP so that I won't need to spend that time later. I know, I'm a bit weird).
I have more photos from our Mother's Day Dinner at the Frankston centre. I'll tell you all more about what happened once I put them all up. I also have lots of photos for the Mother's Day Service at the Waverley centre.
That's it for now - I've got to leave in 15 minutes!
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Yay!
Am teaching today. For the first time this year. Preppies. Sam love preppies (Sam thinks).
Sam must stop talking about herself in the third person (Crazy Sam!).
Sam must stop talking about herself in the third person (Crazy Sam!).
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