After 3 weeks of lectures about how to teach, we (PGCE Geog at UoC 2008/9) finally got let loose in schools – yahoo! I feel on the receiving and of a lot of jealousy as my placement is a 5 minute walk away and I don’teugh. I’m sooo getting somewhere miles away for my next placement :-S. have to leave the house until 8:30am. My housemate has to leave at 6am (as do many others) to get to her placement -
There at 6 of us at my school, and the school seems great – very well organised and a good mix of kids. Today I watched 2 lessons and had 2 meetings and had a free. Apparently this week will be just watching and getting a feel for things – but I already couldn’t hold back and was wondering around the room helping. The head of geog seems really cool – she has very pierced ears with bars and things, and generally has an air of awesomeness. She’s also admittedly anal about her coloured pencils getting mixed up – glad I’m not the only one with OCD!
Behaviour management tip of the day:
Situation: Child A purposefully moves a pink pencil into the yellow pencils, doesn’t put it back when asked, and then gets his yoghurt out ready for break.
Response: Ask if you can have a look at his interesting looking yoghurt and pick it up (once he’s agreed). When child A asks for it back, tell him ‘Of course… when you’ve put the pencils back 
‘. Then praise him and return the yoghurt, and feel proud that you got one over on him and he knew it 
This develops mutual respect using teenage boy language.
Things I learned today… erm… that I don’t have to be in for 8:00ish… just 8:40ish, well not even that at the mo – apparently 8:50 would do. I’m going to be with an art teachers form, which I’ll meet tomorrow. OOh, and very exciting – I have a desk!! Such gifts were not granted at kings for staff, never mind PGCE students. W00T! And I have keys for the rooms and office 
I feel special.
Bon nuit mon amis
xxx
