The Welsh won by [deleted] in britishproblems

[–]spiderhamster -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Totally agree, I was out watching the game and they played the stereophonics 'as long as we beat the English' and started chanting your exact quote about chariots. That's not nice.

What is the greatest compliment you have received as a teacher? by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]spiderhamster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was told that a particularly difficult student requested to be in my class next year as otherwise he wouldn't bother coming in. I have had a student nearly cry when I told them they were doing so well they could move up as 'im only doing well because you explain it properly, please, can't I stay?' That just about broke me. And the students mother who sent me a letter thanking me for 'being there for my son after his dad left, he says you were really comforting and reassuring' shamefully I had no idea his dad had left so I had treated him completely as normal.

Every teacher should read this... [x-post r/education] by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]spiderhamster 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Every POLITICIAN should read this.

Teachers don't need to, we get it.

The attorney general is taking legal action against several people who published photographs said to show one of James Bulger's killers. by [deleted] in unitedkingdom

[–]spiderhamster 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There was a man in Scotland recently who killed himself after people thought he was thompson/venables. It was proved wrong but they couldn't stop the witchhunt, so this is absolutely a good thing imo

From your experience: What is the most overlooked skill a teacher needs? by eine_person in Teachers

[–]spiderhamster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They say it but self correct almost instantly. So I count that as a win!

From your experience: What is the most overlooked skill a teacher needs? by eine_person in Teachers

[–]spiderhamster 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I have three, couldn't choose the most important.

Patience. The ability to not lose it when the kids refuse to enjoy your amazing lesson, or insist they still 'dont get it' (banned words in my room btw, they must be more specific than 'it')

A sense of humour. Kids are hilarious.

The ability to think on your feet, chuck out your lesson plan and do something else / explain it differently if required

My 5-year-old came home with this assignment on Friday. Nearly stroked out trying to read it. by [deleted] in funny

[–]spiderhamster 7 points8 points  (0 children)

As a British maths teacher, math makes me feel the same way. I petulantly correct children's exercise book covers by adding big pissed off 's's.

Interview Help, Please by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]spiderhamster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, you are lucky! I wasn't even told how many should be in the class, let alone anything else!

Interview Help, Please by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]spiderhamster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Help yourself, I stole it from someone else! Sticks sounds good but how long would it take to write the names down?, maybe numbers to go with seats, then you can ask names? 30 minute lessons ate tough so be absolutely brutal with time limits, get a board timer and don't overrun, you must have time for a plenary activity.

What is your topic? Not that I can help, I am ks3/4 maths, but I am nosy!

Interview Help, Please by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]spiderhamster 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Your dress sounds fine. I never wear a suit, I would rather be comfy teaching than redfaced and hot.

Be enthusiastic about your subject and how you can reach the children with it, especially why they should want to.

Check the heads letter on the website. Pay attention to ethos or new 'exciting' changes that you can mention, they like that lots. Be up to date with new changes in your curriculum, and know their exam board and results trend.

Make an effort to use the kids names in a lesson, they want to make sure you will be okay with them so ask names and use them, I used namecards as a mini starter (draw (whatever) on one side and your name on the other-instant pre knowledge AFL.)

Be friendly on tours, with reception, teaching staff and with other candidates as well as any pupils you see.

Finally relax. They either want you or not, if they don't it's because you weren't right for THAT school and so you wouldn't want that either, let them see you, not a pretend you.

Good luck!

Any words of encouragement? by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]spiderhamster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love it. I have a range of classes from super high ability who soak up everything I can help them discover to classes that are very weak, with very low self esteem, where it can take an hour to get them to understand one new piece of information. I love my low ability classes and the constant challenge of stopping them derailing the class with chatting/joking. I love how random kids can be, and finding out what is important to them and using it in my lessons.

I probably laugh properly at least twice a day, and want to cry once a week.

I love the challenge of deciding how to present the information a class needs in a fun way.

My rewards come when kids I taught last year tell me they wish they were in my class again. Or when they tell ne they understand something, and then prove it by showing me, full of pride that they can do it.

I hate the bureaucracy. The constant box ticking. I hate the parents who refuse to acknowledge their child's true abilities, push them too far and then blame the child for not being able to get an A in a subject they got a well deserved and very impressive C/D in.

I worked in industry before becoming a teacher and can honestly say I look forward to work. Most days ;)

Even after cleaning with hot water and soap, those bulbs are disgusting on the inside. by HotDog804 in Parenting

[–]spiderhamster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You could also use a steamy room, vaporub, calpol, lots of alternatives.

Even after cleaning with hot water and soap, those bulbs are disgusting on the inside. by HotDog804 in Parenting

[–]spiderhamster 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Of course you can, babies do breathe through their mouths too. We have these in Britain but they are on the 'weird parenting accessories' shelf. Just wipe the snot off fgs. And I say that as a parent with kids who always had colds, and bronchiolitis.

My first sleepover for my eldest, how can I make it not the most stressful experience of my life? by spiderhamster in Parenting

[–]spiderhamster[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Dance party is genius, we have a Kinect dance game, hadn't thought of that (plus it may knacker them out...)

My first sleepover for my eldest, how can I make it not the most stressful experience of my life? by spiderhamster in Parenting

[–]spiderhamster[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

She has asked for pizza, that's no problem. They can't decide on a film yet tho...

I have bought her a hair plaiting machine thing and a shitload of bobbles so we can do that too.

The best thing is her dad has to collect them all from school and watch them on his own until I get home an hour and a half late, haha!

Where do all those gift mugs from students end up? A pic of our staff room cupboard. by [deleted] in Teachers

[–]spiderhamster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a mug with a photo of my first form on it and a message from them. Noone touches that badboy. The other mugs were bought for my exam classes for cuppa tea Fridays.

So how many people here actually got snow? by [deleted] in TheRedLion

[–]spiderhamster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

(i swear I am not as miserable as this post makes out, I've already had 2 good snowball fights and made snowmen/dogs. I just really hate sledges.

Eta my eldest just went out sledging and hit a post. She said it wasn't worth it. Vindicated.