Miss Hayes and her Grade 2's

Why God made moms

Jenna — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:59:00 GMT

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Since it's Mothers Day on Sunday, I found and old email about what grade 2's think of their moms. I decided to give it to my class and this is what they came up with...

Why did God make mothers?

To have babies to grow up like Him – Warren

Because every baby needs a mom – Melusi

For birth – Kevin

How did God make mothers?

God is magic, he can make anything – Melusi

What ingredients are mothers made of ?

She is made of juice – Neve

First she is made of bones, then meat, then skin – Mila

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

Because another mom will be your step mom and other moms will yell all the time – Vanessa

Because my mom is the best mom – Neve

What kind of little girl was your mom?

I don’t know, I wasn’t alive – Kyle

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

Name, age, home, surname and birthday – Mncedisi

His secrets – Mikayla

If he doesn’t have a girlfriend and if he doesn’t swear – Danielle

She wanted to know if daddy was a good boy – Pulana

My mom needed to know if he went to church – Micaela

Why did your mom marry your dad?

Because they were engaged – Bongi

Because my dad’s sister told my mom that he was a nice guy – Saudique

Because she was proud of him – Pulana

Because he was handsome – Micaela

What's the difference between moms & dads?

Mom’s have hair and dad’s don’t – Mncedisi

The mom is not a dad and the dad is not a mom – Aneeqah

Mom’s are cute, dad’s are strong – Mumbi

Since it's mothers day on Sunday, I found an old email about what grade 2's think of their moms and decided to ask my class the same questions. This is what they came up with..

What does your mom do in her spare time?

Sleep – Mumbi

Nothing but cook – Saudique

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

Make-up, a nice dress, heels and earrings – Mncedisi

A long time – Neve

About ten hours – Mila

Nothing, she is already perfect – Micaela

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

I’d put make-up on her – Mncedisi

I would like to change her hair – Pulana

To never be angry at me – Micaela

To ask or not to ask...

Jenna — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:41:00 GMT

After school today we had a presentation by an educational company of educational books. The representative informed us that when teaching a new concept, we should never ask the children if they know anything about the topic before we have taught it. She explained that this creates the children's thinking that their teachers don't really know what is going on and are asking the kids to inform the teachers.

BUT...

When I was studying, our lecturers always told us that even when it is a new concept or whenever, whatever, however we should always ask the children if they know anything about the topic, what they know about the topic etc. so as to find out where their level is and to create interest in the topic to be thought.

WHICH ONE IS CORRECT?

I am of the opinion that to ask questions constantly arouses creative thinking and generates interest, but now I'm not sure because of this opposing thought that the kids may think I know nothing and that is why I am asking them.

???

My School

Jenna — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:11:00 GMT

Hi all,

If you are interested at all in looking at what a typical suburbian, former Model C school (school's for whites during apartheid) please look at my school :-). I'd like to know what you think of it. My school was formerly for white children only, but is now majority black children. Because of our location to a military base, most of the children who attend our school have parents who work in the military. Many former Model C schools still have a lot of white children or half black and half white children. This is because the location of many former Model C schools are in the former white suburbs where many white people still live. The inner cities are majority black children. Many black famalies live in inner cities. My school is in a typical middle-class suburb where there are many black and white families living.

Please have a look.

www.lytteltonp.gp.school.za

Childish behaviour?

Jenna — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:19:00 GMT

I'm having an awful lot of problems with teacher politics at the moment. They seem to fight more than the children. This one is not happy with that and "don't tell her I said that"....please man. I seem to be stuck in the middle. I like to be the type of person who doesn't pick sides and is friendly with everyone. This seems to be detrimental to poor me. There are two groups at our school, within the Foundation Phase (Gr 1 - 3), who do not get along with each other. I get on well with both groups and I cannot stand the constant bickering and skinnering (South African slang for gossiping...hehe) about each other. The bad thing is, is that they skinner to me about each other and I like them all....WHAT MUST I SAY AND DO??

Recently, I went out for supper with our previous Principal and the one group. I was told not to tell anyone else because Mrs. B only wants certain teachers there. A couple days later, I went out for pancakes with the other group of teachers and was again told not to tell anyone else about it. It came out that there was a dinner with the previous principal and I was asked why I was invited and not them. How on earth do I answer that??? Heck, I don't know. I can't help I'm so well liked...haha.

Pancake group is now organising a weekend away for just 4 of us, but no-one else is allowed to know incase of jealousy. I have the perfect place to go at a relative's game farm. My boyfriend told me that if I offer that place, I will be part the of the "secret" group and will be seen as the prime instigator for offering the place and not inviting certain people. I don't know how to play this because they are really keen to go and I'm keen aswell, but of course, they don't want certain people to go and I can't invite everyone because of space. I also really don't want to feel I need to hide anything from anyone.

Then I sit back and wonder, do we ever outgrow this behaviour?

More of Kids can be cute...

Jenna — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:02:00 GMT

I forgot to add another cute thing that happened today...

We are currently learning about 3D shapes in Grade Two. I drew a triangular prism on the board and asked the children if they knew what that shape is called. One of the answers that was returned was, "It's called a Toblerone." The discussion was then suddenly diverted to chocolate shapes.

Kids can be so cute!

Jenna — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:49:00 GMT

Just a quick little cutie that happened today...

Because I come from South Africa, obviously we have many black children in our class. Some of the names can be very hard to pronounce for white people.

I have a little black girl in my class named Qaqamba (pronounced - Kwakwamba). She was disturbing a little white boy named Kevin with her humming. Kevin came to complain. "Ma'am, please can you tell c...cwa...um...how do you say it...uh...cu...ca please can you tell Cucumber to stop humming." It was hard to keep a straight face, but it was so darn cute.

Sad News from our school in South Africa

Jenna — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 07:42:00 GMT

Our first week back at school was brought with some sad news. A favourite teacher of mine and all the children in the Foundation Phase at our school, the music teacher, has *** cancer. It hit the teachers quite hard and the children especially. They don't understand it and are always asking questions about Mrs. D.

She went into hospital on Thursday for a masectomy and we then discovered that it has spread to her glands. It is terrible news. I sent her an sms on behalf of myself and the children and am going to visit her in the week with a colleague.

The children absolutely love her. She is excellent with children and with us teachers as well. I cannot wait for Wednesdays and Thursdays when she is at my school to chat to her and the children love her music lessons. She has now been booked off for a month and we are in the very reluctant position of trying to find a music teacher as good as her.

I just want to ask all Teacherlingo teachers out there to think and pray for Mrs. D. We all love her very much and can't wait for her to return to our school.

The In's and Out's of Letterland if you please...

Jenna — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:15:00 GMT

After school today, the foundation teachers had a workshop presented by Letterland. It seems all very wonderful to work with. In fact, I remember being taught with Letterland in Grade 1 and 2 and I will never forget Clever Cat and all his friends. What I'd like to know is, do many schools out there work with Letterland as a way of teaching phonics? I'm not sure whether it originates from America or the U.K. What do you think of the programme and are there any negative opinons about the programme? I have only heard positive things about them. Our school is looking at introducing it from next year. At the moment, we aren't following a particular programme which is rather quite sad, so I'll be happy to adopt that. We have also looked at Jolly Phonics.

Yay, back at school is great!

Jenna — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:26:00 GMT

It was my first day back of the new term and what an excellent day it was. It was so nice to see my class again and the day was an endless day of excitement and chatter about the holidays. Going to the sea, jumping in the waves, being chased by a shark??? Okay, I'm glad I wasn't there...hehe, visiting granny and grandpa, seeing cousins, playing at friends, playstation was a highlight although all who played quickly informed me that they not only did this. My class knows, that when weekend and holiday time comes, Miss Hayes always reminds them that it is far better to play outside than with playstation, xbox and computer games. All in all most had a good holiday and enjoyed sharing their news with me. Although, some of the poorer children felt almost ashamed to tell me they stayed home all holiday while mom and dad worked and bigger brother or sister looked after them. When asked what did you do at home for the holiday, one little boy told me he drew pictures and pretended he was watching TV because he doesn't have one. I informed him that to have such a creative imagination is better than any TV show. He smiled at me, satisfied.

The morning started with our school assembly which happens every Monday. We then went back to class and spoke about our holidays and then wrote what we did in the holidays. The chlidren then went to computers which they enjoy so much. They came back and continued with their news stories. After break time, the children learnt their new spelling words and put them into sentences. We are doing "ch" words this week. After this they practised their bonds of 15 and played games on the mat once they were finished with all their work. During this time I listened to their reading. At the end of the day we had story time. It's funny how much quicker the day goes now that I'm not on holiday anymore.

After I had finished my admin, I joined another teacher for a run on the field. Man oh man, the children thought it was hilarious to see teachers running. It was quite embarrassing and I'm not sure if my face was red from heat and exhaustion or from embarrassment. We even had some Grade 1's and 2's cheering for us each time we passed them with shouts like "You can do it Ma'm", "You look so cool running Ma'm"....hehe. It was rather cute.

Getting Ready for Term 2.

Jenna — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:54:00 GMT

I've got a few more days of holiday left and I'm savouring what I can of it. Although I'm quite excited to get back, the thought of waking up early again, especially going into winter now, is not so great. But, I guess we all have to do it.

I have started to prepare myself and have planned my term. I try to be organised so I know exactly what I'm doing each day of the whole term. It's going to be quite an exciting term. Our themes this term are Birds and Communication. The Children have to design their own birdfeeder as a project which is always a lot of fun. We then hang the feeders from the big oak tree outside my classroom and observe birds for a few weeks. I can't wait for that.

In Numeracy this term, the children are going to learn about 3D shapes and their characteristics, how to read time on a digital and analogue clock and addition & Subtraction in TU form. We will also be doing bonds from 15 to 20 and every day counting in 2's, 3's, 5's and 10's.

In Literacy, the children will learn about rhyming words and will write their own rhymes. We will also be looking at a number of poems. The children will also have to identify verbs and nouns in poems, act out poems etc. We will be discussing the simple punctuation marks (. , ! ?) and when to use them etc. They will be using these punctuation marks during comprehension tasks and creative tasks. We will be talking bout different emotions, writing in dialogue form and creative writing about birds. We will also introduce them to adjectives.

In Life Skills and Technology, we will be observing different birds, their feet, their beaks, their feathers, their food etc. The children will also learn about how adult birds care for their young and will observe birds in their gardens as well as at school. They then have to design their own birdfeeder. They need to discuss ways of making it durable, what material to use, design the birdfeeder on paper in class and make it at home with their parents assistance. In class, they will then explain how they made the birdfeeder, why it will work as a good feeder and what type of bird it is for (insect eater/fruit eater/seed eater). They then evaluate themselves and the class evaluates the birdfeeder using a simple rubric. The class then gets given a turn to ask questions. (This usually takes a few days to get through). It is amazing to see the creative thinking and analysing of the learners during question time. We should never underestimate the power of the mind of a child.

Speak to you soon in a couple of days when I'm back at school (14 April)

My first post.

Jenna — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:43:00 GMT

Hi all.

It is my first post on my blog. So I would just like to say hi to all who read my posts. I will provide interesting stories that happen at my school as well as any interesting ideas to teach in the junior grades. I hope you will enjoy reading my posts.

At the moment, South African public schools are on holiday for 3 weeks. It is our middle week off and go back on the 14th of April. So far, in my holidays, I have purchased a new mat for my classroom so I can't wait to start school again without the raggy old one. My kids are also going to be so excited. I have also bought a cute height chart to put on the door to introduce the critters to measurement.

I have 28 children in my class of mixed races. The majority are black. I have a few coloured children, 2 Indian, 1 Pakistany and 4 white children. Regardless of the wide range of cultures and races, I have a wonderful class. We all get on very well and I am so glad the personalities of the children are well matched with me. I am having a fantastic year with this class.

I will try to keep up to date with my posts and I hope I will receive comments from some of you.

Later All