Day 331 - Flair

Saturday March 13th

Having negotiated my first week at More House, I was determined to add a little flair to my lessons next week. Not quite in the same league as flair bar tending but it still requires some effort to go beyond 'chalk and talk'. What makes it more difficult at More House is that my classroom does not have an Interactive Whiteboard or even a projector so I have to rely on other physical or visual props. I have a few things lined up for next week.

Took Ted to see Southampton v Leeds today on the bus. He is now a Junior Saint and, while this will never replace Liverpool for him, it means we can go and see a few games a season without costing a fortune. 1-0 victory in a great little stadium. Last time I saw Leeds was at Elland Road in about 95, playing Newcastle in the Premier League. How they have fallen.

Day 278 - Failed In Mainstream Schools

Tuesday January 19th

I was up very early today and on the train to visit my second placement school, More House. As previously blogged it is a specialist school for boys with learning difficulties or, as one of the boys actually there said, for thick kids. Need to work on the self-esteem there as well.

I really enjoyed it and it reminded me of my schooling - big old house with annexes, boys having breakfast in a cafeteria, boarding houses etc. Frances has own classroom so it will be great not to have to move around all the time. The class sizes were a real shock as well with 8-10 kids per class and with one of them , only 5! However, they fill the space available so it is a very daunting prospect to prepare for it. I won't have the same resources either, as they don't have IWB.

I learnt a little about the learning issues the boys have. The key fact is that they all have average ability but have failed in mainstream education, so it's this school's job to help them access the learning they are perfectly capable of. They often come with some behavioural issues, either as part of their condition or as a result of their experience in mainstream schools.

The journey on the train was a non-starter, about 3 hours travel so I will need to get a car or stay over in the school or B&B