he's got the whole world

My brain is still throbbing from yesterday's science lesson. We were learning about the Earth and beyond. Sure, we had perhaps too much fun pretending to be planets in orbit. But, wow. It's just...HUGE. Seriously, I can physically feel my brain struggling to try and grasp the vastness of the universe. Impossible. Gravity, motion, seasons, tides, years. It's mind-blowing.

But, for me, the most amazing thing is this: that all this occurs because God has made it so. I believe in a God who knows exactly how many grains of sand there are on this planet, and how many more stars there are in the whole universe, 'cuz he flung them there! And He knows how many hairs are on my head, and knows how I sat in my science lesson and smiled with awed amazement. I may not be allowed to 'teach' that in school, but when I do teach this aspect of science, it will be with care, excitement and wonder. Who knows, it might be contagious!

can i make the weather?

Now, why would they show us this in our first few weeks of teacher training?

I have come to a frightening conclusion.
I am the decisive element in the classroom.
It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make
a child’s life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or
an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations it is my response that decides
whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated,
and a child humanized or de-humanized.

— Dr. Haim G. Ginott

*gulp*

It's pretty scary. It's pretty inspiring. It's a challenge. I can work with that.
Lemme in that classroom! I don't want to be held responsible for any child who grows up hating school because they were bored, or bullied, or struggling, or distracted.

Long gone are my undergrad days when all the responsibility I had was to drink enough coffee to stay awake long enough for essay hand-in after pulling an all-nighter. As much as I might want to stay home, bake, watch movies, play music and generally English about, I can't. Sometimes it makes me huff and puff (it's very un-ladylike) but mostly I just want to get it right.

I can't wait to be a teacher.

Tomorrow's Game

Here's my *salute* to the written off England rugby team who have fought back and convinced us that they do stand a chance in the World Cup final tomorrow night. It's gunna be a nail-biter! And there might even be a little bit of history-making, too!

RugbyWorldCup.com

England Rugby

England's World Cup Victory 2003

Jonny Wilkinson's Rugby Column

Around the World in 13 Years

Yesterday, I was watching This Morning and came across the most awesome story. I can't believe I'd never heard of this until now!

Jason Lewis was interviewed on the show, just 24hours after arriving back in Greenwich from his 13-year adventure around the world. He and his good friend, Steve Smith, set off from Greenwich Meridian in July 1994, on a mission to circumnavigate the globe using human power alone. Yep, that means no motor-powered vehicles. No trains, no planes, no cars. Only walking, cycling, roller-blading, and pedalling in a specially designed boat. Steve and Jason parted company in Hawaii in 1998, and Jason carried on. He has overcome crocodile attack, a hit-and-run which left him with two broken legs, and being tormented by pirates, among other things. But he's made it!

The adventure was not solely a thrill-seeker's dream, but it was intended to educate children about geography, travel, and ecology. The guys involved have spoken in hundreds of schools and Steve Smith has written a book about the leg of the trip that he was involved in.

It's an amazing achievement! Read all about Expedition360 at the website, here.

Get interested in the world and how amazing it is!

Here a blog, there a blog...

Creating a blog presents you with one of those strange situations where you find yourself slightly torn. Let's be honest, we write blogs because we think there's something to say (there quite often isn't) but, when it comes to people reading it, that's a little awkward. It's quite personal, and for a brief moment you suddenly realise, 'People are going to be reading about my thoughts, experiences and ideas, and that's a bit creepy.' Yet, when you write and write and realise that, actually, no one is reading, that's very disheartening.

Anyway, there's no escaping it now. I have a newborn ICT blog - course requirement - and everyone can see my other blogs. I wonder what'll happen...

It has been quite a while since I last posted. My intro placement seems like a million years ago, now. They cram so much into this course that I feel like i've been here forever. It has been great, though. My teaching group are lovely, a real mixed bag and the tutors, though all slightly nutty, are excellent! So far I've examined woodlice, sung cheesy French songs, read kids books aloud to a group of adults, and been thoroughly terrified every Wednesday morning - Maths lesson! I'm still smiling and I just can't wait to be back in school again. Lemme at 'em! All I need is minds for moulding...

**Spot that film quote!**