Day 6 and on a Friday a feeling of completion.

Today had its highs and its embarassments.

I'll start with the Highs another 3 x Grade 8 classes and even more ideas about how to make a box differently. One pupil brought me a cardboard net of a complex self locking lid based box and another diagrams of a magnetic catch lid using a paperclip as the contact (very innovative). It does make me feel good when you see pupils using creativity, problem solving and critical thinking, as I do believe this is what technology teaching is all about. In Scotland we are still too caught up in the teaching of hand skills for craft work than the critical thinking skills of technological innovation.

But now to the other area. I got on the bus this morning and because it was busy I had to sit beside a young primary lad who was clutching a print out of a page from the BBC web site and a large poster he had obviously drawn, almost bigger than he was. Now having noticed the BBC logo and being a graphics teacher I was interested in what he had been drawing so I asked and he mumbled something like "Its about our life" which I didn't quite catch on to, not one to be put off I asked if I could I see it, and somewhat reluctantly he unrolled it. I was greeted with a childs drawing, an almost full size picture of a young boy totally naked. Only then did I notice the page title of the print out PUBERTY ! If you have ever felt you wanted the seat to open up and swallow you I can assure thats how I felt at that moment. The fact the 2 teen girls sitting close by had a severe case of the giggles only made matters worse. (Another good note to self.. If in doubt DONT ASK !!!). I think I felt more awkward than the young lad and I hope his teacher gave him good marks for his anatomical expertise. Thank goodness I wont be around when he gets to grade 5 I doubt either of us could cope!