Day 6 ...Tuesday

Its the usual start to the day 0530 read yesterdayas post :) .

0730 First class comes in, its a grade 6 class and they are continuing to work on their TANGRAMS. The biggest problems are mainly based around the Mitre saw and the kids not setting it to 45 degrees properly, and this is due to the fact there are 27 kids in the class and although I have demonstrated and I try to make sure each kid is working properly it isn't possible to get around all the kids and watch the 3 mitre saws in use. I find this very frustrating there are just too many kids with usually 3 or 4 at your side all the time asking questions or wanting some form of help or reassurance. Trying to keep an eye on safety, use of goggles, proper use of the Vibrosaws and Bench Sander and to ensure the personal safety of the kids is a major issue in the size of rooms we have.

0830 First of my Grade 8 classes and they get straight into working which is really good, some of the work is very good some of it is average. But they are working. I get on with painting the outer area of the school map the kids are to model on, a nice flat black. Makes the map look a lot more professional. Next stage is to create and produce the grass areas, pathways and running tracks, leaving spaces for where the buildings will go.Basically I want the layout to look 100% professional with just spaces where their buildings they manufacture will fit.

0930 Mentoria and I spend the whole 30 minutes chatting to the kids about the upcoming Families Day on Friday. There is a charge for the kids to attend the families day which is going to start at 0730 and end at 1100 at NIGHT ! Those who have paid the charge are allowed to wear jeans all week!! Looking around the sports field at break time shows just a handful of kids in jeans !!! Teachers will be responsible for normal day to day control up till 1530. With parents taking charge after. More about this on Friday.

10.00 Coffee and a quick web surf and email check

1030 Second of three Grade 8 classes come in and are not quite so proactive and I actually have to ask if they have finished everything and if so I will collect it in, the reaction is instant and work appears all over the place. One boy asks me why he failed the term...It isn't Rocket Science if you dont work you dont get grades, it is reassuring to hear that he has failed a lot of other subjects too, though you would hope he might realize failign isnt the way forward.

1130 Is my first free period and I dont have any covers so its a chance to start trying to organise and tidy my classroom, that after 3 classes in a row now looks like a bomb site. Oh and have another coffee ( Its the caffeine seriously its wonderful).

1230 Last of my Grade 8 classes for the day and more work, I sit with one lad who is really clever but is struggling with a very difficult 2 point perspective the building has so many alcoves its a nightmare to draw, but we get there. I feel guilty though, as I have spent close to 20 minutes working with one student, which is not a productive use of my time and the other kids will have suffered a bit, but then I might have had a profound effect on the pupil I worked with, how do you balance the scales.

1330 Lunch, I had something that was about the size of a kidney bean but tasted a bit like a baked bean with rice (No Surprise there) a Baked Potatoe that is encrusted with salt (Thats how its served) and some shredded beef thats really tasty.

1430 My second free period allowing for more tidying and organising, to the point where my classroom looks immaculate, even Nelson the technician walked in looked around and said " Gooooood Steve" with the emphasis on the "ooooo" sound which is a nod of approval if there ever was one.

1530 back on the bus home still feeling a little red and a little tender from the over exposure to the sun yesterday!! However a restful night a cold beer and some TV should see me hopefully fully recovered for tomorrow.

Hasta Manyana....