Keeping in Touch with Teaching

Although I retired from teaching after 33 years, I still get offered short contracts at my old school. I rather enjoy these short times back in the workforce to keep me on my toes and the old grey matter ticking over, not to mention the extra money to go towards our travel fund. A few weeks ago I was asked to replace the teacher helping kids with difficulties, while she was away. It was interesting to see the changes since my last visit in April.

The hit up wall has gone from this concrete pad as it might fall down and squash someone, but the netball, basketball and tennis court is still there. The grounds are still looking nice.

This playground is still here.

Wow, and new play equipment and artificial grass has been installed between the buildings.

A brand new hall and offices are being constructed.Many schools got new buildings this year as part of the government's plan to give the economy a boost and provide jobs. It seems to have worked as we are on the way out of the slump and we never fell into recession as deep as other countries, thank goodness.

On the last day at school I had finished all my jobs half an hour before the bell. I went into a Year 2 class to see if they needed any help. I helped them make a Chinese lantern. When the children had finished they could choose a free choice activity for the last few minutes of the day.

I was fascinated with this group of girls using the new interactive white boards. We never had them when I was teaching full time. The teachers had to do an inservice course to learn how to operate them. The kids were having fun with an educational game.

This group opted to model with play dough or construct with Lego.

Some used the computers.

Sadly no one chose to read. However, many of them are still learning English.