Thinking outside the box...

Funny how you just assume things,that somethings are settled and correct. Not so I discovered today when I noticed the blog times were all incorrect and it looked as though I been putting things up at strange hours.
Made me think of the maths games I have played with children and how educational culture can alter how the children respond. Take the game of Buzz, which entails counting and on a designated number e.g.every number 2 or in 2 sequence table, you say buzz. This takes a knowledge of sequence, table bonds and concentration as each person in the class takes a turn. So 1,buzz,3,buzz,5,buzz.....19,buzz,buzz,buzz... and, if you get it wrong ,you are out of the game.
So here in France whats the difference? Well it causes a problem, because everybody has to think independently, answer singly and the sequence/ turn taking constantly changes as people drop out. Added to that (forgive the pun) is the English language and did we have fun! We used a number square (grid with numbers in tens in order) to help, but part way through even the class teacher, who normally does not get involved, looked confused and asked for a copy of the square.
So we tried it in French,quite a test for my concentration, and still it was really hard work, because it meant changing parammeters....in this case literally thinking outside the box.

What's in a name....what's relevant

What's in a name?

So another English lesson over and rather pleased with how it went, as I endeavoured creative letter writing based on the Olympic work we have been doing.
Now the children are keen to learn but are so used to structure its hard to venture outside. Should have known it didn't bode well back when I started at the school. They could neither name the school or the road it stood on. Now there is only one main street in the village on which stands the school. And, emblazoned on the wall, is the school name, so what was the problem?Well its not that the children lack ability or even common sense , its a case of relevance.
Of course they know which school they go to and so does everyone else....its the village school; identity goes with person and village, not place. 
So here I am extending their  horizons looking at countries, continents and writing to children in England. They understand the concepts, enjoy the letters arriving, but find the process and activities bewildering, even unnecessary.Play a game with words, make a puzzle with actions; just tell me the English words & I'll learn them. Throw a soft toy, say the word with the action play Olympic bingo . Why, I'll just learn it...not relevant, its not better just different.
But we succeeded & finished those letters. Beautifully written, perfectly spelt and lovingly decorated...just all a bit 'samey'. My relevant French words for today ....'meme chose'.

Teaching and that Sunday feeling...

Strange how that Sunday afternoon feeling,before facing the classroom sharp edged on Monday morning,never changes. Even in the sleepy villages of the Pay de la Loire, even when its purely voluntary, even when the class is only ten strong....that creeping doubt comes uninvited.  


Le Fresnay Farmhouse, Pay de la Loire

Thats the challenge after years of city teaching, special needs advisory work to return, from those 'nowty teenagers', to work in  the primary class.
Can I really cut the mustard at the French Chalkface?

'Retired (early) teacher (who should know better) seeks challenge and community links with local village school...seemed like a good idea at the time'