Under the sea (of paperwork!)

In the past month or so since I last blogged, I've done my subject tests (and passed!), handed in my first assignment and started my block placement. I wish I could string a few more words together but, it's only been 2 days in and I'm exhausted already! (I won't tell you how many times I've had to go back and correct words at this point!)

This week I am in charge of all things literary. Our topics is whales and I am helping the children write non-fiction reports. And that is about all I can say at the moment...too much other boring stuff like assessment and evaluation to do. Next time I promise I will give you a blow by blow (hole - whale ref duh!) account of some fantastic whale-related activities. Hummmmm... 

Alphabet Aerobics

This post is brought to you by the letter...A! For Alphabet.

First enjoy the brilliance of Blackalicious and then continue on down to my Top Ten alphabet books (eee Top Tenning is my favourite!!!)

1. Lucy and Tom's ABC - Shirley Hughes

Lucy and Tom have helped me through some tough times in my life: abc, 123, starting school, christmas! Beautifully illustarted by Shirley Hughes, this is not just an alphabet book, it's a story and has to be my number one for alphabet books. I can still remember "A is for acrobat, apples and ants...".

2. Letterland - I challenge you to be over 21 and not remember Letterland! You are either my age and learnt you alphabet via Annie Apple and Lucy Lamplady or you are older and taught your 80s babies the wonder of animal/people/ink bottle shaped letters (hi mum!)! Somehow schools manage to teach the alphabet without letterland these days...fools! Have fun and test yourself - best you know them all! Oh, Ticking Tom has changed to Ticking Tess (not enough female prescence in Letterland apparently!)

3. Quentin Blake's ABC - No one draws like Quentin Blake. A favourite of adults and children alike, former Children's Laureate Quentin Blake's ABC is a beautiful and funny, rhyming alphabet book for young children. If I had my way, Blake would illustrate everything. So pretty!

4. ABC UK - James Dunn, Helen Bate. Pretty much does exactly what it says on the tin - an ABC of the UK. Can be used to teach the alphabet or for information on Britain. For slightly older children who will have fun coming up with their own British alphabet and also finding out all the British best bits. From Arthur to Punk, the Queen, Robin Hood, The Beatles and Sherlock Holmes this alphabet book is a real winner! Almost makes you proud to be British!!

5. The Dangerous Alphabet - Neil Gaiman

An alphabet book for older children - great for classroom shelves I imagine. Key Stage 2 children will love looking through the familiar rhyme and discovering the gruesome pictures on each page. Would also be great for lower ability children and just generally kids who love anything scary and strange.

6. Crazy ABC - Judy Hindley, Nick Sharratt

Egg on my elbow, a flea on my knee, crazy’s the word for this ABC!

7. ABC Animal Jamboree - Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz

I initially discovered this author whilst looking for children's books to help me out with a lesson plan for Year One. Full of bright and colourful illustrations, Andreae's books are brilliant fun for first readers and especially great to read out in class. This ABC introduces children to ABC animals, from angel fish to zebras and brings them to life through some easy-to-memorise rhymes.

8. Alphabet Ice Cream - Sue Heap and Nick Sharratt

When I said earlier that I would like Quentin Blake to illustrate my life, I had forgotten about Nick Sharratt. Heap and Sharratt first collaborated in the drawing of Ruby and Garnet in Jaqueline Wilson's "Double Act" (one of my favourites) and they are reunited in this ABC book about two friends called Nick and Sue. Original. ;)

9. ABC Word Book - Richard Scarry

I had a bit of a soft spot for Richard Scarry when I was younger, which is perhaps why this alphabet book makes it into my top 10. Scarry's books aren't as popular in schools these days but I am positive that children will enjoy exploring busy town.

The book is very basic and has colorful text could be just the incentive to keep stimulated, interested and learning.

10. Alphabet Gallery - An ABC of Contemporary Illustrations
 

This book is a compendium of alphabet illustrations from the best children's illustrators of the day. Chidlren and grown-ups will love pouring over the pictures and will have fun recognising most of the illustrators. Perhaps one for a special occassion instead of on the classroom shelf.

 

I have added a few links here and here of other more grown up alphabets that I found on my ABC adventure. Feel free to suggest some more - and comment on my selection. Enjoy!

Back to School

I feel like I am back to school. Which I am. But I mean like really back to school. With a timetable, homework diary and lessons all day. Yesterday I had English, Science and Maths. Today was History, Geography and Art. Tomorrow is RE, ICT and English. I can't get enough of English so I am more than happy about that! I'm actually pretty happy with all of it. And everyone on the course is getting into the rhythms of daily life as a trainee teacher i.e. being very tired but furiously jotting everything down just in case it comes up later. I guess this first part is all the knowledge/subject stuff. What we will be teaching. Why we are teaching it etc etc. So far it has been very practical. We did experiments in science (which biscuit is the best dunker!), made a collage representation of words in Art (mine was joy! - which was extremely difficult for a non-arty like myself), played with historical artefacts in History, collected environmental objects from around campus in Geography, looked at children's books in English and we even got to play with blocks and counters in Maths. Now it might all sound fun and games but there is so much to learn. When we have finished our 9-5 day, we come home and do homework. Tonight I learnt about the 4 different ways you can use subtraction...try and work that one out if you can! And made up my own maths questions using the vocabulary associated with these methods. For example, Nick's cake was £3.99. Jen's was £4.95. How much cheaper was Nick's cake than Jen's? This question is an example of the comparison structure of subtraction. Didn't know that did ya???

My brain is so full already!!!!