It is said that the Arabic word Taqwa can never really be translated as it encompasses a range of emotions, the fear of Allah being only one of them. but i wanted to talk a little about this topic becasue fear is a very powerful emotion.
Here are a few things that scare me
There will be more women then men in hell
A woman who wears tight clothes will never even smell the scent of paradise.
Out of every 1000 muslims, only one will go to paradise without first having to go to hell.
Whoever misses the pre dawn prayer intentinally even once will enter hell for at least 50,000 years.
I could talk about Allah’s mercy next. But I don’t want to. Because I think I for one could do with a bit more taqwa in my day to day life.
Saturday 31 March 2007
Friday 30 March 2007
every child matters
I know every child matters, that is why I wanted to teach in the first place and definitely why I wanted to be a personal tutor! But what I don’t get is why I have to waste time proving it on paper for the benefit of other people when I could be working on actually doing it!
Our college is being inspected next month, (I will no doubt be ranting a lot more about this soon) and so the college has decided that every single scheme of work has to be moved on to a new format with a separate column for every child matters. Now, I don’t want to turn into one of the cynical old men that were being quite rude to the management team in the meeting we had on this topic in the meeting this morning,
but I can see their point.
I teach English .why should I have to mention the every child matters agendas in every single lesson?
A bit of background.
Every child matters came about due to the death of Victoria climbie, an eight year old girl who was severely tortured by her aunt and boyfriend. The shocking thing about the case was that no one noticed how bad she was being treated until after she died, even though all the signs were there and she had had numerous contact with the police, social services etc who all failed to notice or acknowledge her suffering.
The government’s response to this was to make it an obligation for every professional in charge of children to look out for a child’s welfare. In terms of teaching this means we have to show how we are incorporating the following in to lessons plans:
• Be healthy
• Stay safe
• Enjoy and achieve
• Make a positive contribution
• Achieve economic well-being
Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in the agenda and deal with these issues all the time in tutorials. (we did food diaries one time! I had to ..stretch the truth…ok blatantly lie on mine so I looked like a good role model!) I suppose they can be done in English as well. For example, when analyzing a persuasive writing text you could use a piece on why alcohol consumption is bad for you , or any language quizzes would come under enjoying and achieving or you could set an activity where students have to write an instructive piece on how children should cross the road.
I suppose I can see the benefit of it then. Just wish I didn’t have to change all my schemes of work
For those of you thinking of applying for teaching, or about to go for an interview, every child matters is high on the government’s agenda at the moment and so a big thing in schools, so it might be worth mentioning what you know about it on application forms.
Regards.
Our college is being inspected next month, (I will no doubt be ranting a lot more about this soon) and so the college has decided that every single scheme of work has to be moved on to a new format with a separate column for every child matters. Now, I don’t want to turn into one of the cynical old men that were being quite rude to the management team in the meeting we had on this topic in the meeting this morning,
but I can see their point.
I teach English .why should I have to mention the every child matters agendas in every single lesson?
A bit of background.
Every child matters came about due to the death of Victoria climbie, an eight year old girl who was severely tortured by her aunt and boyfriend. The shocking thing about the case was that no one noticed how bad she was being treated until after she died, even though all the signs were there and she had had numerous contact with the police, social services etc who all failed to notice or acknowledge her suffering.
The government’s response to this was to make it an obligation for every professional in charge of children to look out for a child’s welfare. In terms of teaching this means we have to show how we are incorporating the following in to lessons plans:
• Be healthy
• Stay safe
• Enjoy and achieve
• Make a positive contribution
• Achieve economic well-being
Don’t get me wrong, I do believe in the agenda and deal with these issues all the time in tutorials. (we did food diaries one time! I had to ..stretch the truth…ok blatantly lie on mine so I looked like a good role model!) I suppose they can be done in English as well. For example, when analyzing a persuasive writing text you could use a piece on why alcohol consumption is bad for you , or any language quizzes would come under enjoying and achieving or you could set an activity where students have to write an instructive piece on how children should cross the road.
I suppose I can see the benefit of it then. Just wish I didn’t have to change all my schemes of work
For those of you thinking of applying for teaching, or about to go for an interview, every child matters is high on the government’s agenda at the moment and so a big thing in schools, so it might be worth mentioning what you know about it on application forms.
Regards.
Thursday 29 March 2007
an interesting experience
we had some visitors from a special needs school today at the college. they set up a stall outside the refectory and the theme was "walk in my shoes", and you basically had to try to do an everyday activity but from the perspective of a disabled person e.g walk around the college with with your eyes closed (with a guide.)
the students were annoying the hell out of me because they refused to participate. i know it is embarrassing doing something like that in front of everybody, but that was the whole point: to experience how some people feel every day.
so anyway, after a while we figured we should lead by example and the staff had a go. it really was an interesting experience. i had a go at writing my name with my teeth, with both hands behind my back and got laughed at ALOT as it was completely illegible. then had a go at reading a story as fast as i could.. backwards. finally had to try and pick up a cocktail stick with six pair of gloves on.
it was very frustrating, and an excellent reminder of how grateful we should be for what we often take for granted.
after much nagging some of the students had a go, but think i might try it again in tutorial when it is not so public, especially the dyslexia awareness ones. it will encourage people to be a lot more patient i think, and remind them that dyslexia has nothing to do with ability.
i picked up lots of useful resources too. i will post them as soon as i figure out how.
the students were annoying the hell out of me because they refused to participate. i know it is embarrassing doing something like that in front of everybody, but that was the whole point: to experience how some people feel every day.
so anyway, after a while we figured we should lead by example and the staff had a go. it really was an interesting experience. i had a go at writing my name with my teeth, with both hands behind my back and got laughed at ALOT as it was completely illegible. then had a go at reading a story as fast as i could.. backwards. finally had to try and pick up a cocktail stick with six pair of gloves on.
it was very frustrating, and an excellent reminder of how grateful we should be for what we often take for granted.
after much nagging some of the students had a go, but think i might try it again in tutorial when it is not so public, especially the dyslexia awareness ones. it will encourage people to be a lot more patient i think, and remind them that dyslexia has nothing to do with ability.
i picked up lots of useful resources too. i will post them as soon as i figure out how.
Wednesday 28 March 2007
safe driving
i haven't had an accident in five years, alhamdulilah. hhm i do not think this is due to my own safe driving actually. i have made some very stupid mistakes and i can't park(at all, really, ask anyone. sometimes i have to get out and let me sister in law do it. hanging my head in shame at this , but i attribute it to all her years of london driving)
anyhow, the reason i am talking about safe driving is because i nearly died yesterday. in fact you're all lucky i am able to still talk to all of you good people (oh and mishy) because my darling little sister thought she would try and steer round the corner in third gear.
i think this is why women should be banned from driving. and yes, that is supposed to provoke a reaction from you and encourage you to share your driving experiences. saudi stepford wife, where have you gone, you have a feminist streak, if your last post is anything to go by:)
drive safe
anyhow, the reason i am talking about safe driving is because i nearly died yesterday. in fact you're all lucky i am able to still talk to all of you good people (oh and mishy) because my darling little sister thought she would try and steer round the corner in third gear.
i think this is why women should be banned from driving. and yes, that is supposed to provoke a reaction from you and encourage you to share your driving experiences. saudi stepford wife, where have you gone, you have a feminist streak, if your last post is anything to go by:)
drive safe
Tuesday 27 March 2007
the daughter of the prophet, peace be upon him.
Went to a talk the other day delivered by Shaykha Aysha Scott from Malaysia. The topic was the prophet’s sallahu alayhi wassalm (saw) daughter, Sidi Fatima. I’ve been waiting ag-es for a talk on a topic of this nature, so was super excited and the talk was as good as expected. Thought I would summarise and share my notes, although they do not seem to be doing justice to the passion and enthusiasm of the speaker.
Sidi fatima was the most beloved of the prophet’s (saw) children. Her status in the eyes of Allah was manifested when she saw the angel Gibreel during the night of mirage in his true form. Other than the prophet (saw) she was the only person to be granted this privilege.
When the time for her marriage came, the prophet (saw) requested everyone interested to recite the whole qura’n in one night. No one managed this task except for Ali. He recited surah ikhlas three times and was granted Fatimah’s hand in marriage.
Sidi Fatimah lived in poverty until the day she died. She found it difficult to complete her household duties but did not complain. Once Ali took pity on her and asked the prophet (saw) for a servant. The prophet (saw) stated that reciting subhanallah 33 times, alhamdullaih33 times and allahu akbar 34times was better then the help of a servent. Until their deaths, Fatima and Ali never failed to do this.
When the time came for the prophet (saw) to return to his Lord, he called for Fatimah to come to see her. He whispered something in her ear, and she cried. He whispered something again and she laughed. After the prophet (saw) passed away sidi aysha enquired about what the prophet (saw)had said. She said the first time he (saw) called her over he had told her he will soon leave the world, so she had cried. The second time, he told her that she would be the first to join him,so she laughed.
Six months after nabi’s (saw) death, Fatima lay down on her bed and peacefully passed away. Along with sidi Aysha, she is buried next to the prophet (saw) in her house.
In the ahadith it is stated that she will be the leader of all women in paradise.
All truth is from Allah alone and any mistakes are due to my own limited capacity for understanding. If you notice any discrepancies, please give me a shout so it can be changed.
Sidi fatima was the most beloved of the prophet’s (saw) children. Her status in the eyes of Allah was manifested when she saw the angel Gibreel during the night of mirage in his true form. Other than the prophet (saw) she was the only person to be granted this privilege.
When the time for her marriage came, the prophet (saw) requested everyone interested to recite the whole qura’n in one night. No one managed this task except for Ali. He recited surah ikhlas three times and was granted Fatimah’s hand in marriage.
Sidi Fatimah lived in poverty until the day she died. She found it difficult to complete her household duties but did not complain. Once Ali took pity on her and asked the prophet (saw) for a servant. The prophet (saw) stated that reciting subhanallah 33 times, alhamdullaih33 times and allahu akbar 34times was better then the help of a servent. Until their deaths, Fatima and Ali never failed to do this.
When the time came for the prophet (saw) to return to his Lord, he called for Fatimah to come to see her. He whispered something in her ear, and she cried. He whispered something again and she laughed. After the prophet (saw) passed away sidi aysha enquired about what the prophet (saw)had said. She said the first time he (saw) called her over he had told her he will soon leave the world, so she had cried. The second time, he told her that she would be the first to join him,so she laughed.
Six months after nabi’s (saw) death, Fatima lay down on her bed and peacefully passed away. Along with sidi Aysha, she is buried next to the prophet (saw) in her house.
In the ahadith it is stated that she will be the leader of all women in paradise.
All truth is from Allah alone and any mistakes are due to my own limited capacity for understanding. If you notice any discrepancies, please give me a shout so it can be changed.
Saturday 24 March 2007
It’s nearly easter!
And no, I’m not excited (that much) because of all the chocolate, but because it means two weeks holidays, which are much needed. Usually I don’t like long holidays, I end up missing my students (largely because I have no one to boss around) but I have been quite cranky recently, and have been taking it out on the students which I usually hate. Oh and before anyone starts complaining about how many holidays teachers have, I have a LOT of marking to do.
Which is partly why I’ve been so cranky probably. If there is one single thing I hate about my job it’s all the useless unnecessary paperwork. Actually I don’t mind the marking as much but it’s having to do endless lesson plans and schemes of work that no one checks. One thing they don’t tell you about in the recent adverts with the pretty interested students anyway, I shouldn’t complain too much, some people do nothing but pointless paperwork all day in offices and have no interaction with other people. Imagine.
Probably shouldn’t get too excited yet. Have got a week of giddy end of term mentality to put up with yet. So does anyone have any ideas for lessons that don’t involve my dictionary challnge! Which doesn’t go down well for some reason.
Which is partly why I’ve been so cranky probably. If there is one single thing I hate about my job it’s all the useless unnecessary paperwork. Actually I don’t mind the marking as much but it’s having to do endless lesson plans and schemes of work that no one checks. One thing they don’t tell you about in the recent adverts with the pretty interested students anyway, I shouldn’t complain too much, some people do nothing but pointless paperwork all day in offices and have no interaction with other people. Imagine.
Probably shouldn’t get too excited yet. Have got a week of giddy end of term mentality to put up with yet. So does anyone have any ideas for lessons that don’t involve my dictionary challnge! Which doesn’t go down well for some reason.
Friday 23 March 2007
Thursday 22 March 2007
lemon-honey chicken
ingredients
chicken wings (about 8)
lemon juice (about 50ml)
honey (about 50g)
salt pepper
preparation
marinade the chicken with the lemon and honey and sprinkle with salt and pepper. leave overnight.
place chicken mixture in a baking dish and roast in a prehated oven for about 45 minutes.
serve with lemon wedges and leftover sauce.
apologies for the vaugeness regarding measurements, but i haven't actually tried this recipe, but have tasted it:) to give credit where it is due, i tried it as umm arwah's house, and she assures me it was very easy to make. actually, it is because of arwa that she probably isn't reading this even. (i love arwa) anyway, let me know if you try it:)
chicken wings (about 8)
lemon juice (about 50ml)
honey (about 50g)
salt pepper
preparation
marinade the chicken with the lemon and honey and sprinkle with salt and pepper. leave overnight.
place chicken mixture in a baking dish and roast in a prehated oven for about 45 minutes.
serve with lemon wedges and leftover sauce.
apologies for the vaugeness regarding measurements, but i haven't actually tried this recipe, but have tasted it:) to give credit where it is due, i tried it as umm arwah's house, and she assures me it was very easy to make. actually, it is because of arwa that she probably isn't reading this even. (i love arwa) anyway, let me know if you try it:)
Wednesday 21 March 2007
5 weird things about me
1. i can move my ears without touching them. i mean just my ears without moving the rest of my face. it's a skill i'm quite proud of as a matter of fact.
2. i share the exact same birthday as my sister. we were born one year apart.
3. i tend to sing a lot whilst i'm moving around the house. it annoys my family a lot.
4. i learnt how to play the drums in school.
5. my students think i'm Kenyan. i thought it was funny so never bothered correcting them.
ok, so i'm very new to the blogging world, but i do know that now i've done this, i can "tag" other people and they have to do the same thing on their blog? so i tag ymiss and umm maymoona. the rest of you can just do it on my comments section of course:)
2. i share the exact same birthday as my sister. we were born one year apart.
3. i tend to sing a lot whilst i'm moving around the house. it annoys my family a lot.
4. i learnt how to play the drums in school.
5. my students think i'm Kenyan. i thought it was funny so never bothered correcting them.
ok, so i'm very new to the blogging world, but i do know that now i've done this, i can "tag" other people and they have to do the same thing on their blog? so i tag ymiss and umm maymoona. the rest of you can just do it on my comments section of course:)
Tuesday 20 March 2007
the last time i cried
"you're not a real teacher until you've cried anyway"
when i first arrived at the school i used to see this innocent looking blonde boy standing outside in the corridor. i couldn't believe he had been sent out of so many classes as he was always polite and looked sheepish when people walked past.
anyway, i ended up teaching this boy in my year 7 class and he was very quiet and always got on with his work. then one day as i was walking past his desk, i noticed that the task he was so engrossed in had less to do with learning spellings and more to do with drawing cartoons. so:
me: X, put that away and get on with your work.
X: leave me alone, everyone is always picking on me, i hate you. your work is boring anyway, i'm going to tell my dad over you.
i kept him behind at break, and he decided to mumble on (mostly about setting his dad on me for some obscure reason)so that his 15 minute detention soon turned into a 45 minute detention. he finally mananged to remain quite for 2 minutes, and then i had to let him go to get to my next class.
i walked into the class (year 9) and burst into tears. the classroom teacher quickly escorted me in to the staffroom, amid cries of "we didn't do anything to her" from the year 9s, where i wailed lke a baby for about half an hour. that's when my mentor told me "you're not a real teacher until you've cried anyway", which made me feel heaps better. i really do think having a good mentor can make or break your pgce year. anyway, she also told me that X can be very aggressive when it comes to his cartoons (it's what he wants to do when he grows up) and also, as i've learnt since, boys have to put up a macho image in front of their friends when they are being told off in public.
i don't know why X got to me so much, i think i just needed to cry to get it out of my system. i haven't let a student get to me that much since (well at least i haven't cried since!)
i think you just have to remember that in the classroom, it is not a "real" situation and the students rarely hate you, just what you represent. plus, most (but not all) of the time students only misbehave when they're bored or the work is too difficult for them. that's why supply teachers have such a rough time, the students feel that the member of staff doesn't care about them and won't be with them long term so don't bother making the effort.
one good thing to come out of it was that the year 9s were really nice to me for the rest of my placement:)
so, when was the last time you cried...
when i first arrived at the school i used to see this innocent looking blonde boy standing outside in the corridor. i couldn't believe he had been sent out of so many classes as he was always polite and looked sheepish when people walked past.
anyway, i ended up teaching this boy in my year 7 class and he was very quiet and always got on with his work. then one day as i was walking past his desk, i noticed that the task he was so engrossed in had less to do with learning spellings and more to do with drawing cartoons. so:
me: X, put that away and get on with your work.
X: leave me alone, everyone is always picking on me, i hate you. your work is boring anyway, i'm going to tell my dad over you.
i kept him behind at break, and he decided to mumble on (mostly about setting his dad on me for some obscure reason)so that his 15 minute detention soon turned into a 45 minute detention. he finally mananged to remain quite for 2 minutes, and then i had to let him go to get to my next class.
i walked into the class (year 9) and burst into tears. the classroom teacher quickly escorted me in to the staffroom, amid cries of "we didn't do anything to her" from the year 9s, where i wailed lke a baby for about half an hour. that's when my mentor told me "you're not a real teacher until you've cried anyway", which made me feel heaps better. i really do think having a good mentor can make or break your pgce year. anyway, she also told me that X can be very aggressive when it comes to his cartoons (it's what he wants to do when he grows up) and also, as i've learnt since, boys have to put up a macho image in front of their friends when they are being told off in public.
i don't know why X got to me so much, i think i just needed to cry to get it out of my system. i haven't let a student get to me that much since (well at least i haven't cried since!)
i think you just have to remember that in the classroom, it is not a "real" situation and the students rarely hate you, just what you represent. plus, most (but not all) of the time students only misbehave when they're bored or the work is too difficult for them. that's why supply teachers have such a rough time, the students feel that the member of staff doesn't care about them and won't be with them long term so don't bother making the effort.
one good thing to come out of it was that the year 9s were really nice to me for the rest of my placement:)
so, when was the last time you cried...
Monday 19 March 2007
food diary
let's talk food:)
breakfast. have been trying my best with this recently, as thought it was getting a bit ridiculous that i can't function without my cofee in the morning. so, set my alarm a half hour early and have been munching away on weetabix. then one morning, thought would try something a little different and tried oatibix. have not been able to face breakfast ever since. don't know who came up with the idea, but it does not taste good.
lunch-haven't had the time or inclination really to make lunch recently so have to brave the refectory. at the last student council meeting, the students were complaining about prices, and its only now i know what they mean. since when was it £2.OO for a sandwich? i remmebr in my day it was 90p. anyway, due to the every child matters agenda, and of course jamie oliver, vending machines are another thing that are becoming a thing of the past. which is fine, i'm all for that, but sometimes you just need a chocolate fix to function.
anyway, usually end up snacking through the day with at least 2-3 cups of cofee and i know i don't drink anywhere near enough water, although read somewhere that cofee can be included in the 2 litres wer're supposed to be drinking everyday? i think that may be just wishful thinking though.
so anyway, i think my diet needs sorting out a bit. used to got through phases of healthy eating and it really does help you feel better. so, come on, any advice for small and easy steps. i know there are at least two medics reading this..
breakfast. have been trying my best with this recently, as thought it was getting a bit ridiculous that i can't function without my cofee in the morning. so, set my alarm a half hour early and have been munching away on weetabix. then one morning, thought would try something a little different and tried oatibix. have not been able to face breakfast ever since. don't know who came up with the idea, but it does not taste good.
lunch-haven't had the time or inclination really to make lunch recently so have to brave the refectory. at the last student council meeting, the students were complaining about prices, and its only now i know what they mean. since when was it £2.OO for a sandwich? i remmebr in my day it was 90p. anyway, due to the every child matters agenda, and of course jamie oliver, vending machines are another thing that are becoming a thing of the past. which is fine, i'm all for that, but sometimes you just need a chocolate fix to function.
anyway, usually end up snacking through the day with at least 2-3 cups of cofee and i know i don't drink anywhere near enough water, although read somewhere that cofee can be included in the 2 litres wer're supposed to be drinking everyday? i think that may be just wishful thinking though.
so anyway, i think my diet needs sorting out a bit. used to got through phases of healthy eating and it really does help you feel better. so, come on, any advice for small and easy steps. i know there are at least two medics reading this..
Sunday 18 March 2007
biriyani recipe
made biriyani today, so thought i` would share the recipe whilst it was fresh in my head. this one is especially for my sister in law's sister in law (i'm sure there must be a word for that??)
Ingredients
2 onions, finely chopped.
I garlic, grated
4 tomotoes, chopped.
1 pound boneless chicken
2 medium sized glasses of rice
Salt, pepper and chilli powder (to taste)
I teaspoon tumeric powder
I teaspoon coriander powder
2 heaped tablespoons of cumin seeds
I box of biriyani mix
I oxo cube
I lemon
2 peppers, chopped
4 carrots, grated
4 medium sized potatoes, cubed
2 onions, thinly sliced.
5 boiled eggs, thinly sliced
Preparation
Fry the onions and garlic in some oil, add the chopped tomatoes when onions have browned slightly. leave to simmer for five minutes. Add the boneless chicken. Add salt, pepper, oxo cube, biriyani mix(sometimes I use Indian oxo cubes), coriander powder, tumeric powder and red chilli powder. Add the juice of one lemon and leave on low until the chicken is cooked. Add peppers and grated carrot just before taking off the heat.
Fry the onions and potatoes and leave to one side.
Boil the rice, adding salt and cumin seeds, until almost cooked. Drain and leave to cool slightly.
Use a deep oven proof pan. Add a touch of olive oil to the bottom of the pan. Add a layer of rice, then a layer of the chicken mixture followed by another layer of rice. Then add fried onions and potatoes, ensuring all layers are spread evenly. Add another layer of the rice and chicken mixture, finishing with a final layer of rice. Leave dish on low heat, or in the oven for half an hour. serve on a try with the boiled eggs. Oh and invite hema round for dinner:)
Saturday 17 March 2007
lesson observation
Had a lesson observation this week.
Have been stressing out about it all week as not used to them anymore. It’s funny during your pgce you have one every week so it didn’t used to phase me, but I think I have got used to bad habits. Kind of like driving. Who thinks they would be able to pass a driving test if they were to take a test tomorrow?
Anyway, thankfully the lesson went ok, apart from accidentally telling them euphemism began with a u, which caused a lot of confusion when they were trying to complete their crossword, but in my defence I was running around giving out pens, so it’s easily done! The class are retake GCSEs and allergic to English, but tried their best. By that I mean they didn’t try to throw things at each other or spend the lesson complaining about ginger people (don’t ask). Anyway, at the end of the lesson, she said “they’re a lively bunch aren’t they?” hhm there’s a euphemism if I’ve ever heard one.
Have to take my class to alton towers:( have been trying to get out of it, but every other class is going, so I suppose it’s only fair that mine go to. I’m not a big fan of rides. Why would you pay for something so scary? I have never understood it. I think I might hide in a café the whole time. Or eat candy floss. Or hunt for toffee apples, I’ve been trying to find somewhere that sells them. Actually, I’m rather looking forward to it now..
Hhm, this blog isn’t very pretty compared to some other peoples’. I might spend some time tidying it up. Although, I should probably clean my room first……
Have been stressing out about it all week as not used to them anymore. It’s funny during your pgce you have one every week so it didn’t used to phase me, but I think I have got used to bad habits. Kind of like driving. Who thinks they would be able to pass a driving test if they were to take a test tomorrow?
Anyway, thankfully the lesson went ok, apart from accidentally telling them euphemism began with a u, which caused a lot of confusion when they were trying to complete their crossword, but in my defence I was running around giving out pens, so it’s easily done! The class are retake GCSEs and allergic to English, but tried their best. By that I mean they didn’t try to throw things at each other or spend the lesson complaining about ginger people (don’t ask). Anyway, at the end of the lesson, she said “they’re a lively bunch aren’t they?” hhm there’s a euphemism if I’ve ever heard one.
Have to take my class to alton towers:( have been trying to get out of it, but every other class is going, so I suppose it’s only fair that mine go to. I’m not a big fan of rides. Why would you pay for something so scary? I have never understood it. I think I might hide in a café the whole time. Or eat candy floss. Or hunt for toffee apples, I’ve been trying to find somewhere that sells them. Actually, I’m rather looking forward to it now..
Hhm, this blog isn’t very pretty compared to some other peoples’. I might spend some time tidying it up. Although, I should probably clean my room first……
Thursday 15 March 2007
bullying
“They seemed to have taken all of their smoothly cultivated ignorance, their exquisitely learned self-hatred, their elaborately designed hopelessness and sucked it all up into a fiery cone of scorn that had burned for ages in the hollows of their minds- cooled- and spilled over lips of outrage, consuming whatever was in its path.”
I thought that was a rather astute analysis of bullying from Toni Morrison’s “the bluest eye”.
The issue of bullying has been bugging me for a while now. At the start of the year, one of my students ( we’ll call her L, I’m no good at making up names!) told me some of the boys were throwing things at her in the corridors to get a reaction out of her, encouraged by some of the girls. I dealt with the situation by putting everyone involved on report. The boys eased off after a while, but the girls just made things worse for her. Comments, giggling and excluding her from the group- all of the things teenage girls are so good at. It got to the point where L stopped coming to lessons. I eventually “dealt” with the situation by transferring her to another tutor group, which of course is not really dealing with the problem at all. The other girls involved are actually quite nice. They admitted it’s just group mentality and not wanting to stand out from the crowd.
Recently two students, F and C, had a falling out. They used to be friends so I tried to investigate what it was about. Apparently, F had “stolen” C’s boyfriend. C is very popular in the college, and started a campaign to make sure F was as hated as possible, which included spreading some very vicious rumors and name calling. F has now missed a whole week and is thinking of leaving the college. I have been advised by her form tutor to just stay out of it, as F will probably be leaving anyway, due to a range of other problems. But it’s the name calling and the backstabbing that gets tome the most. No one deserves to be treated like that, it’s not nice.
So anyone have any ideas or tips on how to deal with bullies? was anyone bullied at school and found a way of dealing it. Or maybe some of you were bullies yourself… hhm that would be a good way of getting an insight into how bullies’ minds work. So come on, own up. You can remain anonymous of course..
I thought that was a rather astute analysis of bullying from Toni Morrison’s “the bluest eye”.
The issue of bullying has been bugging me for a while now. At the start of the year, one of my students ( we’ll call her L, I’m no good at making up names!) told me some of the boys were throwing things at her in the corridors to get a reaction out of her, encouraged by some of the girls. I dealt with the situation by putting everyone involved on report. The boys eased off after a while, but the girls just made things worse for her. Comments, giggling and excluding her from the group- all of the things teenage girls are so good at. It got to the point where L stopped coming to lessons. I eventually “dealt” with the situation by transferring her to another tutor group, which of course is not really dealing with the problem at all. The other girls involved are actually quite nice. They admitted it’s just group mentality and not wanting to stand out from the crowd.
Recently two students, F and C, had a falling out. They used to be friends so I tried to investigate what it was about. Apparently, F had “stolen” C’s boyfriend. C is very popular in the college, and started a campaign to make sure F was as hated as possible, which included spreading some very vicious rumors and name calling. F has now missed a whole week and is thinking of leaving the college. I have been advised by her form tutor to just stay out of it, as F will probably be leaving anyway, due to a range of other problems. But it’s the name calling and the backstabbing that gets tome the most. No one deserves to be treated like that, it’s not nice.
So anyone have any ideas or tips on how to deal with bullies? was anyone bullied at school and found a way of dealing it. Or maybe some of you were bullies yourself… hhm that would be a good way of getting an insight into how bullies’ minds work. So come on, own up. You can remain anonymous of course..
Wednesday 14 March 2007
what's in a name?
this blog of mine, as no doubt you'll soon be able to tell, is really just an opportuntiy for me to ramble on. i do not currently have many friends you see. they all gradually got hitched, had one or two crying machines, and then disappeared off the face of the earth.
however, i am also hoping that this blog will be beneficial to anyone having the privilige of reading it. i promised to upload some teaching resources on here for example, and i'm hoping to exchange ideas with others lucky/crazy (depending on my mood) enough to be in this field, as well as providing an insight into the day to day life of teaching. i will also post some of my recipes, so that those of you living on junkfood and myfood can learn to fend for yourselves. i shall not name names but you know who you are!
i have predilection for blogs at the moment (and also a predilection for the word predilection) anyway, i have a few favourite blogs i check regularly, which i will link to as soon as i figure out how, and thought it was about time i stopped talking about what to name my blog and just come up with soemthing! hema is a childhood nickname, which means i can maintain anonyminity and still keep part of my identity. well i like it anyway.
speaking of names, my sister in law has decided she wants to do something about the current serene atmosphere in our house by introducing a crying machine into the bargain soon. so, any ideas for names would be appreciated. just so he/she doesn't end up with some of the recent suggestions that have been put forward. i mean HIBA??????
however, i am also hoping that this blog will be beneficial to anyone having the privilige of reading it. i promised to upload some teaching resources on here for example, and i'm hoping to exchange ideas with others lucky/crazy (depending on my mood) enough to be in this field, as well as providing an insight into the day to day life of teaching. i will also post some of my recipes, so that those of you living on junkfood and myfood can learn to fend for yourselves. i shall not name names but you know who you are!
i have predilection for blogs at the moment (and also a predilection for the word predilection) anyway, i have a few favourite blogs i check regularly, which i will link to as soon as i figure out how, and thought it was about time i stopped talking about what to name my blog and just come up with soemthing! hema is a childhood nickname, which means i can maintain anonyminity and still keep part of my identity. well i like it anyway.
speaking of names, my sister in law has decided she wants to do something about the current serene atmosphere in our house by introducing a crying machine into the bargain soon. so, any ideas for names would be appreciated. just so he/she doesn't end up with some of the recent suggestions that have been put forward. i mean HIBA??????
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