An Update

Dear friends

It seems an age since I last wrote anything on my blog - 3 September to be exact.

You all know what it's like starting back to school. It's a roller coaster ride of ups and downs - and all at a thunderously fast pace! I've been back at school for 3 weeks now and just can't seem to get into the swing of things. There is just so much planning with this job! No, I'm not moaning about planning - in fact, perversely, I love it! But there is just so much of it! This term I have around 85 children to see every week, all of whom need individual targets for speaking and listening, reading and writing. On top of that I need to write medium term plans covering an 8 week half term for each group/individual child that I see. It really is an uphill struggle to get motivated. On an everyday basis I am coping - lessons are thoroughly prepared for everyone - but I just can't seem to knuckle down to getting it all down on paper.

This could have something to do with my home life... Things have not been good for a long, long time, but around 3 weeks ago (convenient coincidence with the start of the school year...) we decided to officially call it a day, and what started out as a fairly amicable split is rapidly turning sour. I am now sleeping in the log cabin and paying rent for the privilege (it's his house, which makes things doubly difficult). Mia still sleeps in the house, which is a blessing. There is very little by way of discussion now. It's all very sad.

So we've been frantically house-hunting. I think we must have seen EVERYTHING in the local area, but it's just so difficult. I want to make sure that we end up with something that fits us, that we'll be happy with for a very long time, and that needs no building work (I don't want to end up with any nasty surprises that will cost us in building fees...). I think we're coming to the end of it now - there seems to be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. But before we reach that glimmer of light things are likely to get a lot more difficult at home. The weather is turning and I can feel the beginnings of a cold from sleeping in the shed!

So, dear readers, I promise to have something new for you very shortly. The last batch of Language Common Core I Can statements is almost finished, then I intend to start on Maths. I also have lots of cool ideas for autumn and Hallowe'en stuff.

Until then, stay safe..