Phew, what a scorcher!

Woke up this morning to another wonderfully clear blue sky. It's been hot here since before the weekend and we're all trying to make the most of it. After all, this is Britain, and it might well snow next week - believe me, weirder things have been known to happen...

Anyway, I really didn't want to turn in to school today. I don't break for the summer until two weeks today... this time of year is pretty good though, as children and staff are winding down. Today I managed to see just four children...! I went to my second school to find that the children had gone swimming - early lunch for me... Then I turned up at my afternoon session to find that it was their sports day - early finish for me...! Next week is looking even more sparse. Oh well, at least I can enjoy the sun in my little garden. I thought I'd share a few pics of my little oasis. The garden is quite large, and I've been trying to create a Mediterranean corner with lots of vegetables, squash, tomatoes, cucumber and herbs. This is what it looks like so far.- (like the vintage look?)

Tomorrow is a strange day. I have an audition for "The Voice", but right now I'm thinking that I won't go...

Anyway, let's get back onto teacher things. Yesterday I finally got round to posting my Probability resource. I don't know how this one will go down because it doesn't seem to be a very popular subject, but if you haven't done so then you must try it out on your kiddos. I know it's not introduced until G6, but this packet is suitable for kids from G4 upwards and is a neat little introduction to the vocabulary and basic thinking. I've added a preview file to my TPT shop, so if you're interested in finding out more, then stop by and download it. If you like what you see the full package is also there for you - a complete lesson with all the resources you'll need to teach it.

A few weeks ago, after my first interview, I posted my Alliteration and Nonsense poetry packet to TPT but I honestly didn't have the heart to do anything more with it. But, like the Probability packet, it's such a shame to let it go to waste, and I wanted to share it with you guys. 

Kids just love playing with sounds and words. The kids I delivered this lesson to thought it was fantastic! The lesson is based around a nonsense poem called "The Ning Nang Nong" by Spike Milligan, who was a very funny British Comedian, sadly now passed on. Spike was one of The Goons - a group of guys who wrote their own hilarious material for "The Goon Show" (back in the days of BBC radio). If you've never heard of Spike I would urge you to get your hands on some of his stuff - it's absolutely hilarious.

The children really enjoyed listening to the nonsense poem (my rendition was in no way as good as Spike's...) and then having a go at their own. We had some fantastic examples of nonsense poetry. You can really go overboard with this one - there's no right or wrong way to do it, but a nonsense poem sounds fantastic with lots of alliteration. I have even included a sound file of the poet himself reading his nonsense poem.

The pack contains everything you will need to teach a full lesson on alliteration and nonsense poetry:

1.  lesson plan for a 40 minute session. The lesson plan is fully differentiated and includes objectives, outcomes, introduction, main teaching activities and extension opportunities.

2.  Powerpoint slideshow. Slides are detailed, animated, and can be used as prompts for your lesson. Also included are three slides that can be printed, laminated and placed on tables as a reminder for children of what their objectives and activities are.

3.  Copy of the poem "On the Ning Nang Nong"

4.  Alphabet poem planner

Alphabet poem writing template

6.  Sound file of the poet reading the poem.

I have uploaded a free preview to my TPT shop, so stop on by and take a look for yourself. If you like what you see, the full version is there for you too.

Do remember to let me know what you think and whether your kiddos enjoyed working with the resources. It's great to have feedback

What are the chances of that...?

Yesterday I promised you a peek at a new resource - true to my word here it is.

At the last interview I attended, I had to teach a 15 minute introduction to Probability (yes, you heard right - 15 minutes...! I mean, what can you usefully achieve in 15 minutes..). Anyway, as we all do, I prepared a lesson that went over and above what was required - "just in case". I didn't use it all, just the parts that could be considered as the introduction. But I thought that it was such a shame to waste it, so here it is.

Now, I know that probability isn't taught in the US until G6. But that's no excuse to deprive our kiddos. At a very young age they are aware of chance - it enters into everyday language that they are probably unaware they are even using. "I'll probably have burgers for lunch"; "I'm not sure if I'll be going to the game"; "I definitely won't be able to finish my homework tonight" - you get the drift.

Probability is also a great way to develop thinking skills in the classroom. Introduce Talk Maths and get them to reason their way through the problems with a partner or team. It's a real lightbulb moment - both for them as they work their way through the game of chance, and for me as a teacher when I see how thoroughly engrossed they are in their deliberations.

So why wait until G6? Give your kiddos a headstart by introducing probability and chance in G5 or even G4. Believe me, they'll handle it. With this packet children don't need any prior knowledge, so you can use it whenever you like - as a time filler at the end of term, as part of your thinking skills agenda, or just whenever. It contains everything you need to teach a stand alone lesson - fully differentiated lesson plan (in Word so you can adapt it to suit your needs), colourful, easy to understand slideshow, activities and resources, and even a homework sheet! Just print and you're good to go. Click on the thumbnail for more info. I'll be posting a short preview in a day or two.

And yes, the chances of it being another sweltering day tomorrow are - certain...! Allelujah!