There was a burst of stunning sunlight this evening after a rather overcast day.
The pictures don't do it justice as they are SOOC but the light was all lime and lemon.
The last shot was taken directly into the sun with dramatic effect as the iris shut down to reveal the cloud bank and the last of the afternoon's sun streaming through.
All in all a welcome break from exam writing, washing and supervising the neighbourhood 'lads' as they joined Small Boy in the trail from X Box to football to bike riding to lego to 'Starwars' DVDs..... leaving everything in their wake, of course.This is the last week of term before a two week break. Tension has been running high as exam revision and report writing takes its toll on staff and students alike. Tensions have erupted in the playground, unusual for our place, and I for one, was reduced to tears of desperation after a class as I explained to my friend "I just don't know how to motivate them. They don't care at all about exams; they aren't taking them seriously and all my efforts at teaching revision strategies fall on passively resistant ears."
The experience has motivated me to speak to the Principal and ask the question, why are we making these kids, the real strugglers , do exams? What is the point? He was incredibly supportive and eventually said he would be open to a different model for these kids, in consultation, as I suggested, with the parents. I wondered about a two week 'project' for them which would form some of their semester grade; something practical and relevant. So maybe something good will come out of my sense of despondency.
Once the holidays are here I will be back to my blog reading with relish. I apologise for my lack of visits to some of my favourite places. I'm not even going to link to you here (as I had intended) because it would mean a quick peek at things which would lead to a longer look which would lead to...... I have no internal monitoring mechanisms. Ask my liver and my waistline......
So happy Best Shot Monday to everyone. Enjoy browsing the wonderful photography at
Mother May I, even if I can't!!!!
9 comments:
I would love to see where you live. Looks like you have such wonderful views.
It's kind of scary reading how discouraged you are about the kids. You are in such a hard position. But you hit it right on- how do you motivate them? And if they do the work, is it even up to standards? I got two degrees in teaching and ultimately decided not to teach. I don't know if I could do it these days.
Um, friend...you've left a comment on most of my recent posts. Shouldn't you be writing your exams????
I have lots to say about motivation, low achievers, strugglers, etc, etc, etc. Tonight is not the night for me to get started. Perhaps I will e-mail you tomorrow.
Your work is NOT in vain, that I know.
Much love across a few big bodies of water and several continents...
Love,
Natalie
eeerrrrrrr SPRUNG!!!! I'm just going off to write now Natalie :-D
Good lord those are some gorgeous views! The light is breathtaking.
I think that you might just live in one of the most beautiful places on earth...your photos are always so lovely! These are great, but the last one is definitely my favorite. It's just stunning!
I think that the idea of a project instead of exams for your students sounds like a great idea -- what a fantastic suggestion! I hope it works out for you...it sounds like everyone could come out ahead with that...
Just gorgeous colors, and I love the way you described them, all "lemon & lime" - beautiful.
Hang in there at work! :)
Beautiful shots!! They are just stunning.
Good for you for trying to be a voice for these kids and trying to find other options for them!!
Oh wow! Stunning!
Your photos are just breathtakingly lovely...the view and the light- so nice! I felt such sympathy reading this post-regarding school when you spoke of being frustrated to the point of tears- how many times have I been there?! I agree with Nat- YOUR work is so NOT in vain. Just look at what good you will do your students when they get to show what they know on a project instead of exams...what a GREAT idea. I have told you before that I collaborate with a spec. ed teacher, and we often dream up projects like this for everyone, not just the special needs group. My own daughter was a regular ed kid and could not manage to show the full extent of what she knew on any exam to save her life! A project of some sort would be so much better for them...
The worst part of what you describe is the apathy...I struggle so to conquer that in my students as well, and sometimes when I think that I have, I worry that I am just fooling myself. Kids around the globe these days are so apathetic to everything. Well, I hope and pray that things get better for you. And then, there is always a break soon, isn't there????
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