Comments on: Ammunition http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/ A Blog About Teaching in Tough Schools in the UK Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:13:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Mrs. Bluebird http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-72 Mrs. Bluebird Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:09:08 +0000 http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-72 Ah, apparently the every-popular "hornets" haven't made it to the U.K...my students don't need much paper to create a throwing object. They simply take what they have, even if it's only half a sheet of notebook paper, and fold it into a triangular shape over and over again until it's about 2 cm on each side...these fly wonderfully, especially if one can get a hold of rubber bands to shoot them even further. As for staples, we've had a few miscreants take them, straighten them out, and use them as projectiles blown out of a click pencil. Ah, apparently the every-popular “hornets” haven’t made it to the U.K…my students don’t need much paper to create a throwing object. They simply take what they have, even if it’s only half a sheet of notebook paper, and fold it into a triangular shape over and over again until it’s about 2 cm on each side…these fly wonderfully, especially if one can get a hold of rubber bands to shoot them even further. As for staples, we’ve had a few miscreants take them, straighten them out, and use them as projectiles blown out of a click pencil.

]]> By: Mathew http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-71 Mathew Wed, 30 Jan 2008 01:38:03 +0000 http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-71 Thank you for participating in the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/366slb" rel="nofollow">Carnival of Education</a>. Thank you for participating in the Carnival of Education.

]]> By: Lilyofthefield http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-69 Lilyofthefield Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:20:48 +0000 http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-69 The most pertinent point you make is that of behaviour like this appearing trivial, or even mythical, to a teacher who has never taught in what you call a tough school, and I call a hellhole. Then there's always the unspoken suggestion that you are only teaching in a hellhole because nobody else will have you. The most pertinent point you make is that of behaviour like this appearing trivial, or even mythical, to a teacher who has never taught in what you call a tough school, and I call a hellhole. Then there’s always the unspoken suggestion that you are only teaching in a hellhole because nobody else will have you.

]]> By: Rosie http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-65 Rosie Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:14:13 +0000 http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-65 On the subject of facetiousness, I think it goes with the territory. I was a teacher myself, once, thirty years ago, but I've almost made a full recovery. Unfortunately, like malaria, the education disease never really goes away. ;) On the subject of facetiousness, I think it goes with the territory. I was a teacher myself, once, thirty years ago, but I’ve almost made a full recovery. Unfortunately, like malaria, the education disease never really goes away. ;)

]]> By: Chanman http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-64 Chanman Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:28:19 +0000 http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-64 I once made the mistake of using dried navy beans as Bingo markers when we played that game to review for a test. Some boys who share a lot of classes together kept some of the beans and threw them in the class AFTER mine. I got a phone call from that teacher, asking me if I used dried beans last period. That particular period has not played Bingo since, and of course the class complains that "we never do anything fun". Gee, I wonder why? I once made the mistake of using dried navy beans as Bingo markers when we played that game to review for a test. Some boys who share a lot of classes together kept some of the beans and threw them in the class AFTER mine. I got a phone call from that teacher, asking me if I used dried beans last period.

That particular period has not played Bingo since, and of course the class complains that “we never do anything fun”. Gee, I wonder why?

]]> By: oldandrew http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-62 oldandrew Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:43:46 +0000 http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-62 "But I am concerned about a teacher who can’t spell ’stationery’!" One of these days somebody will manage to correct a spelling mistake without making a facetious comment in the process! “But I am concerned about a teacher who can’t spell ’stationery’!”

One of these days somebody will manage to correct a spelling mistake without making a facetious comment in the process!

]]> By: Sam http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-60 Sam Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:10:29 +0000 http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-60 Thank you 'OldAndrew' for raising this topic. It does sound as if you have experience of working in one of our 'higher end' great British state schools, judging by your examples of items that are thrown from one end of a room filled with our country's next great professionals (more commonly known as a under-funded, vandalised and generally dirty classroom). I specialise(!) in EBD 'schools'/PRUs and make my best attempts to encourage KS2/3 ferals to successfully put a non-sharp object (blunt pencil) in their hands in order for them to have a go at independently writing their name. Following my unreasonable demand being carried out, pupils make an executive decision to take a break from heavy learning by throwing whatever objects are close to hand (for the obese, the object needs to be within arms length). Pencils, pens, blu-tack etc. thrown would indicate to me that an outstanding lesson had taken place. Objects such as scissors, craft knives, hole punches, chairs, tables, lever arch files and smaller pupils (not an exhaustive list) are not so easy to make out that you haven't noticed. When people or windows are broken as a result, I have to pretend to give a damn by maybe calling on my 'walkie-talkie' for our security patrol to move the offending (& offensive) 'learners'. If I'm very lucky, it will be the entire group, which leaves the rest of the day for me to clear up the mess and then engage in PPA related activities (e.g. calling my G.P to arrange for the anti-depressants to be doubled up/selling the idea to the surgery of being prescribed valium). Ring any bells with anyone? Thank you ‘OldAndrew’ for raising this topic. It does sound as if you have experience of working in one of our ‘higher end’ great British state schools, judging by your examples of items that are thrown from one end of a room filled with our country’s next great professionals (more commonly known as a under-funded, vandalised and generally dirty classroom). I specialise(!) in EBD ’schools’/PRUs and make my best attempts to encourage KS2/3 ferals to successfully put a non-sharp object (blunt pencil) in their hands in order for them to have a go at independently writing their name. Following my unreasonable demand being carried out, pupils make an executive decision to take a break from heavy learning by throwing whatever objects are close to hand (for the obese, the object needs to be within arms length). Pencils, pens, blu-tack etc. thrown would indicate to me that an outstanding lesson had taken place. Objects such as scissors, craft knives, hole punches, chairs, tables, lever arch files and smaller pupils (not an exhaustive list) are not so easy to make out that you haven’t noticed. When people or windows are broken as a result, I have to pretend to give a damn by maybe calling on my ‘walkie-talkie’ for our security patrol to move the offending (& offensive) ‘learners’. If I’m very lucky, it will be the entire group, which leaves the rest of the day for me to clear up the mess and then engage in PPA related activities (e.g. calling my G.P to arrange for the anti-depressants to be doubled up/selling the idea to the surgery of being prescribed valium).

Ring any bells with anyone?

]]> By: Rosie http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-59 Rosie Sat, 26 Jan 2008 12:00:25 +0000 http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-59 An enjoyable and pertinent article. But I am concerned about a teacher who can't spell 'stationery'! Stay behind after class, oldandrew, and write it out correctly twenty times! An enjoyable and pertinent article.

But I am concerned about a teacher who can’t spell ’stationery’! Stay behind after class, oldandrew, and write it out correctly twenty times!

]]> By: Angela http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-58 Angela Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:35:55 +0000 http://oldandrew.edublogs.org/2008/01/26/ammunition/#comment-58 You forgot one of the favourite targets of this type of pupil.....the teacher! You forgot one of the favourite targets of this type of pupil…..the teacher!

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