Thank heavens for 2 week halfterms, time to recover, do something for me and prep. Not necessarily in that order. Had quick 4 day trip to London and York last week, fun but tiring. Could never have done that if I was back at work this week.

Been a heck of a 7 weeks. Not the best ever. But a straight after school beer , welcome to halfterm in the sunshine, was lovely.

About time too. Ursula von der Leyen calls for suspension of EU trade with Israel www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

Starmer must spend his weekends pulling splinters out of his arse.

Not a bad spot for teachers pre rentree but feel someteam building activities may appear 😐

The students at my school (France) don't wear uniforms. That doesn't mean that we don't have police what they do wear. It also results in students finding their own 'uniforms'.

Hoping that this little piece of paper will change my life. 🤞Read an amazing personal blog entry last week by David Didau 👏👏👏which really resonated and triggered me to (try and ) do something. Had a real epiphany moment and woke up feeling more positive than I have all summer.

Seeing news of another old building going up in flames , I was reminded of Dowles Manor Bewdley. Dowles was one of the places we would go to , reluctantly in my case, on sunday family afternoon walks. However,I can never remember seeing Dowles Manor.

And the cathedral which is atually quite small.but v nicr

Diving into Churches at Rennes to keep out of heat.

Diving into Churches at Rennes to keep out of heat

Just seen a UK university that I had not previously ever heard of. On website they have a "what type of learner are you?" quiz that reveals "we all have our own,unique way of learning" 🙄🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ The references they cite are, frankly unbelievable.

Just seen a UK university that I had not previously ever heard of. On website they have a "what type of learner are you?" quiz that reveals "we all have our own,unique way of learning" 🙄🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ The references they cite are, frankly unbelievable.

Absolutely nails it again 👌👏👏👏👏https://youtube.com/shorts/jhrYc6r_Phk?si=Efqm2_dAUq5k_0YC Before I was your mother I was a woman 😂

So while the rest of France sizzles, this was my sky at 11h25 today. Not complaining too much as I hate heat, but c'mon.

Early morning on the dunes, hundreds of webs glistening

Visited Kerfautas Cemetary, Brest yesterday. So rich in history.Amongst the Commonwealth Graves area I saw one belonging to a young Jamaican. Died in June 1917 aged 17.

How had I had never ever heard of Terry Reid before now? The River, what a song.

Enfin! Found what I was after :) Going to sell this idea to parents of my first IGCSE Business Studies cohort. Don't think it will be easy (especially with my French) but it's the way I am going to go. 💪

Going out of my comfort zone now. But Avi Loeb, Harvard Professor. How can anyone take him seriously? Other than the DM

I often use drama in my History lessons. It is an excellent way of allowing students to construct their own understanding and gets them to speak English in a low stakes environment, giving students an entry into the theme. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Working on creating lessons based on the super new book Connected Worlds c 1000 -c1600 by @counsellc.bsky.social et al. Lessons Intended for equiv yr 8, French students so this might work for EAL. Possibly too ambitious as I have not taught these students before so no idea of their level but 💪

"Test, test, test,revise". I can't remember where I saw this,thinking it might have been @didau.bsky.social . Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

f24.my/BKoD Excellent news. But much more is needed

Started using praktika AI language app last week, and I am really enjoying it. Best thing I've tried. 7 day free trial and now signed up for 3 months.

I completed this on Monday. It was really informative. Also made me think about issues I had not given much thought to previously.

We've released training materials, developed with Chiltern Learning Trust and DfE, to help teachers explore the potential, as well as the risks and responsibilities of using AI. Access free AI training and optional certification here:https://chartered.pulse.ly/fpokzcj5xr #AIinEducation

Started building a bank of questions at #carousellearning for Business Studies Cambridge IGCSE ( a subject I am new to). Happy to share them, would also be happy to have some feedback

bbc.com/news/article... I don't mind having these types of conversations,they are not unique to the UK . But it quickly becomes evident that the focus is less on on education and more on the economy/ its a p.i.t a for parents/ it's unfair....

Sostrene grene is like catnip for this teacher. More irresistible stationery and pens that I didn't think I needed. I now have a planner to plan my planner!🙄

My visit a different restaurant once a week during the holidays started well today. Tiny little place in Brest, 3 courses. 2 glasses of bio chardonnay and coffee. = 55€ for the two of us. The bar has been set high.

Trying a few 0% beers ( in between the real stuff) ..So far Grimbergen 00 is not for me at all. Leffe rouge, nice and fruity. Bavaria IPA which is the cheapest and by far the best.

How to interleave your teaching: https://www.innerdrive.co.uk/blog/interleave-your-teaching/

Using drawing and visuals is a high impact, research-informed strategy to support learning and retention. It involves three related cognitive processes that each create an interconnected memory trace: 1️⃣Cognitive elaboration = thinking about the information

daviddidau.substack.com/p/is-there-a... This 100%. I have ummed and arrhed over whether to get mini whiteboards. Are they another fad? Will they be more trouble than they are worth ? However, my reasons for getting them are not to create a fun child centred universe. No, it's much more mundane.

Minute Cryptic - 13 July, 2025 "Kart redesigned to limit carbon footprint" (5) 🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣 I scored: 2 under par www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s... Finally starting to get the hang of these

Just purchased some mini whiteboards for use with one class from September. Looking forward to seeing if they live up to the hype . Only concern at the moment is how long it will take to get the students to use them appropriately.

Minute Cryptic - 12 July, 2025 "Secretly ditch essay for game with mates?" (5) 🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣 I scored: 2 under par www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...

Asked Chat gpt to make me an infographic 🙄 ( I had a really good one somewhere but can't find it)

📚 Summer or fall — Reading Reconsidered has you covered! Backed by the Science of Reading, flexible & joy-filled. 💬 Educators are seeing big gains in student confidence, fluency, & reading achievement. 🛒Purchase units here: teachlikeachampion.org/reading-reco... #edusky #tlac #scienceofreading

Having a North facing living room comes into its own this time of year.

Tomorrow she’ll be performing at The Globe in London. From 3500 entrants to @poetrybyheart.bsky.social Good luck!! @voice21oracy.bsky.social @worcesternews.bsky.social

I solved drwilkinsonsci's Minute Cryptic member clue! Frank Ocean photos regularly retouched. (6) Hints: 1, Letters revealed: 0 www.minutecryptic.com/custom/3adbd...

Minute Cryptic - 5 July, 2025 "Murder ingredient found in microwave?" (4) 🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣 I scored: 2 under par www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...

Here ( local to me) No grassvergers are cut for several months and hedges cannot be cut at certain times. Wild flowers might not be deliberately planted, but areas are left wild where possible to encourage the insects.

Sadly reminded of this. Sadly reminded of people I thought better of. Sadly reminded of how Britain has declined faster and become disunited because of it(though not just it) If nothing else, I am glad other nations have learned from the brexit shit show.

9 years ago tonight, I was in the Blackheath Army Cadet centre watching the votes come in ... as a Remain observer in the EU referendum. Few nights in my life have ever been so utterly depressing and I don't think I've ever really looked at my country or fellow citizens in quite the same way.

I used to go as brown as a berry in the sun as a kid. 30 mins today under a parasol and my one arm is v pink. Ouch!

Not had a bad week , but just one of those weeks when the great Jacques Brel fits the mood. youtu.be/e0esAGxzP6Y?...