maths and school reports

Got quite involved with maths this morning – Dan was doing perimeter and area and Charlotte symmetry. Charlotte then went off to work on a story she is writing and Daniel is still looking up all sorts of political stuff on the internet. Seems to be doing lots of sums and working out percentages of votes. Bringing in this political thing to our lunchtimes, I took out an audiobook version of Sue Townsend’s ‘Number Ten‘ from the library. I’d forgotton some aspects of it and kept having to pause the tape to explain things from the Eucharist to the Jack Sprat poem – all very educational. They do seem to be finding it funny especially poor Edward Clare’s unfortunate habit when he goes to the toilet! Wonder if Tony Blair has read the book – love Sue Townsend.The afternoon has been really mild and sunny for our walk/wade. Certainly going through a lot of trousers with this latest interest. Daniel has found quite a few bits of old pottery in the river, must be from the old (ruined) house nearby.

Went back and read through the school inspectors report, more objectively this time (**this relates to old stuff, not included here about school kids used to attend). Was actually quite impressed with how much they had picked up on during their short visit. Tallies with some of my own observations of that school: teachers not using ICT properly throughout the curriculum, not enough learning through play for the younger children, older ones not understanding decimals (both my kids had a gap there – filled in now). Still think it’s awful how all these things are mentioned in the plans for improvement but the fact that a ‘significant minority’ reported bullying is not seen as a problem. Sign of the times We have this huge global, supposed war on ‘terror’ at a huge cost in both financial terms and lives, but the very real terror in our playgrounds is ignored.

Scotland st. School Museum, Glasgow

Well off to take in yesterdays almost-dry washing and make pasta now (this is becoming a bit mundane and boring isn’t it? Terror one minute, domesticity the next) – chess plans for this evening. Charlotte has been very impressed with the book she took from the library – it shows all sorts of historical and ethnic chess sets – beautiful.

Related posts: