Well, here we are heading into week four of our forum. I do hope there are members out there reading the comments and hopefully this week will see some of you adding your own insights into our strange, new way of living.
It is astonishing how rapidly this becomes the new norm. Out on the pavements and in the supermarket I am becoming accustomed to giving people a wide berth as they treat me in the same manner. On a positive note though, it seems people I encounter while pounding the pavements are friendlier and smile and say hello.
If you are new to the forum and wish to read our other posts simply go to the line above this post and click on Welwyn Garden, there you will see all our posts and comments.
Enjoy the sunshine and keep positive.๐๐
Today as I write the rain is pouring down. This will be a relief I am sure to those keen gardeners who were anxious for their gardens. As we stay inside all those online videos beckon. I have recently discovered that Antonio Pappano is doing a series called House Music from the Royal Opera House. I have been watching the first one of that series in which he discusses and plays and sings a scene from Verdi's La Traviata. A real treat.
Another gem I have discovered is something called Silver Swans online which offers ballet classes for adults. This looks good fun but I have to admit to only looking at the website and not actually trying the steps yet! If the rain continues then I might actually have a go. I'll let you know.๐
The latest bulletin from The Arts Society features Doug Gillen, Doug was our lecturer in February which was our last lecture before lockdown. When I look back to that day, what a fantastic lecture it was, how friendly Doug was and his rapport with the members, I feel grateful that we at least had that chance to meet, chat and learn.
Looking forward however, I am sure that we will meet again and when we do we will really appreciate the opportunity to socialise, till then the forum will help to keep us in touch with each other.
I saw this delightful tree on a recent walk round my local park. It was a beautiful sight and lifted my spirits, so I thought I would share it this morning.
I began my teaching career working for what was then called the Inner London Teaching Authority. New teachers were allocated a school and spent the last six weeks of the summer term at the school before starting in earnest in September. This was an excellent plan and I have always thought of it as the best training for my future time in the classroom. Far better than the three previous years spent in college.During the six weeks my task was to spend time in each of the classrooms of the primary school and observe.
The school was in Stoke Newington and in 1970 it was an area with children from differing backgrounds and needs. Observing each teacher was a real eye-opener as their approaches varied, some were excellent others not so good.
One piece of advice which stuck in my mind and which I observed throughout my teaching career came one day from the headmaster. During the lunch hour I was in the classroom of a teacher whose approach verged on the chaotic. The headmaster walked in and seeing her scissors on the table tut-tutted and said he had told her many times to always put scissors away. This advice stayed with me and I always checked when leaving my classroom that my scissors were safely in a drawer.
As you read this, I am interested to know which early pieces of advice have remained with you throughout your career.
I have been watching some of the talks on the National Gallery website which are well produced and interesting. My intention is that as soon as Galleries open again I will make a beeline to the National Gallery and enjoy actually wandering round the rooms and seeing the paintings discussed on line. One of the most important things to have during this time is hope, so that is one of my hopes.
If you are reading this, perhaps you may like to share one of your hopes with us.
Today is once again my day to provide a poetry lesson for my two grandchildren. I've been told they prefer something "fun".
Well this made me smile so here it is:
The Hippopotamusโs Birthday
He has opened all his parcels
But the largest and the last;
His hope are at their highest
And his heart is beating fast.
O happy Hippopotamus,
What lovely gift is here?
He cuts the string. The world stands still.
A pair of boots appear!
O little Hippopotamus,
The sorrows of the small!
He dropped two tears to mingle
With the flowing Senegal;
And the โThank you that he uttered
Was the saddest ever heard
In the Senegambian jungle
From the mouth of beast or bird.
E.V.Rieu
I hope it raises a smile. Have a good week-end.