Keeping fit & healthy

Hi again - two blog entries in one day, I'm not sure I'll keep that pace up!  For anyone reading the comments from my earlier post, you will realise that technology succeeded in baffling me, as per usual, having made 2 very similar responses - ooops :-o

 

I've come back from an hour of exercising in the gym - not something I always enjoy, I prefer to be outside for exercise, but when it's pouring down, needs must.  Before you make the mistake of thinking that I'm a fitness freak, think again - I need to lose a few pounds and haven't done regular exercise for a few years now - but I knew that I had to start doing something to help with my health and energy levels.  One of things about teaching is that you come into contact with so many germs on a daily basis, that if you are even slightly run down, you will pick up everything - especially if you are in a new school (whole load of new germs to test your immune system!) 

 

I must admit that I've definitely had more energy since I started exercising 2 or 3 times a week - but it's really hard to get motivated after spending all day on your feet - teaching is such an exhausting job - for those who've never tried standing in front of 30 teenagers at a time for 5 hours a day really should have a go, just to see how much the adrenaline gets pumping and how you never have a chance to switch off, even for a second. 

 

Another big debate amongst teachers is how much of a martyr you should be if you are ill.  You will always get those teachers who will come in even if they are on death's doorstep with the flu, because no-one else can cover their lessons.  Then you get those who will be off at the first sniffle.  I like to think I'm somewhere in between - because all you're doing is spreading the germs around to other colleagues - and at the same time it is very hard to deal with any issues or deliver an even slightly energetic lesson, that it is better to take a day or two off and come back fully better.  We all tend to come back too soon as well, because after a couple of days you start to run out of ideas to provide for cover lessons and it is in fact easier to go in yourself and teach from the book.  (this is particularly the case for MFL (modern foreign languages) which is my subject - as it is impossible for non-experts to even attempt to teach it - so the cover work has to be as simple as possible. 

 

Another question I ask myself, when I'm calling in ill with a migraine (the kind that makes you unable to deal with light, sound or movement and you have a tendency to throw up) is what other job is there where you are expected to get up off your sick bed and decide on lesson plans for the day which someone else can deliver!?!

 

Ah well - if I keep up the new healthy living programme, I will hopefully avoid the germs and then there will be no need to worry about what lessons to send in by e-mail.  Although that's probably the kiss of death now and this time next week I'll be sniffling and coughing with the best of them!

 

 

blogs away!

Ok - here goes, my first blog entry! I'm a 'virgin' at blogging, but having read Frank Chalk's excellent book, based on his blog entries, I think it's a great way to communicate, let off steam, share ideas etc!

Like Frank, I too am a teacher - although luckily I am slightly more fortunate in my choice of school and area. That's not to say we don't have our share of daily traumas, caused by the kids (sorry 'students') but I do think that bureaucracy is killing creativity in teachers and not allowing us to just get on and do the job. Talk about 'big brother' watching you - you have to back up all your teaching and results and be ready to defend yourself to all and sundry -usually to those who haven't actually been in a classroom (and I do mean in the capacity of teacher!) for years. In fact, knowing that we are 4 weeks into term, and having spent most of my time getting to know my new groups, preparing lessons on the IWB (interactive white board, to those not in teaching), marking books and organising coursework writing/marking, I am now being hassled to get various data and diagrams together, which supposedly inform my teaching and help me to teach to individual students - by that I mean that, even in a class of 32+ students, of complete mixed ability, I am meant to know what each child's individual needs are and to address them. Now I ask how that it humanly possible, especially when at least half of these 32 14year olds are continually pushing the behaviour boundaries (i.e. being naughty - what is called 'low level' disruption - talking, chewing gum, shouting out, writing notes etc) - to deal with these issues and actually teach a decent lesson to most of the class is a challenge enough, especially in the last lesson of the day - the dreaded period 5 (especially on a Friday!)
Well - I will continue to add to this blog, but am just trying it out for the moment - if anyone wants to add comments, please do, as it would be nice to have confirmation that I'm not alone in my thoughts!