Tag Archives: primary school

Dear New Grad

I was recently reminded that it has been over a decade since I graduated teaching. I’m what you would call “young-minded” and always conveniently forget that I’m not 24 anymore. You think for someone who is about to have her third baby (yahoo!) that I would have started realising my age. So, I’m starting toContinue reading “Dear New Grad”

But seriously, what is Happening?

I once heard two people discussing how to eat a mango. One person was revealing with some enthusiasm to the other that they had just figured it out. “Just cut the cheeks off,” they exclaimed, “and then cut into them horizontally and vertically, Then pop the squares out!” I could tell by the way thatContinue reading “But seriously, what is Happening?”

Who is that talking while I’m reading?

Do you remember the excitement of the big book? I was lucky enough to have a teacher for many of my primary school years who adored books. And she read to my class often. I still remember the feeling of seeing the big book coming into the classroom. Carried in its over-sized bag. The pointer!Continue reading “Who is that talking while I’m reading?”

When is a noun a thing?

I got a message from a friend the other day, “Libby! How are you? We are having a staff room discussion and need your help! When you are describing a noun why is there a specific order of words? Like why would you say ‘the small blue ball’ rather than ‘the blue small ball?” Yes.Continue reading “When is a noun a thing?”

Are verbs just doing words?

If I had a dollar for every time I heard verbs being described as doing words… You get the idea. The traditional grammar language of verbs that classifies words is very restrictive. This has lead to many educators (and I will raise my hand as guilty) describe verbs in an overly simplistic way. So, isContinue reading “Are verbs just doing words?”

What is happening? Looking at clauses.

From the way my mother can edit writing and compose texts, you would never be able to guess that English isn’t her first language. She only heard English when she stepped into school as a 7-year-old. She didn’t receive specialist English lessons or tuition, instead, she had to struggle through not understanding a single wordContinue reading “What is happening? Looking at clauses.”