Rain!

So...we often are promised rain by the weather forecast and mostly we are left disappointed but the forecast for yesterday was right. After weeks of dry weather we finally got some rain...and just after the shed roof was completed.It started about 1.00 pm but there were only showers yesterday afternoon but in the evening there was thunder and lightning and heavier downpours.It rained quite a lot in the night and we were woken by a 'crash' about midnight when one of the pictures on the wall fell off...it's screw fastening loosened by water trickling down the inside of the wall in the corner.There was just over 24 mls in the rain gauge this morning and the temporary wheelie bin Will had placed to collect rainwater off the new shed was full to overflowing. I reckon we could probably have filled three. We need to get those water tanks quick.The dam is looking higher than it was though still not as high as it has been. We could do with so much more but are thankful for what we got. 

Roofer.

So...while I was working today Will fastened on the roof of our shed...just in time!

Metalinguistic Awareness and Subitising!

So...today I was back in the Prep (Reception ) class that was my first foray into supply teaching back in February.The class teacher was going on a course at the school but she had sent me the planning the night before and was there in the morning to talk me through it.It was all pretty straightforward but I wasn't sure what the PMAP  work was so asked about that."Oh that's our Prep Metalinguistic Awareness Programme" said the class teacher."You are kidding me, " I said.She wasn't.She explained my activity even if I didn't understand it's overarching title. I was making Pterodactyl nests with sticks. The children got a stick to add to the nest if they could think of a word that rhymed with another word picked randomly."I've had to take the word 'duck' out of the pile," said the class teacher."In maths we have been subitising" said the class teacher. "Do you know what subitising is?"I had to admit I didn't." I had one parent come into me and say you've made that word up haven't you? But I haven't" said the class teacher. "Subitising is when you look at a group of things and know how many there are without having to count them."I have to say, despite all the metalinguistic awareness and subitising, the day went very smoothly and I think I almost enjoyed it. J, Z and little Sh were still there but oh, how they have changed. Z especially was a different boy and not a bit of trouble, J was still J and reminded me very much of Fidget and as for little Sh, well he was hardly a little Sh anymore and more  of a big Sh.There was a new girl, V who had just started this week. I couldn't understand a word she was saying as it was complete gobbledegook but surmised from her expression and the general nature of the conversation what she was saying."Tanadotollet?" ... was of course, "May I please relieve myself in the appropriate facilities?"I asked them all if they thought my hair had grown since I last saw them but they didn't think it had.I was out in the Bear Garden at lunchtime again, on duty. It actually started to rain but only a few spots. One girl came up to me in a flowing yellow rain cape."I'm pretending to be Santa," she said."Well, Santa," I said, " you look more like a big banana in that cape."A bit later Santa came up to me again. She was crying. J in my class had pushed her over.I found J and lead him to Santa."You've upset Santa!" I said."Sorry," he said sheepishly."I don't think that is good enough, " I said, " I think you should give her a hug."He hugged her."Would you like him to marry you now?" I asked Santa.I was surprised that she tearfully nodded."Will you marry Santa?" I asked J.He shook his head."Oh no!" I said, " Now you've upset Santa again."The day seemed to go a lot quicker than the last time and before I knew it it was the end of the day.I told them I thought I would have been back before now but their teacher was obviously far too healthy."Next time she's looking a bit peaky" I said, " say to her have a day off and call Mr Allen. Will you do that?"They said they would."Bi...Amtudoundabus" said V at the door.So I smiled and sent her off on the bus.Heck! I hope that's what she said.

A hot tin roof...no cat.

So...after the cheese maker returned we put the tin up for the shed roof. It is in place but not yet secured. Hopefully Will will start fixing it in tomorrow as, for once, he is not working on a Thursday. I, however, am back at the 'chalk face' for a day in the Prep class I did my first days supply in.

Busy.

So...we have had two busy days. Yesterday Will planted out some bamboo plants while I cleared some more cassinia from the garden fringes. Then we spent the afternoon clearing another garden section of fallen trees and dead wood. We went and got chinese takeaway for in the evening for  dinner.Today I nipped into Stanthorpe to get the washing done and then we have been up and down the hill collecting the tin which Dave next door has given us for the roof of our shed.Hopefully we will have the roof on by the end of the weekend.