Finding time for Mindfulness....

It has always been an area I have found interesting to try out in the classroom but for many reasons (probably excuses really) I have never actually implemented it as part of our routine in the classroom. From being too busy with such a varied curriculum to having a split class it isn't easy to find that extra 5 minutes a day. In fact, it can be hard to even find 5 minutes in the week! However this year, I am going to try to incorporate mindfulness into our daily routine particularly as it will be well suited to my students this year.

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Last year, our school had a copy of the following CD and many teachers loved it and felt it had a real calming effect on the children.

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Even better it is now available as Gaeilge aswell. That is where I hope to start this year! If budgets are limited there are a huge amount of mindfulness resources on the internet that you can also use. (The Mindfulness Matters resources are also cheaper if you chose to download them rather than purchase a hard copy.)

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If you know of any other resources that have been tried and tested leave a comment below to help get us started.

All things Irish.... (September Thematic Planning)

Each month I choose a theme to teach the children. I find that it really helps me with time management, learning becomes more meaningful and connected for the children and it gives you time to explore a topic in depth.

For September, I usually choose a theme relating to Ireland. This year is fits in even better as the Rugby World Cup is on!

I have uploaded an outline of my thematic planning for free here is you want to download it. 

Here is a brief outline of ways to integrate 'All Things Irish' (or choose another suitable heading) for your class.

English

• Study an Irish poet (e.g. The Lake Isle of Inisfree by W.B. Yeats)
• Read an excerpt from 'Under the Hawthorn Tree' by Marita Conlon McKenna (It has excerpts in the Wonderland series if anyone uses these text books)
• Write a set of interview questions for an Irish author/sportsperson

Gaeilge

• Mé Féin
• learn words to Amhrán na bhFiann
• Caitheamh Aimsire (a perfect time to do more about All-Ireland Final & Rugby World Cup)

History

• Irish Myths & Legends (Poolbeg has some lovely versions available here)

• History of the GAA (Download a useful booklet here)
• History of your locality

Geography

• Learn about Irish counties, rivers, lakes & mountains (Ask About Ireland Website)
• Learn about your locality

Science

• Learn about my Skeleton

Music

• Learn Amhrán na bhFiann
• Learn tin whistle notes to Amhrán na bhFiann
• Learn Ireland's Call

Drama

Depending on the SESE you do, it could be linked to

• Irish myths & Legends
• GAA match commentary

Art

• Draw your impression of the Lake Isle of Inisfree using pastels
• Self Portrait (could use Picasso as stimulus although not Irish!)
• Design a Class or County Jersey (Download the template here)
• Make a clay model of an Irish landmark/symbol (e.g. Dublin Spire)
• Create a wall frieze of an Irish Legend 

PE

Now would be a great time to introduce the children to Touch Rugby or develop their hurling/Gaelic Football skills

Project Work

• Research an Irish County
• All Ireland Final Project Work
• Research an inspirational Irish player (hurling/football/rugby etc.)
• World Cup Project by A Crucial Week

Feel free to comment more ideas below!

First Day Back to School Activities

We all have different routines for our first day back to school. Some like to get straight into a routine with the children while others like to settle in without the textbooks or too much formal teaching.  Either way, I have listed some activities for the first day back to school that can be used for different subjects.

1.Rules (SPHE)
I always incorporate our class rules into an SPHE lesson in the first week. You made decide to come up with class rules together or have them ready previously. It's a good way to set clear expectations for the children.

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2. Summer Memories (Art/English Writing & Oral Language/Gaeilge)
This is a nice activity that allows the children to discuss their summer holidays. Depending on the level you teach it can be differentiated with a range of worksheets available. A senior class may be able to do it in Irish. Find it here

3. Get to know your students activity (link)
I always use this on the first day as it gives me an indication of each child's interests, helping me to get to know them better. Download one for free here

4. Take a class photo

When everyone is looking smart in their new uniforms/clothes, today is a good day to get a class photo for your class blog or the door of your classroom.

Say Cheese!

5. Beginning of Year Prayer (Religious Education)
Depending on the type of school you work in, you may decide to ask each child to write their own Beginning of Year Prayer.  If your school is not affiliated to a Religion, you could do a Hopes & Aspirations Paragraph instead.

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6. Allocate class jobs (SPHE)
I always delegate jobs to the children (which we usually change weekly). Start as you mean to go on by assigning jobs to the children. With older children, you could ask them to 'apply' for jobs by completing a form or letter of application.
This is a nice editable jobs list.
Classroom jobs

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7. Interview their partner (English Oral Language/Gaeilge)
If the children don't know each other, this is a good icebreaker to learn more about their classmates. You could play musical chairs to meet more of their new classmates. If they already know each other, ask the children to do the interview in Irish or another language. This is also a good opportunity for you to assess their ability informally.


8. We all fit in display (Art) 
This is a lovely First Day Back activity, allowing you to get to know the children and create a class display at the same time! Find the banners and jigsaw pieces on http://displays.tpet.co.uk/

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9. Maths
Mental Maths is a nice way to engage the children again. It also helps to identify areas that you need to revise over the first few weeks.

10. Circle Time (Drama)

A good way to allow the children to introduce themselves to you and the other pupils and to make everyone feel comfortable and settled. It could be simple clapping games, Chinese whispers or Follow the Leader action games.

11. Poetry (English/Oral language)

I came across this cute poem on Pinterest!

12. Read a Book
Who doesn't like to listen to their teacher read to them (good habit to start on the first day anyways!)? Last year, I read 'The Dot' to my class. You can read more about the boo and related activities in another post by clicking here.

Feel free to add some more ideas below!

Find other Back to School Posts here:

(An Actual) Back to School Checklist!

Printable Freebies for First Day Back to School

The Back to School 'Survival' Checklist for Teachers

(An Actual) Back to School Checklist!

It's a time of year when the to-do lists start to grow and it can be difficult to get back into school mode. This checklist below might make it that bit easier to start organising a few bits for September.

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1. Folders/Dividers

I always try to have my folders (not usually with much in them!) ready before the school year begins. Generally, I have a Planning Folder, Assessment Folder and a General Class file one too. I have a free set of dividers available in my TpT store.

Folder Headings

2. Timetable

While sometimes it can be difficult to have a finalised timetable (until you find out P.E. times, times when support teachers may be coming into your class or taking children out), it is useful to have a rough timetable ready before returning.

3. Your Desk

My desk usually doesn't stay clean for very long, but heading back is always a good time to get it organised/cleared out.  I always keep a copy of my timetable and a jar for pens/stampers on it.
I also have a tray to store sheet & handouts we are currently working on.
These are some cute storage boxes I purchased in Tiger for my desk.

4. Bulletin Boards/Classroom Labels

I usually don't put up too much before the school year starts but there are some things that will stay up for the whole year, such as labels, your name on the door, classroom rules etc.
Even having them downloaded and ready to print is useful.

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For Irish teachers, I have a Gaeilge version of classroom signs available here.

5. Classroom Organisation

Have you got enough chairs/tables in your room? Are they organised in groups/rows? I often change the table arrangement as the year progresses as it often depends on the particular class and the age group.


I have set up a back to School section of my TpT store which might have some useful rewards, posters and activities to start off the new year! :)

Back to School Resources

Find other Back to School Posts here:

First Day Back to School Activities

  

The Back to School 'Survival' Checklist for Teachers

Printable Freebies for First Day Back to School

The Back to School 'Survival' Checklist for Teachers

1. Timetable bathroom breaks

Gone is the luxury of popping into the loo when you need to. You have 30 seconds to get to the bathroom before you photocopy those handouts, make a coffee and get back to class before the bell goes! (If you are super fast, you might even get a quick bite of your lunch...)

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2. 'Teacher Clothes' make a comeback

It's time to root out the 'Yard Duty' coat and find all the 'teachery' clothes that have been thrown to the back of your wardrobe for the last few months. Gone are the comfy PJ's, slippers and tracksuits.

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3. Alarm Clock

Unfortunately, it's time to find and reset the dreaded alarm clock, adding in 5 or 6 extra wake up calls for the first day back for fear of sleeping in (if you manage to sleep at all!).

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4. Lunchtime

Lunch doesn't seem as exciting as it did during the summer. The task of trying to find a lunchbox and lid that match from the mountain of lunchboxes in your cupboard begins.  When the enthusiasm of creating interesting lunched wears off, you probably won't want to see a sandwich for the rest of the term!  On the plus side, heading out for lunch at the weekend becomes a novelty again!

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5. Attempt to reset your body clock

Gone are the boxset binges on Netflix into the early hours and morning lie ins. It's time to attempt to go to bed early...shouldn't be a problem after the first day back!

6. Stock up on red pens

To feel somewhat organised and ready for the new year, bundles of red pens are a necessity! By the end of the first week, you'll be lucky if most of them haven't disappeared from your desk.

7. Shopping List

Returning to school means you need to be organised. Here's a help with your weekly shopping list: wine, chocolate, laminating pouches, crisps...

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8. The most important one of all.....

Once you have ticked all of the checklist above, set yourself a countdown to the midterm break! :)

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Find other Back to School Posts here:

First Day Back to School Activities

(An Actual) Back to School Checklist!

Printable Freebies for First Day Back to School

Primary Teaching Bloggers Ireland Blog Hop

As you may have seen, some of us Irish bloggers have decided to link up to do a blog hop! This a way to help share good ideas and resources for teachers. Click on the image below to find links to other interesting blogs!

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So a bit about me and my blog...

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and your teaching experience:

I'm Róisín, a primary school teacher from Galway. I hav been teaching for the the past four years in a large rural school in Co. Galway and am moving to a new school in September after being lucky enough to secure a permanent post.


What class level are your resources/ideas aimed at?

It varies a bit as I have worked in a variety of roles over the past four years. Primarily, I have worked in the Senior Classes (5th/6th) so the majority of my resoucres are tailored to this age group.  I have also worked as a Learning Support/Resource Teacher so I have been involved in most class levels over the past few years.


What made you want to start blogging?

I set up a Facebook page last summer as a place to share ideas. The main area I felt resources were lacking were for Gaeilge so I decided to start sharing the resources I had made for my own classroom. I only decided to commit to starting a blog a few week ago after many attempts previously!  The main reason is to be able to describe ideas/resources in more depth which can be more difficult on Facebook. My good friend from A Crucial Week made it look easy and helped me to get started!

Would you advise other Irish teachers to start a blog?

Yes, if you are interested in sharing your ideas or resources! While it can take a bit of time to get set up, it is great to have more Irish blogs that are applicable to our Curriculum.


What's your favourite free resource that you have shared?

My favourite free resource are these folder headings as they can be used for Teaching Practice, the dreaded Dip or for any class teacher really!

What's your favourite paid resource that you have shared?

My favourite paid resource is probably the Mo Scoil Poster Set as it is the type of resource that you can use all year round. I leave up most of the flashcards (clog, seilf etc.) and posters for the school year. 

Gaeilge Display Board (Year Round Resources)

Gaeilge is one of my favourite subjects to teach but one of the biggest challenges I find is having interesting and appealing resources to inspire the children. As a result, I generally make a lot of my own Gaeilge resources for my classroom.

Below I have listed some resources that I keep on my Gaeilge display board all year round. I then supplement it fortnightly with relevant flashcards & vocabulary for each Gaeilge theme.

1. Na Míonna

2. Laethanta na Seachtaine

3. Ceisteanna by A Crucial Week
These are very useful when doing comprehension questions as the picture cues help to remind the children of the type of question.

4. Seanfhocail
In our school, the children learn one seanfhocal per week. We sometimes integrate Gaeilge with Art at the end of the week to create illustrations for each seanfhocal.


5. 10 Téamaí headings
These posters can be used on your Gaeilge display board for each of the 10 Gaeilge themes you are teaching.