I had a beautiful mothers day for lots of reasons. My kids spoilt me with my favourite things, warm slippers, chocolates, books and DVDs. I love being spoilt. I have always totally enjoyed mothers day and my birthday. I’m definately not one of those ‘Don’t make a fuss’ people. I say bring on the treats.
I had a great surprise at school today also when one of my reluctant readers turned up reading a book. He told me enthusiastically he’d enjoyed reading. That’s all it takes to make me smile as a teacher.
All is well in my world.
The Red Shoe by Ursula Dubosarsky and other Red Shoes
I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Red Shoe’. The book contains some imaginative historical insight into the times and Ursula Dubosarsky has written ‘How I came to write ‘The Red Shoe’‘ explaining this. It was a beautifully written story containing many touching moments. I explained to my students it dealt with dark subjects from the vague experience and sensations of a child, who described things she couldn’t understand without judgement and with a innocent perception.
It has been shortlisted for the CBCA Awards in the ‘Books for Mature Readers’ category. Interestingly the other book I have read also has the same colour in it’s title. They were both so great, I don’t know how they will choose.
There is something wild about the image of red shoes. The Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale The Red Shoes about the girl who can’t stop dancing was one of my favourites. I also love the Kate Bush song and album by the same name.
Picture with permission from Lucinda Surber, check out the blog Red Stuff for more cool photos of red things.
Great Wall of China Exhibition
This week I went on a school excursion to the Great Wall of China Exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. It was fantastic. I loved learning more about the wall, which as I’ve previously said, I’d love to walk one day. There were some spectacular exhibits and after teaching year 7’s about Imperial China for the past 4 years it was exciting for me to see my first ‘real’ terracotta warrior and various other artefacts that we’d discussed in the classroom.
There were stunning photographs and the exhibition was well put together.
The bus trip was noisy and the students on the way there and back were incredibly loud. At the museum however, and importantly, they were well behaved and participated well in their learning experience. I was tired!