Hugh’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Week 25 – “Music”

10 May 2016 41 Comments

by Ritu in Challenges, Photography Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Hugh's Photo Challenge, Music, Photography

It’s Tuesday, and Hugh has set us another great prompt!

Music!

1. Take or choose a photo that you’ve taken which depicts Music.
2. Create a new post on your blog entitled “Hugh’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Week 25 – “Music”
3. Add the photo(s) you have taken to the post and tell us a little about what you are showing.
4. Create a pingback to this post or leave a link to your post in the comments section so other participants can view the post.

Now, you know me, I can’t stop at one!

First thing, music is one of the most important aspects of my life. If I’m in any situation, I can think of a song to go with it! And if there isn’t one, I’ll make one up! I love so many different genres of music, that my collection may look pretty eclectic to some!

As a youngster, I did the whole music lesson thing… I tried guitar, but was put off by the teacher, who would sit with a pack of coloured polos and a pencil, using the latter to pick up a polo by the hole, one at a time, slowly devouring the pack during the lesson! Then if I played a note wrong, which I inevitably did, my hand would get a smack with said pencil!

Then I had a go at recorder because those were the days that everyone was made to play recorder at primary school! I was okay… not that good, though!

I always wanted to learn to play the piano from a young age. At the time my parents were advised against it as my hands would be too small… strange…have you seen those prodigies, aged tiny, whose little fingers whizz over those ivory keys?!

Still, at the time, I didn’t pursue it, but at 6th form, it was decided that I would have a crash course, as playing the piano was a skill that was perfect for a primary school teacher. I picked up quite a bit, but then promptly forgot it when I went to university! Though I can still pick a tune out!

I think I should stick to singing!!!

So my first photo is dedicated to my musical instruments of old!

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Loved my recorder
Even though I couldn’t play
Very well at all!

***

Stood in a corner
My guitar gently weeps
Not played anymore

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Did you know, even the furbaby of the family has a penchant for music?

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Move over Tom Jones
A media sensation!
Our won crooning cat!

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And the last photo is not one I took, but a friend snapped my Pops, dancing at my wedding. I think it encompasses him, and as a family, our love of music and dance, totally! This was taken 15 years ago, and since then he’s lost a bit of weight through his yoga, and he is turning 70 in 2 weeks too! Oh, I do love my Pops!!!!!

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Pops busting his moves
Like he’s twenty one again
Old is always gold!

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Hope you enjoyed them all!

SATs Day 2 #letourkidsbekids

10 May 2016 28 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, children in stress, Nicky Morgan, SATS, Year 6

He went to school quietly. Not necessarily confidently, but knowing he had to do what needed to be done for these tests.

I sent him with a whisper in his ear to not worry, just do his best, and remember Babaji (God) before starting the paper. We always ‘ask’ Babaji to be with us when we do things, so whatever the outcome, we know it was meant to be.

I didn’t see him at school all day.

In the evening when I came home I asked how it went. “Fine.” Stock answer for everything from a 10 year old boy.

Slowly though he began to talk about it. “Mummy, it was so hard, there was lots to,rad but the questions were really difficult. I didn’t even finish it. Lots of people didn’t finish it. Some children were even crying…”

I wasn’t sure how to take the end bit, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he had found it hard.

Coming home, looking at news sites and Facebook, it became apparent that he wasn’t the only one.

Parents posted about how upset or stressed their children had been.

Teachers had stated that in Classrooms across the country, the children classed as ‘more able’ were bursting into tears within minutes of starting the paper, not able to understand the vocabulary used in questions. What hope did our average or ‘nearly there’ students have?

This morning I wake to the news that today’s paper was leaked for a short while, on the suppliers website.

This happened with the younger children’s Key Stage 1 paper three weeks ago, and that has now been withdrawn.

Our kids had got pretty good at the practice Spelling Punctuation and Grammar or SPaG tests. If they say these marks will be discounted, it will dishearten the kids further.

I am even more concerned now of the mental health of these children.

Not just my own, but a whole nation of 10-11 year olds.

I came into teaching to make learning fun, to show children how much fun you can have learning about all manner of things… Thanks to the Education Ministers of the last few years, the fun of teaching and learning has been sucked out of education, instead replaced with unrealistic standards and tests.

Kids will no longer have a thirst for learning, instead they will gag at the thought of being force fed another fronted adverbial or subordinate clause…

Sort it out Government and Nicky Morgan!!

#letourkidsbekids

RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #96 Lightning&Rain

09 May 2016 34 Comments

by Ritu in Challenges, Poems Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Challenge, Haiku, Lightning & Rain, Ronovan's Weekly Haiku Challenge

Monday evening… you guessed it, Lovely Ron’s Haiku Challenge! Check it out here.

The prompt words:

Lightning & Rain

I came up with 4… 3 haiku and one tanka.. The obvious subjects would be weather…

rain 1

The feeling of rain
Quenching a thirst that’s unknown
After lightning strikes

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rain

When it rains it pours
Lightning will never strike twice
So the sayings go

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rain 3

A flash of lightning
After thunder rolls above
The Heavens open
Intense, the relief of rain
Easing pressures in the sky

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Then one not about the state of the world outside…

Rain runner

Like lightning, she ran
Compliments rained upon her
Victory was hers

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Apologies if there are any errors, I am posting this as a tired mummy/teacher!

Images from Pixabay.

Can’t Get No SATs-isfaction

09 May 2016 69 Comments

by Ritu in Children, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #letourkidsbekids, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Children, SATS, Tests

Well, that day has finally arrived. The one I have been dreading, for Lil Man’s sake. You may remember I wrote an open letter to the Education secretary about this.

The Year 6 (and Year 2) students in the UK are sitting their SATs tests this week. A set of tests that have been around for a while, but this year, they have changed. The National Curriculum changed last year, and they decided to introduce new tests, with higher standards, and much tougher questions this year.

I feel for these kids. I know that Lil Man and his class have been subjected to practice test after practice test the last couple of months, in readiness for these particular ones, and I think they are all exhausted. Speaking

Speaking for his teachers, from a teacher’s perspective, they have been trying to play catch up, as the Government threw them a curve ball with regards to what children are expected to achieve midway through the year. It is not their fault, they want the children to do as well as they can, and the practice is to make sure the kids are sure of how these tests work.

From a parent’s perspective though, these excessive tests just make me feel that our children’s childhoods are being snatched away from them. I know of umpteen parents who have felt the need to tutor their kids, on top of what they do at school, determined to get their children to pass with flying colours.

Who doesn’t want their child to pass?

Of course, I would love it if Lil Man came out with top marks, but I am going to be realistic here. It ain’t gonna happen. He will do as well as he can, he will give these SATs his all, and for that, I am grateful. I shall be happy with whatever he gets.

And I want him to have a happy childhood to look back on, not one where he just saw studying everywhere he turned. He loves sports, playing the dhol, spending time with our cat.

We spent this weekend forgetting about school work. He had just had a week of mock tests.

Seriously.

He’s 10 and he’s doing MOCK TESTS! I only ever had mocks when my GCSE’s were looming, at 15!

So we enjoyed the sunshine, played in the garden, allowed him to forget school for the weekend. After all, if he doesn’t know something now, it isn’t going to sink in overnight.

We just have to get him through Thursday, then the testing will be done. He can be a child again.

GOOD LUCK LIL MAN! Mummy and Daddy are behind you 100%. These things mean nothing to us. Do your best, try your hardest, give it

Mummy and Daddy are behind you 100%. These things mean nothing to us. Do your best, try your hardest, give it your all. That is as much as we can ask, and I know that you will do this. I can’t wait for this week to be done, and I know he can’t wait either.

And here is just a little piece I wrote regarding the effects this constant testing from such a young age is having on our kids, when Lil Princess was sitting her Year 2 SATs last year.

Have a good Monday Peeps. 🙂

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 64

08 May 2016 30 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, Mothers Day, Quotes, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“It is not until you become a mother that your judgement slowly turns to compassion and understanding.” Erma Bombeck

“Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn’t know you had, and dealing with fears you never knew existed.” Linda Wooten

I know in the UK we have already celebrated Mother’s day this year, but many of our Blog pals in other countries will be celebrating today.

Spidey pulled out some Mommy quotes for the day.

Essentially, every day is Mother’s day. We should appreciate, and celebrate our mothers every day, not just on one specific day, but hey, if the day is there, then spoil that woman! She will have sacrificed more than you may ever know to help mould you into the being you are.

She is probably a totally different person to what she was BC (Before Children).

Once you become a mother (or parent) yourself, only then to you actually feel the sacrifices she made, understand the unquestioning love she feels for you, see how hard it is to be a mum.

I know I struggle through some days of motherhood, and my mum jokes sometimes, that it is payback time. I was an awful eater/sleeper as a young child. I drove my mum to distraction with my fussiness. When I am at the same crossroads with my own children, then my appreciation for my mum goes up ten-fold.

How did she do it?

Whatever she did, however she did it, I always say this, if I am even half the mother that she has been to me, then I will be awesome because she truly is the best!

Happy Mother’s day to all those celebrating today!

Make it a special one Peeps!