8.50 am. Infants and Juniors troop past our house on their way to school. The cat’s in the front window watching them, trying to get her head around the mystery that is children. Why are they not stopping to play with her? What’s with the new shoes and the too-long dresses? Why are they poking each other with shiny new gel pens?
Yes, it’s the First Day Back. La Rentrée, as the kids lucky enough to have holidayed in France will know it; their gel pens came from Carrefour. But wherever these primary pupils sourced their new-term goodies, they’ll all be thinking the same. Will I sit by my friends? What’s Mrs X really like? Please don’t make us write about My Holiday …
Students ‘doing English’ with me know there’s often poetry in my lessons (frequently sourced from the fabulous Children’s Poetry Archive – see link below). Here’s a helpful poem for all the children wondering how to deal with their new classteacher. And a message for my new Year Fives and Sixes – don’t try it on me!!
HOW TO TURN YOUR TEACHER PURPLE
Heebie Geebie, Hurple Burple Time To Turn My Teacher. . . PURPLE! Simply chant this magic spell soon your teacher looks unwell: purple cheeks and purple nose purpleness from head to toes Feed her beetroot every hour see her fill with purple power bloomin’ like a purple flower how she’ll scream when in the shower!!!
How to Turn Your Teacher Purple and Other Sizzling Science Poems (A&C Black, 2011), © James Carter 2011
How to Turn Your Teacher Purple
This is also the First Day of my blog. English With Dr Julia Fowler . There’ll be info and snippets for GCSE students and 11+ parents, links to stuff I like and find useful, and thoughts on literacy coaching. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts too!
