Learning from Lupins

lupins11.jpg I wish I was a lupin! My lupins are blooming this year! Last year I gathered seeds and planted them in a very exposed windy site, not ideal.  Took a risk. They grew and grew, swayed about in the wind and found a way to survive.  They didn’t need me, just adapted, remained flexible and supported each other. Brilliant.  This beauty in an unexpected place is wonderful.  Reminds me to try to bloom where I’m planted and to encourage learners to create, however unusual their journey may seem. 

Decorate your own soul

My Dad sent me this a while ago. Not sure where he got it from but I love the imagery and simplicity of it all.  

Learning

After a while you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning

And company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts

And presents aren’t promises -

And you begin to accept your  defeats

With your head up and your eyes open

And with the grace of an adult, not the

Grief of a child

And you learn to build your own roads today

Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain

For your plans

After a while you learn that even sunshine

Burns if you get too much

So you plant your own garden and decorate

Your own soul – instead of waiting for

Someone to bring you  flowers,

And you learn  that you really can endure,

That you really are special,

And that you really do have a worth,

So live to learn and know yourself,

In doing so you will learn to live.

L Plates

Just started to issue L plates to students who have started to use key learning skills introduced in our school by Toby Quibell at http://www.total-learning.org.uk through a programme called ‘Thoughtful Learners’.  Provided an interesting starting point for the whole school.  Created a great climate to celebrate learning, to feel very happy to wear L plates, staff as well as children! How often do you wear your L plates?

Proud Learner

What a week! Sometimes teaching can be tiring.  I’m lucky enough to be able recharge myself by reminding myself that I’m  a learner too and proud of it.  Still learning, taking risks, getting it all wrong and having lots of fun.  It’s somehow reassuring to go back to the bare basics and feel happy not to know anything!  It’s also good to think of those very challenging students as great teachers who are here to teach us something.  It’s a privilege to learn from other people’s learning -what a great opportunity at Kelly’s blogg  www.kwhobbes.edublogs.org