"Snow" by our 3rd Class, 7th Dec 2010

Snow falls from the sky.
Snow whizzes among the trees.
Snow covers the ground.
Snow steals the heat from your feet.
Snow melts all around.
Snow does nothing!

Websites The Kids Will Enjoy (and Learn From) During The Snow

Like me you've got the text that the school is closed again tomorrow (Thursday). Who knows about Friday. And so I want to give you a few education-type websites your child (and brothers/sisters/friends/you!) may well enjoy. I'll give you more during the year but here's a few for starters that I strongly recommend...

Congratulations To These Students of The Week

It has been really hard to be 'Student of the Week' so far--all the kids are great, and they've all been doing great. Still, the following kids have shone a tiny bit brighter than others on a particular week. It's not because of the quality of their work, it's the quality of their effort, along with good behaviour and honesty.

A big well done to...

Behaviour, Effort, and Honesty--The Three Things I Expect From Your Child

Yes, like I tell the kids on day one, and like I told you at the great meeting on Friday 3rd Sept, I expect three things from them: Good behaviour, effort, and honesty. I expect those things, and I reward those things.

1. Each day I keep a record of how each kid did that day (where each child ended on the good or bad side of the board), and then each week I choose a 'Student of the Week' based on that record. That child goes down to Mr Ruddy's office with a Certificate I give them. He/She makes his day by sharing their good news with him. It's a big thing, so if your child gets it, please give it great recognition in your own way. It means your child is thriving and giving extra big effort.
2. Another reward is that I do a draw for anyone who went the week without being on the bad side of the board... the prize is the child gets to pick any book from 'Mr Stuart's Library' (i.e. one of many books I have bought for the class). I find that the kids all love reading so it's a popular prize.

Of course, if the kids don't give good behaviour or effort, or if they lie, then that's a problem. I'll be truly disappointed. And sometimes, with extreme cases, they'll be going home with a Yellow or even a Red Card for you to sign, along with lines to write, or a reflection sheet to fill in. So far--amazingly--this class has had only one child go home with a Yellow Card. If they go home with one, it's a big deal. Please show your child that you too are disappointed. It means your child has not being doing well and needs to change in some way--behaviour, effort, honesty.

Jobs In The Class

Fair play to the following kids. All have shown me that they are responsible people. They are all able to do big jobs for the class. By giving them jobs, I'm giving them opportunities to show how well they do with some responsibility. So far, they've all been great at their jobs. I wish you could see how great they are at their jobs. I'll give out more jobs (e.g. librarians), but for now here's the list...

Homework And This Class

I'm really happy with the homework the class is doing. Everybody is doing their homework, and if they haven't got something they've got a note from Ma/Da/guardian to say why. Thank you!

What's more, the quality of much of the homework is shockingly good.

As I said at the meeting with you on September 3rd, I give up to 30 minutes work. Nearly every day that will include maths, reading, spellings, and writing. It will usually also include

The €200 Back To School Allowance...

I hope, if you qualify, you have already got the €200 back-to-school-allowance from the HSE. If you're unsure if you qualify, take a look at

I'm new at blogs--so let me know what you want! (Also: Class Photo)

So, it's now Sunday Sept 19th and I'm going to 'launch' this in a couple of days to you, the families of the kids in my class. First I need to post more content.

Let me tell you that writing a blog is new to me, so please let me know what you'd like to see me post. For starters I'm sharing tw

Let's talk!

Hi. Three days down and I'm beginning to suspect that this class is going to be a great one. Every single child in so far has already shown me that they are ready to do their job, which they know is "to learn." And I am ready to do my job, which they know is "to help us learn."

One way I can help them learn is by working closely with you, their parents/guardians. That's why I'm setting up this blog, hoping it can help most/all of you communicate with me. The more you and I communicate, the better we will be at meeting your child's unique learning needs.

Let's keep 'talking' all year:

1. via email to me (talbotmrstuart@gmail.com)
2. via meeting me (before or after school most days for quick chats, or at a time we can arrange in advance for longer meetings)
3. via notes from you to me sent in to school with your child (maybe in their journal or on other paper)
4. via notes from me to you (maybe in their journal, maybe on 'good cards', maybe on 'bad' cards [yellow & red cards])
5. at the parent-teacher meeting, which is usually early November
6. Occasionally I may call you, sometimes to pass on good news, sometimes to highlight a problem that we need to help your child with