Posts by Jackie Clark
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Human Remains by Denis Welch - most people don't know that he ever wrote a novel, most people just think he's a writer for the Listener. I know he's a very talented novelist, and I think that this may have been the first and maybe only NZ novel I ever read that evoked the primeval quality that I love so much about this place I call my heart home. And it's a great, great yarn too. Very affecting.
In general I read a lot of books, and I speed read so I don't often remember what books I've read unless someone mentions a title or an author, but some of my very favourite books of all time have to be the Harry Potter ones, quite simply because I don't read books twice, just as I don't watch films twice, and I read all the books at least 4 to 5 times each. Not lifechanging, but really delightful books. And she's a very, very good writer. You have to be, to write childrens' fiction, I think. -
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Could we all just pause in our prosletysing and watch this video that Lynley Hood so kindly provided a link to? Far be it from me to tell people how to raise their kids, but I've said it before, and I'll say it again - life is about connection, and as a teacher, I can change one child's disruptive behaviour quicker with lots of hugs and kindness than I could by yelling and being all standover about it. Now would ya just watch the video!!!!
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delightful! Thanks for that....I particularly liked the " No, we're married, we're Christians...."
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Thanks, Robyn. I remember those very well - lovely.
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I find those put forward on PA of a frighteningly higher standard than most of the nonsense I encounter.
Wonderful, slarty. My feelings exactly. Most of the time, I don't post, just read on in great envy, really. As to the smacking thing, I don't have children, so I can only comment as a person who engages in the vast world of learning at the early childhood level. Anyway, as far as I can see, it's way past time for some legislation that covers discipline that isn't covered under child abuse legislation. I teach in a part of this fine city that is well exposed in the media as having violence problems. Some of the people I come in contact with on a daily basis are "smackers" or as the children refer to it " I got a hiding last night, Jackie" . Some are smackers in the order of light smacks. Remember these are 3 and 4 year olds. They may be using hyperbole, they may have got a tap on the bottom, but I can tell which ones are smacked on a regular basis - with less force than would constitute child abuse, and with more force than constitutes a tap on the bum. Those are the kids that hit and hurt other kids on a regular basis. So my argument is this - that the current legislation does not cover the force used on a child which is harder than a light smack. If the antismacking legislation covers this, I would be alot happier as an educator. Far easier to engage in some enriching learning when you're not running around all morning/afternoon, trying to stop little Johnnie from acting out on other kids what's acted out on him at home. We call it modelling. Fancy that.
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I have a PhD and 15 years experience and I get paid less than a kindy teacher
hmm, I'm a kindergarten teacher. Not quite sure what to make of that remark, but I won't take it too badly. I could go off on one, but you've obviously never taught 3 and 4 year olds so I'll let it go. After all, when people ask me what I do for a living, I am oft heard to say " I play all day, what do you do, SUCKER?" . Anyway, well done, David. Much luck to you. I've enjoyed your articles, and shall continue to do so, and I hope that someone pays you, like they pay me (quite well, to tell the truth) to do what you love to do.
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Whilst others debate more weighty matters, I'm just glad that RB's son is enjoying Colin. Kids laughing is not a bad thing.
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Late starts are dissuading me from seeing bands
Absobloodylutely. One of my favourite bands of all time, One Million Dollars, are on at AK07, in the Spiegeltent - at 10pm. I would love to go and see them, but I work with young peoples, and I can't justify walking around like a zombie all day. There's a lot of stuff on in Auckland, and I've love to be part of it, but I have to be asleep by 11pm at the latest to feel even remotely okay the next day, so I guess it's evenings in and Survivor/Amazing Race/whatever for me. Oh, but Nathan Haines is on this Sunday at 7.30pm. Now that, I can do...
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Good luck with your fundraiser, Russell. I admire you tremendously for doing what it takes to make your kid happy and fulfilled.