Notes from Children & Families Policies & Procedures 27.09.10

Please see below my notes taken during Rachel's lecture on Monday.

Getting Sorted!

Well I think that day by day I'm slowly starting to get myself sorted...I have now done most of the work for my study skills file although I do still need to get my head around the essay side of things?!  

It has also become apparent just how much reading and back up work has to be involved to get a good degree.  Having been set a task to observe children by Fiona, all sounds very simple but actually, there are specific ways of observing and then linking to theorists.  However, it is something I am very interested in so already I'm enjoying reading & learning which is great.

I am looking forward to Friday's lecture with Lin, it sounds strange but I'm kind of missing everyone this week after spending the whole week together last week! :-)

My Summary of an Article for Study Skills

This is a task which I found particularly enjoyable.  After time spent in the college library listening to the librarian voice his opinions about libraries in colleges and schools, I stumbled across an article on the TES (Times Educational Supplement) web site regarding schools and libraries, it was published on 17 September 2010.  The article was factual and very interesting so I decided that I would summarise and blog it.  My skim reading, note taking and research skills were particularly useful during this task.  

Could this be the end of School Libraries?

All schools have been responsible for their own libraries since 2000 after the government decided to pass the funding directly to schools instead of the local authorities being responsible, giving schools the choice not to buy library services and use funding elsewhere within the school.  Many schools however, do prefer to use the local School Library Service (SLS) rather than attempt to keep their own library. 

The SLS is run by local authorities and currently provides books, artefacts and other resources to 70% of primary schools in the UK.   As a whole they currently have available 12.5 million items made accessible to 3.4 million pupils covering 106 authorities.  At an annual cost of two to three thousand pounds per annum they are able to loan a full up to date library and loan a wide range of artefacts, this avoids redundant material lingering on shelves.

However, with schools now having to evaluate their budgets, the library is one area where cuts are being made. The decline began in 2000 when schools became accountable for their own library service.  There is great apprehension about the future of the school library and the future of the SLS, especially within the current climate, three services have closed so far this year and with funding possibly being reduced further this may cause many more authorities to close their services.  A few SLS’s are requesting that the government provide the library funding directly to the SLS instead of schools to ensure the survival of the school library and not let them just slip away.

Michael Morpurgo, children's author and patron of the School Library Association believes that “Libraries are the heart and soul of any school.  They are browsing places, finding places and dreaming places, so much education takes place when children make choices of their own”.

“It's a shame on our country, the country of Shakespeare and Dickens, that we are denying those children their heritage”

That Friday Feeling!

Thank crunchie it's Friday!  Am feeling relieved that this week is over! I haven't looked forward to a Friday quite so much in a long time!! I just need to concentrate on getting my Study Skills folder completed and out of the way! I'm hoping that I now understand exactly what needs to be included.  

The first part of today was nice as we were introduced to the child development module which I'm sure I will enjoy as it's something I'm really interested in, I was pleased to get a taste of things to come.  However this afternoon was awful, the diagnostics test was really hard and I couldn't get my brain to function properly, it didn't help with the computers turning themselves off every so often.

Anyway It's definitely wine o'clock now, so over and out from me :-) 

Reflection, refelection, reflection!

I have spent much of today reflecting on the past few days! Also putting into words what we have done, how and why and what I feel I have learnt from it.  This is a hard task as life usually whizzes by for me without having chance to think about anything.  I have to say I'm actually enjoying spending time doing this and I feel far more relaxed today than I have done all week.  I definitely feel more positive and that this is not going to be as daunting as I first thought, I still realise there are going to be times when it gets tough but I just have to keep picturing myself in cap & gown. 

My First Few Days

Wow information overload! I can't actually believe how much I've had to take in during the past 3 days.  Trying to get the balance between becoming a student and my family life has been a real strain this week.  My usual support network for help with my children has not been available so I've had to ask friends for lots of help.  Im overwhelmed by the support I've had from my family & friends so far.

I have enjoyed meeting all my fellow students who I will spend the next two years with. I have already learnt so much and am really looking forward to learning more!  At first I was extremely confused at what we are being asked to do but I feel as though I understand things much more clearly today.

I went to the stationers last night to buy myself a shiny new pencil case and some folders etc.. very exciting when I got to the till and realised I could have a 10% discount! am looking forward to more student discounts!

Must just remember to keep smiling and that we all feel the same!