More Emotional Literacy Through Music

If you have followed my blog for a while, you will know I am a massive fan of using music in the classroom, especially for reading comprehension. You can read about other songs I have blogged here.

Here is another example:

Here is a lyric video to the song:

“Praying” is a song by Kesha believed to be directed at her long legal battle with producer Dr. Luke. It is believed the producer sexually and emotionally abused the singer over a number of years. While I wouldn't share this sensitive information with the class, the song has a powerful message about being positive when bad things have happened. Kesha described this song as:

This song is about me finding peace in the fact that I can’t control everything — because trying to control everyone was killing me. It’s about learning to let go and realize that the universe is in control of my fate, not me. 

“Praying” was written about that moment when the sun starts peeking through the darkest storm clouds, creating the most beautiful rainbow. Once you realise that you will in fact be OK, you want to spread love and healing. If you feel like someone has wronged you, get rid of that hate, because it will just create more negativity.

 There are definite links through this song and bullying and how to have a positive mindset if you have been picked on and bullied.

Here are the lyrics with some suggested questions:

Listen to the song all the way through and ask the children for what they think this song is about?
Who is the singer singing about? What makes you think this?

Well, you almost had me fooled
Told me that I was nothing without you
Oh, but after everything you've done
I can thank you for how strong I have become

• Who is the singer singing to? An ex-boyfriend, partner or 'friend'
• Why was she almost fooled? She almost believed everything the person was saying that made her doubt herself
• What makes you think the person she is singing about isn't a nice person? They seem controlling by telling the singer she is nothing with them.
• Do you think the experience with this person is something the singer regrets? Yes in some ways as she was clearly hurt but she has now learned from the mistake and it has made her a better person.
• If the person she is singing about has bullied her, why is she thanking them? She believes in forgiveness and knows this experience has made her a stronger person
• Do you think this is the right attitude to have?
• Do you think you would think the same way? Allow for personal response

’Cause you brought the flames and you put me through hell

I had to learn how to fight for myself

And we both know all the truth I could tell

I'll just say this is I wish you farewell

• What word is mispelt in the first line? What should it be? Because
• Did the person she is speaking about actually bring flames? No
• What do the flames symbolise? Flames can be dangerous and harmful, they can also leave scars
• What does she mean by 'put me through hell'? Whoever it was treated them terribly and made them feel worthless. Hell is considered a place of constant punishment and torment.
• How did the singer feel during this time? How do you know? Lonely, she had to fight for herself.
• Has the singer revealed everything that has happened? No
• Why not? She doesn't want to reflect and remind herself of all the damage that has been caused. She wants to move on.
• What does the word farewell mean? Farewell is more of a term of endearment.
• Why would she use this word? She realises that two wrongs don't make a right and is showing empathy towards the person that has hurt her. She knows there are reasons why this person has acted in this way and hopes they can sort these problems out.
• Why does she 'wish them farewell'? The singer uses it more as a way of saying goodbye and she wants to move on with her life. 

I hope you're somewhere prayin’, prayin'

I hope your soul is changin', changin'

I hope you find your peace

Falling on your knees, prayin'

• Does the singer think the person will be praying? No, she uses the word hope.
• Why is she hoping the person is praying? People usually pray for a number of reasons but a more popular one is to ask for forgiveness. She is hoping they're praying to repent their sins.
• What does she hope this will do? Change their soul and make them a better person so they never do this again.
• Why does she hope they find their peace? She wants them to learn and never repeat this bullying to anyone else.

I'm proud of who I am

No more monsters, I can breathe again

And you said that I was done

Well, you were wrong and now the best is yet to come

'Cause I can make it on my own

And I don't need you, I found a strength I’ve never known

I’ll bring thunder, I'll bring rain, oh-oh

When I’m finished, they won't even know your name

• Do you think the singer has always been proud of who they are? Maybe not, maybe the person she is singing about made her doubt herself, feeling lonely and upset.
• What word does she use to describe the person she is singing about? A monster
• What impression do we get from this description? A monster is a scary creature, it makes us think the singer was frightened and feeling powerless with them.
• Now she has moved on, how does she feel? She feels free, she says she can breathe again.
• How else did the person make the singer feel? Like she was worthless and finished by saying she was done.
• How does the singer feel now? With freedom comes courage, strength and belief. She feels like a big weight has been lifted and it has given her a new lease of life. 
• What has she learnt? Despite previously feeling alone because of the bullying, now she has realised that she doesn't need anyone else, she can make it on her own. 
• What strength has she found? A strength to be proud of herself, believe in her own ability and not rely on other people's opinons and thoughts. 
• What does she mean by bringing thunder and rain? Thunder and rain usually symbolise sadness. So she is saying that there will still be moments when she is sad and vulnerable, but accepts this also makes her stronger by accepting the fact she isn't perfect.
• What does she mean by the last line? Once she has finished achieving her dreams, this experience will be so insignificant, people won't even remember it. 

You brought the flames and you put me through hell

I had to learn how to fight for myself

And we both know all the truth I could tell

I'll just say this is I wish you farewell

I hope you're somewhere prayin’, prayin'

I hope your soul is changin', changin'

I hope you find your peace

Falling on your knees, prayin'

Oh, sometimes I pray for you at night

Someday, maybe you'll see the light

Oh, some say, in life, you're gonna get what you give

But some things only God can forgive

• Is the singer completely over the bullying? No she still thinks about it at night.
• Do you think she believes the bully will 'see the light'? She isn't sure as she uses the words someday and maybe.
• What does she mean by 'see the light'? Seeing the light means realising what they have done and realising the damage it has caused and ask for forgiveness.

• Can you think of some words to describe the singer when she was being bullied?
• Can you think of some words to describe the singer now?
• What can we learn from her approach to bullies?
• Do you think you would be the same?
• If you see bullying happening, what should you do? 
• How long do you think it has taken the singer to get to this point of feeling strong again?

I know the issue raised in this song could be sensitive for some, I know it would lead to some very deep and interesting conversations about bullying, empathy and understanding. 

I hope you found these ideas useful.

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Enhancing our Mini Beast topic with technology

Over the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of working in Year 1. Their topic for this half term has been mini beasts and so I wanted to share with you some of the work we have been doing through technology.

First, you may have seen the Hungry Caterpillar video we made, you can read about how we created this here.

The children have also been learning about different mini beasts, researching facts and information and then creating these videos using the app - Shadow Puppets Edu:

Last week, students were writing their own mini beast poems, focusing on the use of alliteration. To add an element of performance, the pupils recorded themselves sharing their writing using the app ChatterPix Kids. Here are some of their examples:

These are just a couple of example of how I try to promote the use of technology in the primary classroom. It is about children creating content through these creative apps. Each of these ideas can easily be adapted to any topic you are doing with your pupils. 

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The Struggles for Teachers Administrating a Test

If you're in the midst of testing season, I am sure you can relate to these videos:

This also made me chuckle, this chicken has nailed it as a teacher!

😂😂😂 Tag a teacher who walks like this! #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teachers

A post shared by Lee Parkinson (@ict_mrp) on Jan 13, 2018 at 1:25pm PST

I am sure every Year 6 teacher can also relate to this video from last year:

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Why Teachers have no patience by 9am

Another video for you to enjoy. Can you relate?

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Which Teaching Avenger are you?

With the new film breaking all sorts of records, I’ve put this video together looking at what the Avengers would be like as teachers. Which one do you relate to most? Let us know in the comments and get sharing with your colleagues if they remind you of anyone too!

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Making Dreams Come True Through The Internet

I am always trying to promote the positive use of the internet. For me, it has changed my life in a way I never thought possible. Having my ideas shared and used all around the world is amazing and now to be able to visit and work with so many teachers around the country and beyond is brilliant. It is a tool I use a lot in class to add an authentic purpose to children's learning. Connecting our classroom to professionals and experts through social media has had an incredible impact on the quality of work we get from our students.

I have blogged plenty of examples of where the internet has created these amazing opportunities and experiences for our pupils, such as Blackfish, learning about our local area or a message for the England football team.

A couple of weeks ago, we had primary futures week where our pupils were learning about different jobs, had parents visit and talk about their career and discussion our aspirations.

I worked with Year 2 and challenged them to make some eBooks about their dream job. Using the app Book Creator to share their ideas. It was great to see the children being so creative and working on a variety of skills as they created their eBooks.

We shared some on our social media pages, such as Harley's example:

@NASA @astro_timpeake we’ve been making eBooks about our dream jobs, this student wants to be an astronaut. He would love to know what you think of this and whether he’d make a good astronaut if he keeps working hard! pic.twitter.com/wasldesgiT

— Davyhulme Primary (@DavyhulmePS) February 8, 2018

Harley was made up to know his idol, Tim Peake had read his eBook and replied.

We had a range of jobs but one stood out to me. Alfie's dream job was to drive the Flying Scotsman, his eBook reflected his passion and knowledge of the train and his enthusiasm towards it.

I shared his eBook and asked people to help get his eBook to the team at the Flying Scotsman in hope we could make his dream come true:

And thanks to the wonderful world of the internet, we received this email:

Here is a little interview I did with Alfie about this. He will be hopping on the Flying Scotsman next week so I will be sharing some pictures from his day out.

Update 17th May

I just wanted to share some pictures from Alfie's amazing day. In school today, he was telling me all about it. The enthusiasm, excitement and joy in his tone as he talked me through the day was amazing! Thanks again to the East Lancs Railway for making this possible!