View Full Version : Can someone tell me...,?!
mumofone
10-01-2015, 05:47 PM
Exactly what are "mini beasts" and what "mark making" is. Both seem like ridiculous terms to me but obviously very current!
loocyloo
10-01-2015, 05:53 PM
Mini beasts ... bugs insects and the like.
Mark making ... ( exactly what it says ;-) ) ... making marks with pencil/paint/pen/crayon/chalk/mud/water etc
mumofone
10-01-2015, 06:13 PM
Mini beasts ... bugs insects and the like. Mark making ... ( exactly what it says ;-) ) ... making marks with pencil/paint/pen/crayon/chalk/mud/water etc
Thank you! What's with the term "mini beasts", why are they not just "insects", is it to make it sound more fun for kids?
Spiders, snails and slugs are mini beasts, but they are not insects :)
loocyloo
10-01-2015, 06:21 PM
Thank you! What's with the term "mini beasts", why are they not just "insects", is it to make it sound more fun for kids?
because not all mini beasts are insects! insects have 6 legs, spiders have 8 and are therefore not insects, but equally fascinating ... the same for caterpillars, worms etc. its just a generic term to cover a multitude of small creatures!
scroll halfway down the page for lots of minibeasts :D Free wildlife activities from nature detectives (http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/download/wildlife.htm)
bunyip
11-01-2015, 10:58 AM
Spiders, snails and slugs are mini beasts, but they are not insects :)
:clapping: Yay - at last: someone who knows their invertebrates. :magnificent:
When I retire, I'm thinking of writing 'The Dictionary of Childcare' to cover this sort of thing. When you're registering, it's a whole new world with it's own language - and I still can't put my finger on a single, fixed meaning for Humpty-Dumpty terms like "flexible" and "professional".
I did a training course within 3 months of registering, populated by CMs, nursery staff, and teachers. The trainer talked for an hour and then asked "any questions?" My hand went straight up and I said, "I have understood barely a quarter of the words you've used so far." :p Ironically, the course was on Communication in the Early Years. :panic:
Simona
11-01-2015, 11:11 AM
The language associated with our profession does not worry me that much...what 'bugs' me is the acronyms that increase each day and often some trainers are puzzled when we ask what they stand for?
Mumofone...mark making is a way of encouraging children to write
This link will be useful as it is from the National Strategies...it is from the previous govt and DfE has archived it but the content is still current practice
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/Mark_Making_Matters.pdf
bunyip
11-01-2015, 11:26 AM
The language associated with our profession does not worry me that much...what 'bugs' me is the acronyms that increase each day and often some trainers are puzzled when we ask what they stand for?
Mumofone...mark making is a way of encouraging children to write
This link will be useful as it is from the National Strategies...it is from the previous govt and DfE has archived it but the content is still current practice
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/Mark_Making_Matters.pdf
Subtle punning. :magnificent:
With you on acronym-hating. I had to phone a parent at work, and the receptionist tried to pronounce the establishment's initials OIEA as a single word. :p
I still refuse to wear the college hoodie I got from the City University, North Tyneside. :rolleyes:
sing-low
11-01-2015, 04:13 PM
What I don't understand is why we don't say 'creepy-crawlies' any more?! 'Mini-beasts' sounds far scarier IMHO.
mumofone
11-01-2015, 04:35 PM
What I don't understand is why we don't say 'creepy-crawlies' any more?! 'Mini-beasts' sounds far scarier IMHO.
Yeh this would make more sense to me. Mini beasts sounds a bit OTT and totally misleading really!
mumofone
11-01-2015, 04:37 PM
The language associated with our profession does not worry me that much...what 'bugs' me is the acronyms that increase each day and often some trainers are puzzled when we ask what they stand for? Mumofone...mark making is a way of encouraging children to write This link will be useful as it is from the National Strategies...it is from the previous govt and DfE has archived it but the content is still current practice http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151715/http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/Mark_Making_Matters.pdf
Thanks Simona that's great :-)
I'm so out of touch with governments current stance on education, I need to get clued up on it!
bunyip
11-01-2015, 05:06 PM
What I don't understand is why we don't say 'creepy-crawlies' any more?! 'Mini-beasts' sounds far scarier IMHO.
I think the PC Thought Police decided that 'creepy-crawlies' might be offensive to woodlice. :D
At any rate, my old English teacher, Miss Crawley, always took offence when we called her that. :rolleyes:
bunyip
11-01-2015, 05:10 PM
Thanks Simona that's great :-)
I'm so out of touch with governments current stance on education, I need to get clued up on it!
The current regime has a five-point policy on education:-
1. We must top the world league table for exam results
2. ....................no matter what the cost to childhood, family life, happiness, teen suicide rates, young adult burn-out and related psychological problems, etc. etc. :angry:
3. All failings will be attributed to the fault of teachers, parents, and childcarers.
4. Whatever is wrong, don't blame the government.
5. That's it.
Simona
12-01-2015, 11:11 AM
Thanks Simona that's great :-)
I'm so out of touch with governments current stance on education, I need to get clued up on it!
I would hold your breath for a little longer...there is an election coming in May and then...there maybe a total change.
I doubt politicians know themselves which is the policy they want to follow...coalition and all that jazz!!!!!