Hi all!
Hope everyone had a peaceful Christmas, in whatever form it took this year.
For me December was quiet on the college front. Part of our Nua-Ghaeilge module was due on the 16th, an Irish essay on a short story, so once that was in I was free to be on my holidays! It was my first time writing an academic essay in Irish - it took around 3 days but was actually more manageable than expected. Obviously teanglann.ie and focloir.ie played a big role! Foclóir was particularly handy because it gives you sentences relating to the topic you're searching.
Apart from working through the online sessions, I did almost no work in relation to my placement in January. My placement school rang just before they finished for Christmas to say that I wouldn't be with 5th class anymore but they they weren't 100% certain on what my new class would be, so I'm twiddling my thumbs a bit now! There's also the uncertainty about whether placement will happen at all, with the big increase of COVID-19 cases in recent days. I'm finding it difficult to get cracking into thinking about placement with the possibility of it being cancelled looming over it. I also have no idea what I will and won't be able to do in the classroom in terms of resources, pods, covid guidelines etc.
So I'm trying to keep flexible and roll with whatever comes. I can't control what class I get, or when I find out, and I definitely can't control whether the schools stay open or not! I'll organise my folders as much as I can, prep my bag and my outfits, brainstorm some lesson ideas etc. but I can't do too much planning until I have my week of observation and have the chance to meet the class and talk to the class teacher.
Provided placement does go ahead (we'll know next week), I very much feel like I'm stepping into the unknown. I know placement nerves are normal, and that there's only so much research and lectures can do to prepare you for the classroom, but it's a lot when it's coupled with a global pandemic.
Sending good wishes to anyone else gearing up for placement, and indeed all those set to return to schools on the 11th!