Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 8hOur P1s are learning about past and present. They have requested certain songs for their disco. This week they will ask their grown ups at home what songs they liked at a party when they were 5 or 6. Some of the songs Mrs J danced to at her First school discos have been long forgotten! 100
Reposted by Mary JMary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 20hInstead of putting our time and energy into making changes and doing things in school that the inspectors might want to see, how about looking at the children in front of us, working out what they need most, and finding the best way to do that. That is how we will make schools better. 2164
Reposted by Mary JRev Darren Jalland @oldmacharrev.bsky.social · 03/10/2026I'm sorry, "people who work harder"? This will be news to every nurse, teacher, nursery worker, delivery driver, care worker, refuse collector, cleaner, shop assistant and many millions of others who work their backsides off for far less than 100 grand a year. What an utterly appalling thing to say. 0195
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026When I was a child, I thought this was the greatest Disco song of all time!m.youtube.comOttawan - Hands Up 1981YouTube video by Николай 160
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026I’m amazed by how many people think I need to offer an explanation as to why I’m not watching Celebrity Traitors.static.klipy.comDr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) Asks 'Why?'Alt: Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) Asks 'Why?' 340
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Writing a story is much more fun when you get to do it as a book! 090
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Saying what we see in art. So far we have a clear highly rated piece! Children know what they like and what they don’t like. They also notice things I miss. (I’ve blanked out the children’s observations as they have names on them) Favourite comments: ‘Time is stretchy.’ ‘The sky is dancing.’ 080
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Today my little learners sorted donated items - choosing their own categories, practising new vocabulary, exploring maths and literacy. We also had a wellbeing chat about private parts ensuring dolls are clothed… Mrs J cannot abide naked Barbies! #EduSkyPrimary 160
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Real stuff you can move is usually better than worksheets for little learners. 2112
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 28/09/2026In 2020 I made 5 minute videos for Phonics using RWI. Little did I know I’d use them for 5 years - turns out children are more engaged with me on screen than they are with me sitting in front of them and doing the same thing! Now using Twinkl Phonics I’m starting from scratch. youtu.be/Av3Z_mmkJbg 170
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Paintings of the week. All we do is say what we see and rate them out of 5. Deep stuff! Which will win? 050
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026This book about a family of ducks navigating their way across Boston to find somewhere safe to settle is always a big hit with my little learners. Adding the @noveleffect.bsky.social soundscape makes it even more charming. 260
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026My issue with standardised tests that wrap every maths question in a context is that they rarely show whether a child can actually do the basic maths. Applying maths matters, of course, but sometimes they just need a chance to show what they can do without wrestling with the scenario. 130
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Somebody donated this toy to our class and it is superb! 1110
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026One cannot own too many Orchard Toys Board Games. 080
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Low prep activities are the way to go! Fly swats, chalk pens and wipe clean dice are a must have tool in the P1 classroom. 020
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 24/09/2026This is an HQ build by two children. They waited to hear ‘beep, beep, beep’ and then left it to help people in trouble! #PlayIsTheWay 060
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 23/09/2026They said my Sindy dolls are creepy but are fine playing with these monstrosities! 020
Reposted by Mary JSue Cowley @suecowley.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Every time I work with teachers they talk to me about their frustration with the 'sameness' demanded of them in class and how tedious it must be for learners. I don't understand why people mix up consistency with uniformity. You can have consistent standards but still have flexible approaches. 310915
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Making lesson resources - one of the workload bits I 'd like to keep! primary1help.wordpress.com/2026/09/21/m...primary1help.wordpress.comMaking lesson resources – one of the workload bits I ‘d like to keep!Paperwork is not my favourite part of teaching. Forms, trackers, documentation “just in case an inspector asks”… that’s the stuff that drains me. But making worksheets, slideshows and lesson resour… 082
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Let’s remember to be kind online. Even when we feel let down. Even when someone can’t see things from our perspective. May we remember that we’re all human, with feelings - and treat others the way we’d hope to be treated. 080
Reposted by Mary JJanet Gooodall @janetifimust.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Dear Adobe, When opening a PhD thesis that I'm attempting to examine, I am well aware that it's a long document. And no, under no circumstances do I want you to summarise it for me. GO AWAY. 091
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 19/09/2026The models might be quirky but the storybook glen is an absolutely lovely day out with young children. A model for countless nursery rhymes and fairy tales set in a beautiful environment. And the accuracy of the models gives the adults a right good laugh! 360
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Fairytale glen this morning, Russell Howard this afternoon. A good Saturday! 040
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Living room set up for the grandchildren staying this long weekend. 😊 160
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Well I did enjoy my meal of fish and chips served with wine! We even had someone taking orders on a clip board. Great play and developing literacy skills happening in continuous provision today. #PlayIsTheWay 1100
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 17/09/2026One learner said ‘I made a triangle man with circle eyes.’ Another using vocabulary - heavy and light as they experiment with scales and playdough. This is an example of explicit teaching input spilling over into free play and consolidating learning. #PlayIsTheWay 1130
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Another night at the theatre. We are spoilt for theatres in Aberdeen. 040
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Ellie has started her 19th year of adventures. This is Ellie 2! Granny Ellie still sits on the shelf! 040
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 14/09/2026My most read books growing up. I am a big fan of the speech bubble. 150
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 14/09/202631% of children in the UK living in poverty. This is absolutely not ok. Tax me more if it helps. I’ll take it! 282
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 14/09/2026It’s that time of year when we pick apart sunflower heads. It’s all very interesting! #PlayIsTheWay 060
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 14/09/2026All ready for International Dot Day! Thanks to @noveleffect.bsky.social 031
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 12/09/2026After years of presenting the children with far too many feelings to comprehend on the daily check-in, we’ve made it much simpler this year. And it’s being used more. 2110
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 12/09/2026I’m running a school choir. Old school with a piano and song sheets. I’ve had quite enough of all this Shakira nonsense in assembly! 🤣 0120
Reposted by Mary JSue Cowley @suecowley.bsky.social · 11/09/2026This is great from @primaryteachermary.bsky.social because it's about the nuance of encouraging listening. We don't have to be rigid about things to have an expectation of them. It's good to listen! #EduSky 1115
Reposted by Mary JSue Cowley @suecowley.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Fab idea! @primaryteachermary.bsky.social 082
Reposted by Mary JMary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Here we have some of the circle games we've been playing with our P1s. 4 weeks in. Have we started phonics yet? Nope! First we need to know that the children can hear the difference between sounds. Never assume that they can! Spending time practising this will help everyone in the long run!read.bookcreator.comListening, Attention and Auditory Discrimination ActivitiesSome example of activities I use at the start of phonological awareness sessions | Find thousands of free educational ebooks for classroom use at read.bookcreator.com 0142
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Gears, Gears, Gears is a fun toy! Lots of sciency learning stuff going on with this! You get lots of bits and you put them together to see what happens! 070
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 11/09/2026It was a taking the toys outside kind of day today! 050
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 11/09/2026We did enjoy putting Humpty back together again today! Happy Friday! 092
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Here we have some of the circle games we've been playing with our P1s. 4 weeks in. Have we started phonics yet? Nope! First we need to know that the children can hear the difference between sounds. Never assume that they can! Spending time practising this will help everyone in the long run!read.bookcreator.comListening, Attention and Auditory Discrimination ActivitiesSome example of activities I use at the start of phonological awareness sessions | Find thousands of free educational ebooks for classroom use at read.bookcreator.com 0142
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 10/09/2026A wee blog about the teaching of listening skills with a link to some tried and tested circle games. #EduSkyPrim primary1help.wordpress.com/2026/09/10/s...primary1help.wordpress.comStart With Listening: Setting Learners Up for SuccessTeaching listening skills has, for many, become a contentious topic. Only this morning I read an article saying that we shouldn’t use prompts like ‘eyes looking’ or ‘sitting still… 183
Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Low prep, low maintenance independent tasks for numeracy today. There’s nothing Pinterest or insta about this - but it does the job whilst I work with groups! #EduSkyPrimary 080