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Mary J

@primaryteachermary.bsky.social
5.3K followers 4.6K following 3.3K posts

Primary Teacher 🦕 #SDG obsessed. #EduSky MEd Early Years Pedagogue (dist) #MIEExpert #WakeletAmbassador #noveleffect, travelling elephants and other stuff. Was @ElliePrimary1 on that place ✝️🏳️‍🌈Aberdeen, Scotland primary1help.wordpress.com

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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 8h
Our 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!
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 20h
Instead 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.
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Rev Darren Jalland @oldmacharrev.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
I'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.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
When I was a child, I thought this was the greatest Disco song of all time!
m.youtube.com
Ottawan - Hands Up 1981
YouTube video by Николай
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I’m amazed by how many people think I need to offer an explanation as to why I’m not watching Celebrity Traitors.
static.klipy.com
Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) Asks 'Why?'
Alt: Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) Asks 'Why?'
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Writing a story is much more fun when you get to do it as a book!
This is drawing club. We all made up a story about Pirate Pete (inspired by a Nick Sharratt book) We drew the main character, the setting, his crew, and an adventure where they got a surprise at the end in their treasure chest. You can’t see the last page so you’ll need to imagine what was in the treasure chest!
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Saying 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.’
The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali, and A Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Today 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
A box of doll clothes and costumes.
A box of accessories.
And box for baby dolls and child dolls.A box for superhero dolls.
2 boxes for other dolls.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Real stuff you can move is usually better than worksheets for little learners.
Sheets with pictures. Cubes with letters to be matched up with initial sounds.5 frames and teddies.5 frames and teddies.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
In 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
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Paintings of the week. All we do is say what we see and rate them out of 5. Deep stuff! Which will win?
Salvador Dali’s - the persistence of memory.

A painting with melting clocks.Van Goghs a Starry Night.

A swirly nighttime painting.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This 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.
MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS
Robert McCloskey
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
My 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.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Somebody donated this toy to our class and it is superb!
Weighing scales. A penguin balance scale. fish with numbers on show how much they weigh.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
One cannot own too many Orchard Toys Board Games.
This is called Dino-Snore-Us. There are little dinosaurs trying to steal eggs.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Low prep activities are the way to go! Fly swats, chalk pens and wipe clean dice are a must have tool in the P1 classroom.
A round, Green table with numbers 4 and 5 written on with white chalk pen, fly swats and a dice.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This is an HQ build by two children. They waited to hear ‘beep, beep, beep’ and then left it to help people in trouble! #PlayIsTheWay
Big wooden blocks (by Community Play Things) set up on a space themed carpet.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This bunch are ready to play tomorrow!
A collection of superhero and Toy Story toys.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
They said my Sindy dolls are creepy but are fine playing with these monstrosities!
2 Sindy dolls from the 1980sThe joker and venom dolls.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
I saw a caterpillar. That’s the post.
A fox moth caterpillar on the ground.
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Reposted by Mary J
Sue Cowley @suecowley.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Every 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.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Making lesson resources - one of the workload bits I 'd like to keep! primary1help.wordpress.com/2026/09/21/m...
primary1help.wordpress.com
Making 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…
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Let’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.
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Janet Gooodall @janetifimust.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Dear 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.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The perfect way to spend a Monday morning.
Me looking at a shell on the beach with my grandson.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The 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!
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Fairytale glen this morning, Russell Howard this afternoon. A good Saturday!
Stage set for comedy set.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Living room set up for the grandchildren staying this long weekend. 😊
A baby gym, dolls house and boxes of toys and books.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Well 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
A metal cup filled with corks - this is wine!
A metal bowl filled with lids and corks - that’s my main meal.Food orders taken by a child on a clipboard.A clip board with a child writing on it.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
One 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
Table set up with playdough and weighing scales. A triangular man has been made with play dough and there is playdough in the scales.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Another night at the theatre. We are spoilt for theatres in Aberdeen.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Ellie has started her 19th year of adventures. This is Ellie 2! Granny Ellie still sits on the shelf!
Grey toy elephant sitting in front of her diary.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
International Dot Day! We had a dotty day!
Book - 
the dot
PETER H. REYNOLDSWhite paper with blobs of paint in different colours.White paper with blobs of paint in different colours.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
My most read books growing up. I am a big fan of the speech bubble.
Cover of Asterix book

R. GOSCINNY ASIZX A. UDERZO
Written by GOSCINNY Illustrated by UDERZO
I steriX
OMNIBUS

• ASTERIX THE GAUL •
• ASTERIX AND THE GOLDEN SICKLE •
•ASTERIX AND THE GOTHS •Cover of the BROONS
Cover of or Wullie
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
No one is using my Lego wall! Sad times!
Wall mounted Lego base.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
31% of children in the UK living in poverty. This is absolutely not ok. Tax me more if it helps. I’ll take it!
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
It’s that time of year when we pick apart sunflower heads. It’s all very interesting! #PlayIsTheWay
A tuff tray with suns flower heads and tweezers on it.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Can you guess who started phonics today?
S shapes cut out and decorated with s - made into snakes.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
All ready for International Dot Day! Thanks to @noveleffect.bsky.social
Paints, tools to make dots, bingo Dabbers and worksheets for dotty creativity.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
After 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.
3 signs. One for happy, one for ok and one for I need a cuddle. Photos of each child are underneath and the pop their face on the sign to show how they feel.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I’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! 🤣
The sheet music from I’d like to teach the world to sing
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Sue Cowley @suecowley.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
This 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
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Sue Cowley @suecowley.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Fab idea! @primaryteachermary.bsky.social
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Here 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.com
Listening, Attention and Auditory Discrimination Activities
Some 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
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Gears, 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!
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
It was a taking the toys outside kind of day today!
Wooden blocks, and Gears Gears Gears laid out in the Playground.Hoops being used to make bubbles in a tuff tray.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We did enjoy putting Humpty back together again today! Happy Friday!
A Humpty Collage. The broken egg has been glued back together again and fixed with plasters.
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Here 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.com
Listening, Attention and Auditory Discrimination Activities
Some 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
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
A 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.com
Start With Listening: Setting Learners Up for Success
Teaching 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…
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Mary J @primaryteachermary.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Low 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
A table spinner - numbers on post its. Reusable magnetic writers to practise number formation.Numbers 1,2 and 3 written on a table. Lumps of plasticine for rolling into snakes  and forming number shapes.A board game. Incy Wincy Spider by Orchard toys. We change the board game/card game every fortnight so children can get the hang of it.
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