GCSE 2018 (7) [wine][wine][wine][wine]

[mmzz]

A new thread to take us through the exams
Link to old thread

I’m making a Shopping list of easy to prepare evening meals. Tinned salmon fillets, chicken pieces, cous cous, quinoi, frozen veg & lasagnes seem to be featuring heavily.

Had an email today from school with revision masterclass timetable for the next four weeks. If they arnt in an exam or a “masterclass” they go to normal timetabled lessons.

No extra revision sessions at ds school. Range of additional support is very varied across different schools.

DS school expectation is that extra curricular commitments cintinue too. Apparent Lack of exam focus from school is a bit of a worry in terms of how prepared they are but on the other hand in terms of stress levels and anxiety it’s may be a good thing as he s not feeling too much pressure which he might have done had he gone elsewhere - difficult to know what’s for the best

DD1 has just pointed out that they only have two more weeks with their form tutor, who has been with them since year 7. She's the only tutor that's made it through all five years with the same class and she's been brilliant at sorting out pastoral issues and generally being there for them as they grow up. Waaah! Too much is changing all at once!

Thanks for your food tips, I'll update my grocery order. Although I'm sure dd would live off Doritos and Kit-Kats if I let her.
It is all changing much too quickly. Seems like yesterday they were just starting secondary school

I am sorry to say that they are not allowed to use gel pens for the exams. (I am an invigilator). Apparently because over time the gel faes, something to do with scanning etc - not really sure - just know they can't be used).

After great HPQ and coursework we had a few tears over Physics practical but after discussion I am not sure it is as bad as DS fears!

I think mmzz was recommending the gel pens for normal lessons; the ban on gel pens in exams is why the other recommended pens are needed for exam time.

It's funny that the conversation has moved around to food because DS has just asked me if I will make pizza on Sunday? Not a chance!

High quality protein including fish, lots of fruit and vegetables, 2 litres of water a day, regular outdoor exercise and early nights are the only things in DS's immediate future. From now on, he has to be a well oiled machine! (Not too sure he was pleased at the thought!!)

Hi all. I have a literature question.

Roughly how many quotes are your dc learning per text? And does anyone know of a recommended list to make sure she hasn't missed any obvious ones?

Starting to panic now she's just realised there aren't any more English lessons because of when her exams are next week.

Oh dear, DS very down about exam today - chose to write a description of a building and was half way through an imaginary one when he decided he should write from personal experience and started again. Not ideal...

kick which texts?

I found a good list of R&J quotes on the TES website yesterday. There was one per character per theme, so about 25 in total. (That's a guess because I'm not looking at it now)

That's about par for the course from what I've seen of the texts DS's teacher gave them to memorise before the mocks.

Thanks mmzz.

Texts are R&J, A Christmas Carol and Animal Farm.

She has put some on flashcards as she's gone along so probably one per main character or theme but she wants to make sure she hasn't missed anything obvious.

Memrise is very good for quotes ...

www.memrise.com/courses/english/literature/

Kingscote - I am sure your DS would have been fine ..hope he manages to get outside with a cricket bat tomorrow and hit a few sixes to get this week's exams out of his system.

On the food topic, I asked DS what he wants for breakfast next week and he says porridge. He’s prepared to eat fruit with it. He then claimed he was also going to bed at 10: every night.
I give this one day!

I hope English exams went well (or at least better than you think, Kingscote.)

All calm here. First exam on Monday so last 'normal' day at school today. Weird.

Got hold of the exams officer today by email and DS3's Chinese tier has been sorted out. I then got an apologetic phone call from his teacher. Bit embarrassing as it didn't really merit an apology. The exam timetable states 'please check for any errors' so that's what we did.

Having a fairly relaxed weekend, trying to keep stress levels down. Going out for a meal tomorrow - DS3's choice of venue.

kingscote did he finish it? He may have changed because it wasn't going right... in which case maybe it was a good decision? Don't worry
DS also chose to write about a building. He said the first question was easy? Apparently they had to write a letter recommending school starts later. I'm sure every teenager was very inspired!!!!!
loose
Not sure if the CIE people missed my previous post with a very funny Downfall Hitler scene adapted to the first English Language paper... Just for laughs.

ABOUT GEL PENS
I have done a bit or research. There are gel pens that comply with ISO 12757-2 standard for archival ink related to resistance to water, light, acid, erasing... etc. They can be used for legal and documentary use. Therefore, those would be fine? I think Parker, Cross, Montblanc and Gelly Roll make them...

brainmelt
All gel pens are equal, but some are more equal than others.

thesecond

We played tennis after school tonight. I let her win. I'm definitely pandering to her.

We have a roast chicken lined up for tomorrow (she'll be hungry after a day of coaching) and steak in the fridge.

DH asked her if she had more exams next week after RS. Oh dear. He is normally more clued up on these things then me, as they have breakfast together each morning. He got quite a sharp response.

We also have a box of Mikados and a stack of Haribo for energy fixes.

DS1 also wrote about a building. He says it was 'ok'. I got the feeling it was a bit more of a standard format that the exam earlier in the week.

Kingscote I'm sure it will be ok. Much better to write something effective and shorter than ineffective and long. I think interrogating them too much after the event may just cause unnecessary stress (though I can't resist it).

I tidied up the pit (bedroom) today. I half thought I should just leave it but then thought I couldn't imagine how he could work or sleep in such a mess. He thanked me for it - such a surprise.

@Teenmum - thank you for the computer science revision link. We’ve subscribed and it’s proving very helpful already. Hopefully some time spent over the weekend will help her feel more prepared for Monday.

@mmzz - I’ve ordered the pens you recommended as DD has been struggling with wrist discomfort and has the essay packed History examinations looming. Hopefully, they’ll arrive tomorrow and she can see how they feel compared to her usual pens.

And to everyone else who wrote kind words - thank you, it’s really appreciated. GP was hugely sympathetic today and commended DD on her resilience and stoic attitude. Part of the nursing care I have to administer causes her more pain than she’s already in but she never complains.

She deserves good grades and the opportunities she’s chosen at her existing 6th form. Leadership staff are fully aware of what’s going on and are meeting with us soon to discuss everything.

As always, best wishes to you all.

Here's the list of R&J quotes I found yesterday. You have to create an account to download it, but otherwise its free.
www.tes.com/teaching-resource/romeo-and-juliet-quote-bank-11241963

Memrise could work too - it is really good for drumming things in using memory techniques. Actually now that i think of it, Seneca has Animal Farm, AIC and R&J too.

TBH Mr Bruff is the definitive source for all things English Lit.

Someone posted this in twitter. Even though it's about Sats I think this must be an amazing school.