GCSEs 2018 (8) Dozens of DCs, 1 DH and Flashcards in the fridge

[mmzz]

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stickerocks dgd pulled a sickie today

bluebelle but I want a 10!!!!!

You can have a 12 provided you go to bed now!!!!!!!

ROFL bluebelle going now to give you all a rest!

Here we go again! English lit papers 1 and 2, plus maths and physics this week. Only one per day which is good.

Interestingly DS's (independent) school now seems to pursuing a quality, not quantity, of GCSEs route. Already do a 3 year GCSE course, with the syllabus finished by end March then just revision lessons. Also any weaker subjects are dropped, and those likely to struggle switched to double science. So the message is very definitely that it's better to get 8 very good GCSEs that 10 with some that are lower.
I also heard something about universities looking at GCSE averages, so better to drop a weaker subjefor UCAS reasons too.

Good luck all today! I have a long drive to look forward to!

Wonderwine My DCs school give the same advice regarding better grade averages trumping larger numbers of GCSEs. They advise that only those seeking to go to medical school need do 3 sciences.
It makes sense.
I wish, however, that combined science was not the only other option, but that DC could take single sciences instead because you must be at a disadvantage going into sixth form and taking a science A level if you've only only done Combined Science?
If Combined Science is worth 2 GCSEs, then each science must be worth 2/3rds of a GCSE, reflecting 2/3rds of the curriculum so the single scientists in your A level class will come in having covered 50% more than you.

Apparently double science isn’t too much of a disadvantage for A level tho don’t know if that’s just spin.

But DS school give the option of combined (double), triple, or any two single ones. DS toyed with the idea of just doing physics and chemistry. Also going for quality - I was surprised how easily they agreed to dropping subjects during year 11 so Pupils could concentrate on any they were struggling with.

Good luck to everyone for English today

AQA English Lit Paper 1 today.

He has to be in early for an English "Wake Up" revision Session.

Then he has a 6th form interview this afternoon!

DS is very relaxed for English. When I asked him if he was ready, he replied that he was certain he can pull something together, whatever the question.
His relaxed approach is making me anxious! He's never found English easy to do well in before. When I asked what's changed he said it's Mr Bruff and all the revision he's done at home and school, which I suppose is a good answer. I'm still unnerved though that he isn't worried!
Good luck to everyone's DC today. For many if us, English today is the first GCSE that really matters.

Edexcel Geography this afternoon, too. Hurricanes and global development and stuff like that.

Teacher of English here

This year I have a v low achieving group who are entered for minimum number of exams - and even they have around 15 each. Their brains are fried.

In the meantime, we have some students at absolute burnout. Can't turn a corner without finding a stressed or weeping Y11.

Off to school in a minute to do last minute revision. Praying for Juliet and Scrooge as the questions to give my little darlings a chance

DS1 has a really obscure book today for English Lit, My Antonia - no I'd never heard of it either. Plus poetry - which he hates.

Then CIE Geography - skills paper.

Isolation between the two again so about to make the marmite sandwiches.

Beenrumbled - Good luck to your DS with the interview today...

Just Eng Lit today and in at 9 am and out at 11 am...timetable being very kind again because next exam is tomorrow afternoon.

My Antonia is Willa Cather, isn’t it? I can picture the green spine and remember loving it at the time, but apart from the fact that you emphasise the AN not the tonia, it’s gone from my memory.

Youreall really hope your students get the right questions!
Good luck to everyone taking English Lit and geography today!

Good luck all DC. DD has a streaming nose & an attitude to match this morning. Left her with DH for breakfast so I could don body armour for the school run with DD & chum in the car. Sparks are going to fly.

Good luck today all. Am just hoping that DS's hand lasts the distance in Geography this afternoon, which will be a whopping 3 hours 45 minutes for him with his 25% extra time.

Sandy I loved My Antonia but I can see that it would have limited appeal to a 16 year old boy!

beenrumbled good luck to your DS for the interview. And Sticker hope your DD feels better soon. Cold or hayfever?

Cherryburn, which exam board is that for geography?

thanks ot the previous poster who recommended the Ian Rankin documentary - DD found it really interesting. She was going through Jekyll and Hyde quotes last night, and there was one about "coming back from the end of the world", and I stopped her, remembering that the Worlds End pub in Edinburgh is in the Old Town, so that was Stevenson coming back from his night's "entertainment". She asked me if I was sure, googled it, and discovered that the only reason I remembered about it is because of Outlander, which is not exactly classic literature (hot men in kilts, and shagging from the female point of view, for anyone who hasn't come across it ) .

As her English is AQA we're expecting questions about how long it would take Lady Macbeth to boil some carrots .

It's Edexcel IGCSE mmzz. It's examined in a single 3 hour paper. So at least Geography will be done after today.

‘Describe what kind of cleaning fluid Lady Macbeth should use to out that damned spot. Explain your answer with reference to enzymatic action and bio contamination.’

Good luck for everyone today.
DD has English Lit and Geography today, will come home after school for some revision. And then into Manchester for the memorial/choir thing. I’d rather she stayed home, but she’s going with friends.