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jbalaena.bsky.social
Independent specialist in SpLD (M.Ed, AMBDA); previously English teacher & Glos LA Lead English Teacher. Dyslexia and dyscalculia specialist teacher. Wife, vicar’s wife, mama of 4, SEN parent carer. Neurodivergent. greatexpectationseducation.uk
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Ash Wednesday #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

How are the words ‘pancake’ and ‘placenta’ related? #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

It’s interesting that our ‘Shrove’ is so different to other European languages. The majority reference fasting - either with a form of that word, or with a link to ‘fat’. #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

I expected to find that ‘goblin’ came from a Germanic origin, but likely not! #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary #HarryPotter

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

I’ve lost count of the times we’ve listened to the ‘Harry Potter’ series in the car, but despite living only 15 mins away from the studios in Leavesden, this is the first time we’ve taken the boys. An influx of Harry Potter related words will now fill my page for the next week …

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

I think I saw a crocus earlier today … a glimmer of spring. #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 31 days ago • 0 comments

Earlier this week, I was discussing Anglo-Norman loan words with one of my students, particularly some of foodstuffs that were adopted following the Norman invasion. ‘Beef’ is one of those words, and it turned out he was making Beef Wellington after the lesson …

submitted 46 days ago • 0 comments

Earlier this week, I was discussing Anglo-Norman loan words with one of my students, particularly some of foodstuffs that were adopted following the Norman invasion. ‘Beef’ is one of those words, and it turned out he was making Beef Wellington after the lesson …

submitted 46 days ago • 0 comments

1/2 I spotted this sign in the summer, in France. I took a quick picture to remind myself to explore the word. Yesterday, I was looking at ‘Gawain and the Green Knight’ with one of my students, so it seemed the right time to take a deep dive. ⬇️

submitted 55 days ago • 1 comment

Happy January!

submitted 63 days ago • 0 comments

1/5 Today is the 6th January, which means it is Epiphany. Epiphany celebrates the Magi, or wise men, visiting Jesus. ⬇️

submitted 62 days ago • 4 comments

Snow day!

submitted 61 days ago • 0 comments

When I started processing the translations, I wasn’t sure French ‘gel’ was correct … but, once I reached Catalan ‘gelada’, I realised that of course, the Italian desert ‘gelato’ must be related …!

submitted 60 days ago • 0 comments

When I started processing the translations, I wasn’t sure French ‘gel’ was correct … but, once I reached Catalan ‘gelada’, I realised that of course, the Italian desert ‘gelato’ must be related …!

submitted 60 days ago • 0 comments

Snow day!

submitted 61 days ago • 0 comments

1/5 Today is the 6th January, which means it is Epiphany. Epiphany celebrates the Magi, or wise men, visiting Jesus. ⬇️

submitted 62 days ago • 4 comments

Happy January!

submitted 63 days ago • 0 comments

“We can begin a whole new year together,” said Frog. “We will skip through the meadows and run through the woods. In the evenings we will sit right here on this porch and count the stars.” “You can count them,” said Toad. “I’m going back to bed.”

submitted 67 days ago • 7 comments

‘Mistletoe’ - perhaps not the romantic origins we might have expected … Bird-poo-twig #dyslexiaspecialist #etymology #historicallinguistics

submitted 68 days ago • 0 comments

‘Mistletoe’ - perhaps not the romantic origins we might have expected … Bird-poo-twig #dyslexiaspecialist #etymology #historicallinguistics

submitted 68 days ago • 0 comments

1/4 If you’re looking for a new series of books for a 9+ interest level, then I whole-heartedly recommend ‘Taylor & Rose Secret Agents’ series. ⬇️

submitted 70 days ago • 3 comments

Sounds of the season: carols #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 72 days ago • 0 comments

Sounds of the season: carols #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 72 days ago • 0 comments

Day 23: mighty #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments

Day 24: Christ #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments

Day 25: saviour #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments

Day 25: saviour #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments

Day 24: Christ #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments

Day 23: mighty #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 74 days ago • 0 comments

I’m hoping to make a set of word cards each day during advent to share with my third son. Obvs I’m already behind, because I’ve only just finished, and he’s ‘asleep’. #adventcalendar #etymology #wordscards

submitted 98 days ago • 0 comments

Day 2 of advent brings us ‘birth’ #etymology #wordcards #advent #youwillnamehimjesus

submitted 97 days ago • 0 comments

On Day 3, I’m looking at the word pregnant - a state in my experience (x4) to be endured rather than enjoyed! #etymology #wordcards #advent #youwillnamehimjesus #adventcalendar2024

submitted 96 days ago • 0 comments

Not that ours will be up for a good few weeks!

submitted 96 days ago • 0 comments

Day 4: throne #morphology #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #dyslexia #spld #send #senco #sendco #literacy #reading #spelling #teachers #vocabulary

submitted 95 days ago • 0 comments

Day 5 is ‘holy’. This is a Germanic word, but it’s interesting to see the Italic translations, and how they link back to other words in English.

submitted 94 days ago • 0 comments

Day 6: dream (Additional slides in comments) #morphology #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #dyslexia #spld #send #senco #sendco #literacy #reading #spelling #teachers #vocabulary

submitted 87 days ago • 0 comments

Day 7: manger *I am informed by my vicar husband that these are not accurate depictions of 1st century Israeli mangers - apparently they were troughs dug into the ground.

submitted 87 days ago • 0 comments

A prickly word … (Additional cards in comments) #etymology #christmasetymology #linguistics #vocabulary #wordcards #dyslexiaspecialist #englishteacher

submitted 85 days ago • 0 comments

Day 11: Lord - who’d’ve thought it was something to do with bread!

submitted 83 days ago • 0 comments

Day 14 I’d always assumed that ‘babe’ was a shortening of ‘baby’, but it looks like the opposite is true … *the baby is one of my own. But I’m not entirely sure which. Maybe #4. #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 79 days ago • 1 comment

Day 15 ‘peace’ #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 78 days ago • 0 comments

Day 22: myrrh A more unusual origin for this word #etymology #reading #dyslexia #linguistics #teaching #spld #literacy #spelling #vocabulary

submitted 77 days ago • 1 comment