Julie Smith
Former midwife.
Studied with the OU interested in geology.
Love reading, nature and the environment.
Maths teaching assistant in a secondary school.
Location Near lichfield staffordshire
Achievements
Activity
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Julie Smith made a comment
Hi,
I am in the U.K, the midlands, near Lichfield.Interested in Earth Science, love learning.
Winter can be cold, foggy, frosty but low lying so somewhat protected from extremes.
Spring, mild and wet, changeable.
Summer warm may also be wet.
Autumn misty,wet can be stormy.Changes are more windy, stormy weather in autumn and spring. Fewer frosty,...
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Julie Smith made a comment
Simple life seems possible somewhere. But space and time are so vast the chances of meeting must be small.
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Julie Smith made a comment
How long does cortisol remain in the system?
What time scale are we considering here please? -
Julie Smith made a comment
This is really interesting, so much more time is needed than I realised for students to calm than I thought. It does, however explain a lot of their behaviour.
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Julie Smith replied to Laura Dyer
I know of a case where someone involved with a child was sure there was neglect and possible abuse. The child has since been diagnosed with ASD. The adult is still convinced the child's problems are due to trauma not ASD.
The reason they feel this is because for a time when she was involved with the child all symptoms began to disappear. -
Julie Smith made a comment
Hello,
I work as a teaching assistant in a secondary school. we have had students in the past who have suffered trauma and wish to know more about this subject. -
Julie Smith made a comment
Walking on my own in the dark.
Talking to my husband, family and colleagues at work.
Being well informed.
Mindfulness.
Having to be strong to support others.
In no order of importance. -
Julie Smith replied to Libby Witney
@LibbyWitney with only a small number of students in school it has allowed relationships to deepen as we now see students all day everyday and not just in single lessons.
It has also built a better sense of community with projects such as a food bank and building a memorial wall. However, it may not be so good for those working alone at home.
At home... -
Julie Smith made a comment
Hard for the students who have to collect books as everyone will know why they are there. This opens the door to embarrassment and esteem issues and bullying.
Where I work books would be collected at the start of the day from head of year or learning support. This ensures the need for equipment is discreet and in this situation would avoid the issues mentioned. -
Julie Smith made a comment
light, warm and tidy. warmth is difficult in covid times as windows are open and the rooms can be draughty for students. cramped rooms can be an issue. I find science labs difficult rooms as the stools are not good for students to sit comfortably on!
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Julie Smith made a comment
I grew up with this bias that girls cannot do things like woodwork and its pointless educating them. When I left home I decided i would do those thing I had been told I could not. I did woodwork classes and got my degree. I have two strong daughters now too. But thinking about this made me wonder if I now had a bias against males always thinking they want to...
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Julie Smith made a comment
Honesty, trust, love
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Julie Smith made a comment
I agree, don`t take things personally but also each day is a new start.
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Julie Smith made a comment
I believe it should be taught at home, questions answered as a child grows and in a supportive, honest way. This does not always happen so to ensure everyone learns about this topic it needs to be taught in schools. It is a part of life everyone should know about.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Anxiety is a normal part of life. How we deal with it...or not is the issue.
This is a useful guide and shows that very ages brings with it anxiety. -
Julie Smith made a comment
Stumbling blocks may be remembering how sound and light travel, how to use the vent diagram.
Reading the text could be a difficulty for some students as they require a reader.
Reviewing previous work from notes or discuss with group to encourage recall key facts before starting activity. -
Julie Smith made a comment
Differentiation is about knowing your students and their strengths and weaknesses and using strategies that best help and support their learning where they are.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Hi ,
I am a teaching assistant in predominately working is a secondary school maths department.
I often work with struggling students within the classroom as well as working 1-1 and have a small numeracy group.
I am looking to improve my skills to better support these students.
Julie -
Julie Smith made a comment
Hello, I am in th UK, I studied Earth science and really enjoyed the work on evolution.
I have a couple of books on the mass extinctions I keep meaning to read but never get around to! This course, I think will bea more engaging way into the subject. -
Julie Smith made a comment
I have just read an article that says that 70%of children diagnosed with ADHD have a sleep disorder not ADHD. Is there any truth in this?
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@AlannaNelson i worked with an extremely bright young man with ADHD and agree with all your comments. He grasped things very quickly and was soon bored as he had often masted the task way before everyone else. When he was free to move on to other things he was much calmer and engaged for longer.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Medication seems to be a delicate balance between quality of life and side effects.
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Julie Smith replied to Julie Smith
Thanks for that. However, the student I had in mind seemed to have no behaviour support and no one seemed to discuss the condition with him. I did manage to show him a very positive video which he seemed to appreciate but other that that no one seemed to discuss it with him. He is Avery intelligent young man and I felt very sad we could not support him in a...
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Julie Smith made a comment
I have seen medication used on these students and they themselves feel it masks who they really are. However, in a classroom setting with out medication they would make teaching other students often difficult or impossible. This is not good for either party.
I do feel they need more support with managing behaviour and emotions related to diagnosis as the... -
Julie Smith made a comment
Looking forward to this last week especially classroom management.
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Julie Smith made a comment
My views have not changed about the time it takes for diagnosis.
However, diagosis seems more complex that I thought. It seems harder than I thought to tease out what is going on from other possible issues.
Those who are high functioning and well supported would appear to be at a disadvantage when it comes to diagnosis.
The use of brain scans would, I... -
Julie Smith made a comment
Lack of knowledge, lack of time, lack of funding.
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Julie Smith made a comment
My though after listening to this is, how much neurodiversity is there in the human population?
Are things such as ADHD, dyslexia and the like not 'abnormalities' but part of the diversity for us as a species?
This would mean we should not view them as problems just differences. The systems we use such as education are designed to meet the needs of most of... -
The issues seem to be getting a diagnosis and understanding from others when a diagnosis is given.
It is very easy to criticise professionals, schools, the system but everyone i am sure is under pressure and wants to do their best for all children.
I like the comment,
"Don’t assume that schools are the experts but build a professional, constructive... -
Julie Smith replied to Julie Smith
Sadly schools and parents no longer seem to support each other and work together. Each child is unique and special but too many are lost in a system that is based on results that seem to have little reguard for the needs of those who are different or struggling. Teachers work so hard to meet their needs but classes are too big and data too important and many...
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Julie Smith made a comment
Yes this stereotype still exists where I work. I found it hard to get people to accept that a student I worked with was not "choosing " to behave this way and this made dealing with him more difficult. There was no consistency.
I also felt his behaviour was linked to anxiety. I'm not sure if this is likely but I felt he was defiant and difficult in... -
Yes, I was wondering the same. Is it just that they no longer meet the criteria as they are adults measured on a children's scale? Does this mean we need a set of indicators for adults? Or do they learn to manage their condition?
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Julie Smith made a comment
Yes, I was wondering the same. Is it just that they no longer meet the criteria as they are adults measured on a children's scale? Does this mean we need a set of indicators for adults?
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Julie Smith made a comment
It has deepened my understanding. ODD explains some of the behaviour I have seen and were not just down to the student I work with choosing to be difficult. I already feel the insight I have gained will affect how I deal with him.
Some things one learns by trial and error but my new understanding means I will be better prepared in the future to meet his... -
Julie Smith made a comment
Working in a secondary school I have been supporting a young man with ADHD.
Much of his behaviour was described as "his poor choice." I do not feel,this is correct and wanted to understand him more. I hope this course will give me better insight into understanding and helping him.
ADHD to me is an over alert brain. -
Julie Smith made a comment
Really surprised to read "75% of mental health difficulties like depression start before a child reaches their 18th birthday."
This makes identifying it in young people really important. -
Julie Smith made a comment
I work as a teaching assistant in a secondary school. Over the past few years I have become aware that we seem to have more children who are"unhappy."
This has an impact on learning. I want to know how I can support these students and maybe gain insight into why this is happening and if my observations are correct. -
Julie Smith made a comment
I a am going to try learning multiplication tables by singing!
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Julie Smith made a comment
The language we use is so powerful!
This is important for all students.
Girls are more likely to be praises for their looks than working hard on a maths problem I think. -
Julie Smith made a comment
Please can someone explain why do girls appear to be not so good at collaboration.
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I am a teaching assistant, mainly working in maths. I have noticed that girls need and seek more reassurance that they are correct. When in with boys they are often quieter and less inclined to join in.
I do not feel it is the style of teaching that is different between boys and girls any more that between individuals. However, I have found that girls work... -
Also happened recently in the school I work at.
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Julie Smith made a comment
I think that what the teacher does is very important but often it can be the expectations of there peers that has an impact....how they are expected to behave.
The culture in. A maths class I work in(top set,year 10) has a young male teacher who has very high expectations for all students but girls are flourishing because he expects them to take risks and... -
I have a daughter who was very successful in school and university and now struggles in the work place. She is under estimated and undervalued compared to her male colleagues.
I agree with the statement that women too often try to please and do not have the confidence to question those around them.
In school girls are expected to be passive and compliant,... -
Julie Smith made a comment
Hi, I am Julie, I work in a secondary school as a teaching assistant. My role includes mentoring year 11 female .students.
Growing up education was discourage by my father as a waste for girls who only get married! I hated this limiting attitude and studied, with the support of my husband, to get a degree. I have two grown up daughters and it saddens me how... -
Julie Smith made a comment
I recently bought a home weather station which is great fun as I can download information onto my computer.
I also use the in car thermometer as I drive to and from work. It is quite easy to see the temperature change by 1-2 degrees c as I travel through the city from a rural area or over higher ground. -
Julie Smith made a comment
Map 2 tropical continental air, high pressure area to east, warm continental air over much of uk. Dry, high pressure so air hold more water vapour, no cloud and little wind as isobars far apart. No convection. Windy on coast of Scotland as isobars closer together. Given the time of year cooler at night, with possibility of early morning fog.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Good video
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Julie Smith replied to Julie Smith
Thanks, that makes sense.
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Julie Smith made a comment
why does the cold front travel faster and catch up with the warm front?
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Julie Smith replied to Jason Organ
Thanks it really explained things well.
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Julie Smith replied to Jason Organ
Thank you, very useful.
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Julie Smith made a comment
BBC weather and I like world radar app as like to look at a couple of places around the world. I look to see what the weather is like in these places rather than to see what is going to happen.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Working as a maths teaching assistant, I love maths and have learnt that feeling confident and safe play a huge part in learning maths. Worst experience I had was panic when taking a level maths and not doing very well. Finally destroyed that demon! Just want to keep learning.
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I prefer the 10 min one as I don't get stressed thinking of all the other things I should be doing. 10 mins I have a good chance of doing daily and keeping up with, anything longer at the moment I think will put me off.
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I did fall asleep!
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Julie Smith made a comment
I am savouring the memory of my wonderful holiday, it is keeping me going when I feel down.
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Julie Smith made a comment
When I thought about a situation when I was angry I did not realise initially I was clenching my teeth. I know I do this in my sleep and have broken several teeth, but I did not realise I did it when awake and experiencing strong emotions.l holding my checks in my hands helped me to relax my jaws. A useful exercise I will try again.
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I know exactly what you mean. I have melt downs when it gets too much. I always feel when things go wrong it's my fault even if it is way beyond my control.
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Julie Smith made a comment
This is my first experience of meditating. I have tried to do it at least once a day, before getting up and in an evening. I also try to be aware of my breathing when I find my mind wander at work. I feel less tired, more alert and generally calmer. If I miss doing a meditation I really miss it. I hope I can continue with it long after the course.
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Julie Smith replied to Julie Smith
It seemed the natural think to do because I feel so much better just doing the short meditation each day. I do it in bed before I get up which, I think, helps me start the day in a better frame of mind.
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Julie Smith made a comment
I am terrible for talking on the phone whilst playing on my I pad and then find I have not listened to a word the other person has said! I have now stopped doing this.
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Julie Smith made a comment
I have been doing the meditation each day. Whilst at work I try to focus ,just for a few seconds at a time , on being aware of my body and breathing which has all helped me to stay focused on what I am doing. I feel more relaxed,alert and less tiered and stressed. I have also noticed I am having more vivid dreams but unlike before I do not wake tired from...
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Julie Smith made a comment
I am really enjoying this course, far more than I thought I would. The meditations make me feel more alert during the day, more int he moment. I found it harder to focus when stressed but I hope with practice this will get easier. I feel I have already come a long way with regards to dealing with stress and enjoying the moment, thanks
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I found as I was gentler with myself my mind came back to the breathing more easily.
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I find time passed very quickly too, it really surprised me.
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I would like to know too as I cannot work out how to do it.
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Julie Smith made a comment
I felt relaxed but more aware of my surroundings. The recording helped me to focus. Tried it on my own but preferred the recording as it meant i was not thinking about the time, this was particularly useful when using it in the morning before work. I did feel more focused at work and concentrated better.
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I did exactly the same for the same reason, I was not prepared to give out so much information as I saw no reason why it was necessary.
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I know exactly what you mean. The act of writing with a pen is very tactile and I too feel far more connected than when typing.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Really made me aware of how unaware I am of my body normally! Very relaxing and when I open my eyes I felt I was very much in the room not l"in my own world," I liked it very much.
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Julie Smith replied to David Dean
That is the question I would like answered as I feel if we can get to that we will be closer to understanding the problem.
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Well put, I agree with what you say. All aspects play a role and one may not be dominant all the time. I imagine, no evidence to support this, that drugs fill a gap chemically but do not allow the body to produce or do what is needed to produce a permanent change,. A more permanent change could be the result of changing behaviour s or feelings. I think we pick...
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Surely parents need to be taught to be parents? Manners etc begin to be taught before school begins and reinforced and upheld by schools. A parent is responsible for only a small number of children a teacher for many children. children always look to parents first for a model of behaviour. Rather than expect schools do do it all we should be supporting parents.
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Well said, I agree with your comment we are the sum of all our parts,
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Julie Smith replied to Tracey Norman
I like what you say. I think were are the sum of the interplay between all components. The genetics that forms the basic structure of our physical structure, the genes that our expressed, the way life treats us and has treated us and our Miriad of interactions between each as well as our nutritional status and the chemical environment we inhabit. I think all...
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Julie Smith replied to Jane Ellison
Stigma , I think, is the result of fear, fear comes from lack of understanding. The more we all understand about how we tick the less fear we will have of things we currently don't understand. If we are not afraid then there will be less reason to stigmatise those with mental illness.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Drugs do seem to work, but I wonder if they just fill in where something is missing rather than help the body to regain its natural balance. Can drugs make things worse by interfering with a feedback mechanism and reduce the body's abilities to produce said chemicals itself?
Too often drugs deal with the symptoms but don't help solve the problem that set off... -
Everyone's, genetics, biology and life experience will be different so the interactions all these thing will be different for each of us. The possible interactions must be phenomenal and trying to untangle them nearly impossible and trying to determine which causes what nearly impossible at the moment. This is really fascinating stuff, very interesting.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Biomedical 26
Psychosocial 28 -
Julie Smith made a comment
What an inspiration! I currently work with a student who has started to hear voices. This student has had a terrible upbringing and is hospital having attempted suicide because of the voices. This video has changed my view of the outlook from total
Pessimism to one of hope. -
Interesting, I have a daughter who was born anxious! Was upset when left alone in a cot, very different from my other two children. Even now as an adult despite our best efforts she still suffers from anxiety, I am interested to know if my. State of mind before she was born played a part. She has an older brother with downs syndrome. My youngest child is very...
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Julie Smith replied to Rowanna Smith
I agree, unrealistic expectations are a cause for concern. I can't remember now where I heard it said that it is not being poor of itself that causes problems but perceiving everyone better off than oneself, this together with the attitude that you can do anything you want to if you want it enough giving unrealistic expectations leads to many feeling...
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I agree you are making a lot os sense.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Interesting. It seems to me it is easier to treat the symptoms but not get to the underlying cause of mental illness. My mum has a break down some years ago and ended up having ect, it helped but the problem was living with my dad and the way he treated her which was never addressed.
I have two daughters, one grounded and sensible and the other suffers from... -
Julie Smith made a comment
Having come into increasing contact with people suffering from mental illness I have begun to wonder where it all stems from. I hope this course will help me understand better. I trained as a nurse many years ago and did a short secondment to psychiatry and remember someone saying that if someone has a mental illness to find the cause look at those around...
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Julie Smith made a comment
Sounds interesting, looking forward to it.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Hi, I am a teaching assiatant in a secondary school in the uk. I am becoming more aware of a rise in mental health issues among the students I work with. I hope this course will help me be better equipped to support them.
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Julie Smith replied to carla wilsher
Well said, i agree with you. What is describe as poverty here is nothing to what a large part of the world has to deal with.
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Julie Smith replied to Julie Smith
Abiy I agree we are completely. We are the system, we vote and parties get our votes because they say(mostly) what we want to hear. No one wants tax increase to play for these things.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Yes excellent thank you to everyone who put it together.
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Work isant the ony thing that is important, valuing people for they are not what they do is important. Work and being there aren't mutually exclusive, I have had to find work that fits in with being a carer of a special needs child.i hope my other children see that they are always first and that as long as we have enough we are happy.
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What about making it easier for parent to care for there own children rather than pay someone else? We love our own children more than anyone else. Parents should be supported to care for there own children and not have the added stress of leaving them with strangers while they go out to work. If children are to come first parents need to be valued and...
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Julie Smith replied to carla wilsher
Poverty in this country is very different from poverty in some countries where they do not have access to clean water, medical treatment etc which we take for granted.. We have poverty here in terms of lack of social cohesion.
Children often do not come first in families were there is money. Too often children are paid of to be out of parents hair, mothers... -
Julie Smith made a comment
We live in a greedy society that wastes and squanders all our resources. The ever increasing need for "more stuff" which we don't need will only make poverty an increasing problem.
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Julie Smith made a comment
Does vulnerability lead to poverty or poverty lead to vulnerability? Just wondering how we know which is cause and which is effect, does it matter? If we solve one can we solve both or do we have to address both equally?
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Julie Smith replied to Gail Millar
I did the same for the same reasons.
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Julie Smith made a comment
"Lies, damned lies, and statistics" is a phrase describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments
So many people use statistics to justify there argument with little or no understanding of how to use them!
We need to look at the bigger picture of what is going on with the lives of these young people,... -
Julie Smith made a comment
Where is the support for Billy's mum? He wants and needs his mother. If she was supported he would be less at risk.
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Julie Smith replied to Lianne McCormack
I chose these for the same reasons.