Growing Week in my Primary School

[madderbat]

Johnty, it is really wonderful. Congratulations to everyone involved. It warms my heart to see it, and I hope it will outlast you all!

(Did you ever find out what your nickname is - and will you tell us?)

[johnty greentoes]

Johnty, it is really wonderful. Congratulations to everyone involved. It warms my heart to see it, and I hope it will outlast you all!

(Did you ever find out what your nickname is - and will you tell us?)

Apparently I don't have one - although I was foolish enough to leave the Vine visible on my latptop this lunchtime and some child asked me who Johnty Greentoes was this afternoon.

[madderbat]

Apparently I don't have one - although I was foolish enough to leave the Vine visible on my latptop this lunchtime and some child asked me who Johnty Greentoes was this afternoon.

Oh well, if that's how you want it, since you chose it it's not so bad???? (Does it count as a real nickname if it's not given?)
Reminds me of Jennings first book. Darbyshire discovers that a nickname is OE 'Eek name' or 'other name'. Things we learn from books eh?

[Hazel at the Hill]

Well done...until time anon...

I totally add my congrats to the others - there are some things that you remember from being, like, 8 yrs old, and this will be one of them for your pupils - long after they have reunions and meet up when they are all 40 or 50 running conversations along the lines of ' ....do you remember that time we all had to do that that tree thing - willow structure for Mr whatsit...?...remember?...who was that chap who sorted it...hobbity foresthands...no, that wasn't it.....jobly yellowhammer....something like that....'

It will certainly be your legacy to both your school and that generation. Be proud of what you've all done.

[Flummery]

It's really impressive Johnty. I hope we'll see a few more pics as the season progresses.

How did you explain Johnty Greentoes to the child? Where I come from (Manchester/Cheshire border) Ginny Greenteeth was a mythical water sprite - used as a threat of course - 'Don't go near the water, Ginny Greenteeth will get you'. There's a possibility in 'Don't damage the willow sculpture, Johnty Greentoes will get you'. However, I much prefer the truth. 'Don't go near the water, you can't swim!'

Flum

[johnty greentoes]

It's really impressive Johnty. I hope we'll see a few more pics as the season progresses.

How did you explain Johnty Greentoes to the child? Where I come from (Manchester/Cheshire border) Ginny Greenteeth was a mythical water sprite - used as a threat of course - 'Don't go near the water, Ginny Greenteeth will get you'. There's a possibility in 'Don't damage the willow sculpture, Johnty Greentoes will get you'. However, I much prefer the truth. 'Don't go near the water, you can't swim!'

Flum

Flum

Totally fascinated by this Ginny Greenteeth thing - where does the myth originate.

I chose Johnty Greentoes as it's sort of my name and sort of describes what a crap grower I am.

[johnty greentoes]

I totally add my congrats to the others - there are some things that you remember from being, like, 8 yrs old, and this will be one of them for your pupils - long after they have reunions and meet up when they are all 40 or 50 running conversations along the lines of ' ....do you remember that time we all had to do that that tree thing - willow structure for Mr whatsit...?...remember?...who was that chap who sorted it...hobbity foresthands...no, that wasn't it.....jobly yellowhammer....something like that....'

It will certainly be your legacy to both your school and that generation. Be proud of what you've all done.

You comments are, as always, very kind and most welcome. I don't assume that my influence on those I teach will be as momentous as the way you describe - but you are right, that is the dream, to leave a positive influence on all those that cross your path.

Thanks again HATH.

[madderbat]

Flum

Totally fascinated by this Ginny Greenteeth thing - where does the myth originate.

I chose Johnty Greentoes as it's sort of my name and sort of describes what a crap grower I am.

But it has a feel of growing, from the ground up Johnty, makes me think of Lord of the Rings Tom Bombadil - your cousin I presume?

[Flummery]

Johnty, the character occurs in the North-east (Lancashire, Cheshire, North Shropshire) and is known as Ginny, Jinny or Jenny Greenteeth . It's thought to come from Slavik origins - like the Rusalka stories. However, some botanist has suggested that the story originated because Lemna minor, the small duckweed, covers watercourses in the summer months and is, of course, green. I don't see the connection! I just like the name and my children know the character though not, I hasten to add, as a threat.

Flum

[johnty greentoes]

But it has a feel of growing, from the ground up Johnty, makes me think of Lord of the Rings Tom Bombadil - your cousin I presume?

...thanks madderbat...my intention was to contrats greenfingers with greentoes - but I like the connotation you a]ha ve found.

[Flummery]

I read LOTR 5 times but I confess to skipping over the Tom Bombadil bits the last 4 times. His distressing tendency to talk in iambic pentameter totally did me 'ed in.

Flum

[Hazel at the Hill]

....is known as Ginny, Jinny or Jenny Greenteeth ....
Flum

Terry Pratchet slipped a similar named character into his series for younger readers....he seems to take all sorts of folklore and give it a pratchet twist!

[johnty greentoes]

Now listen up. What started out as a self congratulatory tour aound a wonderful school project has turned into a thread about the relative merits of Tolkien and Pratchett.

Focus people.

[Flummery]

Sorry Sir, minds wandering there a bit. If we stop looking out of the window can we still go out at playtime?

Flum