Metalinguistic Awareness and Subitising!

So...today I was back in the Prep (Reception ) class that was my first foray into supply teaching back in February.The class teacher was going on a course at the school but she had sent me the planning the night before and was there in the morning to talk me through it.It was all pretty straightforward but I wasn't sure what the PMAP  work was so asked about that."Oh that's our Prep Metalinguistic Awareness Programme" said the class teacher."You are kidding me, " I said.She wasn't.She explained my activity even if I didn't understand it's overarching title. I was making Pterodactyl nests with sticks. The children got a stick to add to the nest if they could think of a word that rhymed with another word picked randomly."I've had to take the word 'duck' out of the pile," said the class teacher."In maths we have been subitising" said the class teacher. "Do you know what subitising is?"I had to admit I didn't." I had one parent come into me and say you've made that word up haven't you? But I haven't" said the class teacher. "Subitising is when you look at a group of things and know how many there are without having to count them."I have to say, despite all the metalinguistic awareness and subitising, the day went very smoothly and I think I almost enjoyed it. J, Z and little Sh were still there but oh, how they have changed. Z especially was a different boy and not a bit of trouble, J was still J and reminded me very much of Fidget and as for little Sh, well he was hardly a little Sh anymore and more  of a big Sh.There was a new girl, V who had just started this week. I couldn't understand a word she was saying as it was complete gobbledegook but surmised from her expression and the general nature of the conversation what she was saying."Tanadotollet?" ... was of course, "May I please relieve myself in the appropriate facilities?"I asked them all if they thought my hair had grown since I last saw them but they didn't think it had.I was out in the Bear Garden at lunchtime again, on duty. It actually started to rain but only a few spots. One girl came up to me in a flowing yellow rain cape."I'm pretending to be Santa," she said."Well, Santa," I said, " you look more like a big banana in that cape."A bit later Santa came up to me again. She was crying. J in my class had pushed her over.I found J and lead him to Santa."You've upset Santa!" I said."Sorry," he said sheepishly."I don't think that is good enough, " I said, " I think you should give her a hug."He hugged her."Would you like him to marry you now?" I asked Santa.I was surprised that she tearfully nodded."Will you marry Santa?" I asked J.He shook his head."Oh no!" I said, " Now you've upset Santa again."The day seemed to go a lot quicker than the last time and before I knew it it was the end of the day.I told them I thought I would have been back before now but their teacher was obviously far too healthy."Next time she's looking a bit peaky" I said, " say to her have a day off and call Mr Allen. Will you do that?"They said they would."Bi...Amtudoundabus" said V at the door.So I smiled and sent her off on the bus.Heck! I hope that's what she said.