Week 6

So, I'm cheating this week. Officially it's half term, but with uni commitments, I'm not really getting a half term. The university's dropped our seminars and tutorials, but replaced them with a 3 hour lecture on Monday (eurgh) and some project work; and the preparation for the first assignment. Due to all of this, I'm working through my Saturday and Sunday, then popping home for a few days.

So this week's been interesting. A slight schism feels as though it's developing in our group, which is a shame. I really hope that we can work through it as a group, rather than letting it become a big issue, especially as it seems to be one person isolating themselves.

We did our starters on Wednesday. The rest of the group had to pretend to be KS3 students, while we delivered starters on a given aspect of grammar. My partner and I were given 'Conjunctions'. Oh dear, oh dear. The group enjoyed our activities, but we were slightly sidetracked by a couple of people just not understanding how one word could be a subordinating, but not a co-ordinating conjunction. We did get through it, but I felt as though we'd done a really awful job. The feedback, however, was very constructive. I hope the feedback is similar when I'm observed in a real class.

School was great. A lack of sleep on Wednesday night meant that Thursday was a tough day, but I kind of had that 'running on empty' energy. The whole department was anticipating half-term though. Friday was a training day, based around safeguarding children. I'm very pleased I attended.

The rest of the group are bonding well. We're rallying together to share resources and help each other when someone's struggling with ideas. It's great to know that we're all there for each other.

So half term! Whoop! Today I'm gathering information for an assignment and tomorrow I'll be planning lessons that I'll actually get to teach in November. I'm very excited for that. Hopefully after half term I'll get to do some plenaries or starters too. I enjoy being a teaching assistant, but I think it's now time to get stuck in to the teaching. I think it'll help build my confidence and cement my role in the school, both in my own head; and in the eyes of the students.

Now to get my head around some more theory. Every conversation I've had with teachers in my school implies that, really, I only need the theory for this year- they never really use it again. I suspect that actually they are using it, but it's become embedded in their thought process that they don't realise it.

Enjoy the break!

Week 5

Sorry blogosphere, I've been very quiet this week. I've caught a cold that's turned into a chesty cough, so I'm spending most of my 'free' time sleeping in the hope that I'll be cured soon.

I have a routine. I am fairly over-organised. I find it helps me deal with things when they go wrong, so having routine...and a plan...settles my mind and me.

I'm really happy in our PGCE group. We've gelled really well. We had a group night out last week (on a school night!- big mistake, but a fantastic night out). We're all sharing ideas and asking each other for help; and there are no major cliques forming. It's a comfortable group to be in and around.

My placement's going well. I was only in one day last week due to the school closing on Friday - not illness. I refuse to let sniffles keep me away from placement. And there will be only one teaching day this week because of half term. I'm quite looking forward to going on my first ever Inset day though. I've no idea what to expect.

I'm getting to know the department, and the dynamics of the classes I'll be taking. I'm also beginning to get the chances to apply my university learning to the practice I see in school. It adds so much clarity.

Last week's focus was on communication. Thankfully, I was able to witness a fantastic lesson which left me with a million and one ideas about communicating with pupils, classroom management, lesson structure...the list goes on.

I'm getting quite excited about being able to teach some of the classes myself. I think I'll be given the opportunity to do some starters or plenaries after half term. In the meantime I've got one eye on my assignments and the other on the here and now. But I'm actually not panicking. Good sign.

Next post should be slightly more exciting because I should be slightly more healthy and, therefore, engaging.

Week 4

This post is an amalgamation of the last two weeks really.

I’ve completed my observation week. It was nice to see so many different subjects and teaching styles, to meet different members of school, and learn how the different departments function. I doubt I’ll see much of the other departments now as each has its own staffroom. Shame.

 

From now until the end of November I’m only in two days a week, which feels a bit weird, but I’m also grateful for the university time. I like the other members on the course and Uni is the only time that we really get to see other.

My first day this week did leave me feeling like a spare part (which I suppose, in a way, I am). Things improved on Friday though. I have been assigned a new mentor, who is lovely, and I have a provisional timetable for observations and for the classes I’ll be teaching when I’m there full time. I was flicking through the calendar yesterday and I really do not have a lot of time before I’ll be teaching classes. Exciting and terrifying.

Had a bit of a moment on Thursday when I sat there and stared at the pile of paperwork and assignments and planning that’s going to be required. Foolishly, I let it completely overwhelm me. Panic! Since then, I’ve broken it down. A lot of my initial planning will be to meet my first deadline (as the assignment involves planning, teaching and evaluating some lessons), so that’s manageable. At the moment, I quite like planning. Well, I like the ideas; I just need to refine them in accordance with specific foci, objectives and abilities.

While I say I don’t have a lot of time before I’m taking classes, the school I’m in also seems to be understanding enough to let me take things at my own pace. They’re not going to force me to take a class if we don’t think I’m ready. I think I’ll be ready though. Plus, this week has made me realise that, really, I don’t need (and am not expected) to be able to do everything at the moment.

Otherwise, I quite like the school (I was undecided at the end of last week). The kids are brilliant. I’m still a bit of a novelty to them, so they’re fairly well behaved around me. I intend to drag that out as much as possible. They are really funny though, and the department I’m in is full of friendly- and incredibly helpful- people.

Top Tip for this week: Don’t run before you can walk. Everything will come in good time. Just take it step by step.

And now it’s pouring with rain, which is a grim end to a blog, so instead I’ll leave you with this: it is, quite literally, a cup cake!

Novel Box

Apologies for not posting last weekend- I had a leaving party to attend, which involved quite a lot of travelling in a short space of time.

Anyway, as promised...here is the Novel Box post.

So the idea is that you introduce this box to the class prior to introducing the text they'll be studying. The Novel Box should be filled with things relating to the text in order to garner interest in the text. Where you go next with it is entirely up to you.

Here is my Novel Box:

It contains

• 3 letters, all addressed to Mrs Saville, England.
• A map featuring locations such as, Geneva, Mont Blanc and The North Pole
• Some test tubes
• A locket
• A copy of Paradise Lost

Can you guess the text?

Thanks!

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Thank you so much for reading, and commenting, and offering advice.