Well, I've just completed my first week in my second placement. Spent all week observing and working with small groups. Its amazing how quickly you settle in, learn the names and find your way around!
It's really different in this school. Its a middle school, (the last was a lower school), so yrs 5-8, and has a much more secondary feel. The kids move classrooms a lot, and I'm following them round. It means not have a single classroom as a real base, although I spent most of my time in the form room. Also means working with several different teachers, which is interesting and good for seeing lots of different styles etc.
I'm enjoying it, and settling in well, and its only 5 weeks (4 now) but I'm still kind of looking forward to getting back to my other school. Its weird, because in a way I feel more relaxed in the second placement (perhaps because I feel like me 'real' mentor isn't there, or because they don't have the same expectations of me, or something) but the safety of my 'real' school still beckons.
I'm having to plan and teach (by the looks of it) more by other peoples plans, and team teach (which essentially means feeling stifled) rather than doing all my own plans on my own. I guess it should be easier, but I liked the autonomy of being able to teach the way I wanted in my first placement.
Really looking forward to having my own class now. Not many jobs coming up at the moment. Cross fingers for me!
Friday, 22 February 2008
Thursday, 14 February 2008
Applying
Well, I've just dropped my application form in for the job I've seen.
Yesterday I went for the school tour. It was a group tour, about 6 of us. Four more tours going on later that day too. We were taken around by the Head and the school was absolutely lovely! I really liked it. She explained everything and showed us everywhere from the classrooms to the staff rooms.
All the advice says to chat to the children etc but there really wasn't much chance to do that. Or at least that's how I felt, since I didn't want to go disturbing the classes etc. There was a girl sitting reading in the reception area and one of our number stopped and asked her what she was reading...masterful stroke...she may well be remembered for doing that. Next time I'll try to remember to watch out for any handy kids knocking about!
It took forever to write the application up. I photocopied the form and practised writing it up. The supporting statement was the hard bit though. I had adapted my pool application statement, and then changed it again once I saw the advert, then adapted it again once I got their forms and letterstelling me about the school...and then changed it again once I'd been around the school to add a thanks for taking me on a tour of the beautiful school and mentioned something I liked about the school that I saw during the tour.
Dropped the application form in today. Deadline for it is a week next monday and shortlisting is the friday after that, so ages to wait to see if I manage to get an interview.
From everything I've seen and heard, it's quite early on in the year for NQT type jobs to come up, so not too worried yet. Must get those pool applications in!
Yesterday I went for the school tour. It was a group tour, about 6 of us. Four more tours going on later that day too. We were taken around by the Head and the school was absolutely lovely! I really liked it. She explained everything and showed us everywhere from the classrooms to the staff rooms.
All the advice says to chat to the children etc but there really wasn't much chance to do that. Or at least that's how I felt, since I didn't want to go disturbing the classes etc. There was a girl sitting reading in the reception area and one of our number stopped and asked her what she was reading...masterful stroke...she may well be remembered for doing that. Next time I'll try to remember to watch out for any handy kids knocking about!
It took forever to write the application up. I photocopied the form and practised writing it up. The supporting statement was the hard bit though. I had adapted my pool application statement, and then changed it again once I saw the advert, then adapted it again once I got their forms and letterstelling me about the school...and then changed it again once I'd been around the school to add a thanks for taking me on a tour of the beautiful school and mentioned something I liked about the school that I saw during the tour.
Dropped the application form in today. Deadline for it is a week next monday and shortlisting is the friday after that, so ages to wait to see if I manage to get an interview.
From everything I've seen and heard, it's quite early on in the year for NQT type jobs to come up, so not too worried yet. Must get those pool applications in!
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Another half term ended.
It was only 5 weeks but it's been a long half term for me.
My year 4s are still great but as we all get tired they are pushing me to see how far they can go with behaviour - although, they're really a bit high for others too, but more for me I think.
Have been reassured that I shan't be going back into KS1, which I'm really pleased about. I'm definitely a KS2 teacher!
Went to visit the middle school I'll be going to after half term and they seem great - very much want me to do what I need to do for my standards, and not what lessons they need covering. Phew!
The school is 4 times as big as the one I've been working in and is a different world! Everything works differently and I shall get completely lost. I can see the advantages though -loads more resources, loads more people to bounce idea off of. I'm, interested and excited in a nervous kind of way about going there.
I've written a supporting statement for NQT pool applications -and this week I've seen the first adverts for NQT suitable jobs in my area starting in Sept. I'm going to ring tomorrow to arrange a visit and get an application form. Scary!
Been ill all week with the most horrendous cold which is probably 80% sinus infection. I WILL go to the Doctors next week. I've been suffering since about October and I just haven't the energy any more!
When will the mornings get lighter and the days brighter?
It's bizarre - I enjoy teaching but it's such har work, and the mornings are so dark and glum, that I often don't feel like going in, even though I know that I enjoy most of the lessons and the kids are lovely.
Hoping that better weather and lighter mornings, and not being sick all the time, will improve matters.
Anyway, shouldn't be on here. I have a mountain of paperwork and assignments etc to get done. Holiday? What holiday?
My year 4s are still great but as we all get tired they are pushing me to see how far they can go with behaviour - although, they're really a bit high for others too, but more for me I think.
Have been reassured that I shan't be going back into KS1, which I'm really pleased about. I'm definitely a KS2 teacher!
Went to visit the middle school I'll be going to after half term and they seem great - very much want me to do what I need to do for my standards, and not what lessons they need covering. Phew!
The school is 4 times as big as the one I've been working in and is a different world! Everything works differently and I shall get completely lost. I can see the advantages though -loads more resources, loads more people to bounce idea off of. I'm, interested and excited in a nervous kind of way about going there.
I've written a supporting statement for NQT pool applications -and this week I've seen the first adverts for NQT suitable jobs in my area starting in Sept. I'm going to ring tomorrow to arrange a visit and get an application form. Scary!
Been ill all week with the most horrendous cold which is probably 80% sinus infection. I WILL go to the Doctors next week. I've been suffering since about October and I just haven't the energy any more!
When will the mornings get lighter and the days brighter?
It's bizarre - I enjoy teaching but it's such har work, and the mornings are so dark and glum, that I often don't feel like going in, even though I know that I enjoy most of the lessons and the kids are lovely.
Hoping that better weather and lighter mornings, and not being sick all the time, will improve matters.
Anyway, shouldn't be on here. I have a mountain of paperwork and assignments etc to get done. Holiday? What holiday?
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