My first week

Wednesday
We went over the Teaching Standards again and looked through our handbooks regarding a variety of form templates, from lesson observation forms to planning forms for maths and English. Our lecturer guided us through the basics but we were informed that we would learn more about planning at a later date when it becomes more relevant. We talked about the professional responsibilities of a teacher and all the things that teachers are required to do. In the afternoon we looked at the pen portraits which will be used to assess our progress throughout the course and we also looked at our individual training plans. Before we were allowed to leave we were given our MA Education assignment information – tomorrow we have our first Masters lecture… scary!

Thursday
In the morning, we had our first music session with a teacher and music coordinator. She was a really nice lady and got everyone involved in singing along with her. It was amazing how reluctant people were at first but by the end of the session we were harmonising using our ‘best singing voices’. Some of the tips and techniques from the session will definitely come in handy.

In the afternoon the unions came which meant… free stuff! I now have 3 spare tote bags, spare stationary, wall planners (which I needed) and a stress ball in the shape of a brain. I’ll write a post on unions soon.

After lunch we started our first Masters lecture, which was very information heavy but at least I know what I’m supposed to do for my assignment now, phew! I will also explain this in another post.

Friday
We met our professional tutor who will be guiding us throughout the duration of the year. The people who I will be in school with for the next few weeks came together to find out what we will be doing when we go into school next week. Basically we need to do observations and research which should be really interesting.

I didn’t feel very well today; I had a sore throat last night, one of those that make you feel like you’re constantly swallowing sandpaper! Hopefully if it’s a cold, I will recover and be immune before I go into school!

We talked about how to survive on the course. It was reassuring to know that help and support is always available and it’s okay to make mistakes because we are still learning.

So that’s the first week complete! It’s been really interesting, long and paperwork heavy but I am looking forward to going into school next week as a trainee teacher. I’ve got a few bits to do over the weekend regarding research and reading. I may just go for a run/long walk round the local lake, depending on the throat situation. I will keep you updated soon with how everything is going.

Rachel

First day nerves!

Well today felt like the first day of school; I was a bag of nerves as I ate my breakfast this morning, anticipating the day ahead – I had finally made it, this was the day I had waited so long for – my first day as a trainee teacher.

To be fair, it was a good day; it was very information heavy, needless to say. The morning lecture lasted from 9 – 12.30, by which time I was starving because there was so much to take in and remember that my brain was on overload and I was in serious need of some energy. Our lecturer took us through a PowerPoint about ‘Teaching and Learning’ and we went through all the legal responsibilities and signed our contacts for the course. After a much needed lunch break we did a few activities which I understood to be icebreakers because we had to split into partners to do a few activities. We learnt about our ePortfolio and the teaching standards. Then we were free to go (and have a lie down, haha).

I found the day really valuable and I met some really nice people. Everyone I’ve spoke to so far seems genuine and friendly, all eager to start the next journey in their/our lives.

Admittedly I was a little bored as we finished early so I went and had a walk around the area. The weather was ideal and it seemed a shame to waste it. Quite suddenly I became homesick, I’m not sure what triggered it, but I started thinking about things like my dad’s cooking, conversations with my mum, taking my dog for a walk, holding hands with my fiancé… I felt alone I suppose. I’m still adjusting to my new life and my feelings are still raw. I’m hoping that by half term in a few weeks I’ll feel much more at home here and less dependant on my memories of home.

It’s been an interesting and long day! I’ll write another post once this induction week has finished 🙂 Now it’s time to relax before another busy day tomorrow.

Rachel

It all begins tomorrow!

I apologise for the lack of posts in the last few weeks, the reasons of which I will explain in this post. It’s finally time to get out the pens, diary and sticky notes as tomorrow is the day I start my PGCE! It’s basically an introduction day, registration, documentation, etc… I’m interested to see the other trainees and the lecturers; I can imagine it’s going to be a real assortment of people with different backgrounds and stories to tell. I’m looking forward to getting to know people – evidently we are all in the same boat so I think there will be quite a few restless nights tonight.

Although I’m excited to start my course, I have made the difficult decision to leave behind my fiancé and our dog to come to a university over 200 miles away. I knew it would eventually happen, because I have known about my place on the course since January but now I’m here it’s been quite tough. The first night without my fiancé I cried and cried, resulting in buying eye drops for my very bloodshot eyes! I hated saying goodbye but I know it’s not forever and FaceTime really does help, especially when I get to see my dog! 🙂

I’m currently living in a house with 7 other people – I’m the only student, they are all professionals and this is what I prefer. My PGCE year isn’t about partying or being a stereotypical student; I’m going to need all the peace and quiet I can get! The people here drift in and out so I’ve had time to relax and rejuvenate myself before I start tomorrow. They seem nice enough so I can’t complain 🙂 and it’s made the transition down here easier.

Well, I’ll try and write another post at the end of this week to keep you updated! Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Rachel

Trainee teacher booklist

Here is a list of the books I have bought so far for September:

• ‘Beginning Teaching, Beginning Learning in Primary Education’ – Janet Moyes
• ‘The Lazy Teacher’s Handbook’ – Jim Smith
• ‘Learning to Teach in the Primary School’ – James Arthur, Teresa Grainger, David Wray
• ‘Teaching Skills for Dummies’ – Sue Cowley
• ‘Reflective Teaching’ – Andrew Pollard
• ‘Achieving QTS: Successful Teaching Placement’ – Jane Medwell
• ‘Achieving QTS: Primary English – Knowledge and Understanding’ – Medwell
• ‘Achieving QTS: Primary Mathematics – Knowledge and Understanding’ – Mooney
• ‘Achieving QTS: Primary Science – Knowledge and Understanding’ – Peacock
• ‘Achieving QTS: Assessment for Learning and Teaching’ – Briggs
• ‘Achieving QTS: Teaching Arts in Primary Schools’ – Penny
• ‘Achieving QTS: Professional Studies’ – Jacques
• ‘Reflective Reader: Primary Special Educational Needs’ – Soan

I’m aware that this list might seem a little exhaustive and you’re probably wondering how I managed to afford so many books when many teaching books are so expensive. Well, I bought most of them second hand for a few pounds each! Originally I was looking on all kinds of websites and in bookstores but they were ridiculously over-priced. I really wanted to do some reading before the course started so I had a good idea of how to plan, assess, observe, etc whilst on placement. In total I have spent about £30 on books, which could have cost me over £100 if I bought them new. Some people say that you shouldn’t buy all the books recommended to you by your university or course, but I love to read and I wanted to mentally prepare myself before September. I’m not expected to know everything before then, but it definitely helps to know your stuff so that you can cope better with the demands of the course.

I bought most of my books on eBay and World of Books. If you are interested in buying second hand books to help you with your studies (regardless of what course you are doing), look for ones in ‘Very Good’ condition (‘Like New’ would be preferable, but we all know most study books aren’t going to be like that!) and buy books in ‘Good Condition’ as a last resort. Don’t buy books listed as ‘Acceptable’ because they may have been previously highlighted in, scribbled in, have pages torn out… let’s not go there! I hate books that haven’t been looked after!

For my next post I will try and write a review on the first book I read an completed from the list, which is ‘Successful Teaching Placement’ by Jane Medwell. The book was very helpful and well written!

Before I go, I’d like to thank everyone who has followed my blog and liked my posts so far! It means a lot! 🙂

Rachel

Behaviour Management

One of the most challenging aspects of being a teacher is behaviour management. This also happens to be one of my weaknesses and is something I need to control once I become a trainee teacher. I tend to go for the calm approach when I am faced with bad behaviour, when I should be raising my voice and showing my disapproval. In my head, the scenario is different. I raise my voice, give a speech on how disappointed I am and the child responds in a positive way. Unfortunately, the good old-fashioned telling off is rubbing off on today’s generation of children. They are so used to being shouted and screamed at by their parents at home, that when they are being told off in school it has little to no effect. Today I had to tell a child off (I work as a teaching assistant) who persistently ignored my instructions for him to move places and when punishment was mentioned, he replied with ‘So what?‘.

Throughout my education, I always had respect for my teachers, even the ones I didn’t like very much. I knew it was wrong to answer back or argue with a teacher, yet I have witnessed such events in the school where I work and it shocks me. Children don’t have the same respect for adults as they used to. This is something that I really want to work on as a trainee teacher. It is important to develop a behaviour management plan or strategy that will work for both the teacher and class, creating a positive learning environment. Another thing that concerns me is manners! There are not as many ‘Please’ or ‘Thank you’s anymore and some children want, want, want… then get, get, get. Is it silly to think that all children should be taught, maybe once a week, how to use manners? Even if it was for 15 minutes, I think it would make a big difference and could help improve relationships within the classroom.

I have a lot of ideas of what I expect from a class and I musn’t be afraid to show my assertiveness. We must remember that no school and no class is the same. On a teaching placement, you might be given a horrible class with no respect and no manners… or you might be given a class full of angels who hang on to your every word. Either way, tailor your behaviour management plan or strategies so that they are specific and relevant to all children in that class.

Here are some links to websites which I have found useful:
http://headguruteacher.com/2013/01/06/behaviour-management-a-bill-rogers-top-10/
http://www.theguardian.com/society/joepublic/2010/feb/09/pupil-behaviour-management-tips
http://www.huntingenglish.com/2013/12/10/top-ten-tips-behaviour-management/

Hopefully when I start my teaching placements, I will be able to reflect upon and share with you how my behaviour management progresses. In a way I am glad I’ve been able to experience bad behaviour; it will be less of a shock if I come across it as a trainee teacher and I will be able to deal with the situation as professionally as possible. Undoubtedly, there will be a few people on the course who haven’t seen a badly behaved child, or at least had to deal with one!

Rachel

The journey so far…

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to my blog! I created this blog as a means of sharing my journey with others as I become a primary school teacher. I’m Rachel, a twenty-four year old postgraduate with ambitions of sharing my passion for teaching with others and enabling children to become better thinkers and learners.

It has taken me two years to get onto a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) and I will begin my journey in September. I have mentally prepared myself for the trials and tribulations that come with such a demanding course but I know how rewarding teaching is. No two days are the same and the face a child makes when they have achieved something speaks volumes.

What’s the journey so far? I did a three year degree in Fine Art, and to put it bluntly, I did not enjoy the course. There was a lot of negativity surrounding the attitude of the tutors, the course structure wasn’t planned very well and there was a general lack of enthusiasm from almost everyone. I knew after the first year that it wasn’t the course for me, but at the time quitting wasn’t really an option and I stuck it out to the very end. Although it was an emotionally painful experience, I graduated and I was proud of myself… but I knew that university life should have meant something more. Once I graduated I have a few menial jobs before I decided to volunteer in a primary school. Instantly I knew that this is what I should have done at university – teaching.

Since then I have worked in different primary schools and on a playscheme during the school holidays and my experiences have differed from place to place. I have seen how challenging it is, working in a school and with children, but I have seen how the children look up to their teachers as their main source of inspiration and guidance. I took the plunge and applied for teacher training last year and got 3 interviews but I wasn’t successful. After these interviews, I had enough time to mull things over and I realised I needed more time and more experience. I’m glad I did this because the job I have now has enabled me to prepare for the demands of a PGCE. I applied again in December 2013 and this year round I had 1 interview… and I was successful! I had an interview at the same place last year and it really helped to keep in touch and express my interest in applying for the course again. I passed the professional skills tests (English first time, Maths second time), which all trainee teachers must undertake before they start a teacher training course, and I knew then that the new path of my journey had begun. I will try and explain more about these tests in a later post, for anybody who is yet to take them and may not be feeling too confident about taking them.

My blog aims to share with you my daily, weekly and monthly experiences leading up to and during my PGCE year. Hopefully it will be of some use to people who are thinking about teaching! I will try to review books I have bought, discuss CPD courses I have attended, etc… hopefully to give people a better understanding of what it’s like to become and be a trainee teacher. Throughout my blog I would like personal details, names of universities, schools, etc to remain anonymous… – the reasons for, I am sure you will understand!

Well, that’s enough from me for today. If you would like to know more, please leave a comment on any of my posts and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Enjoy!

Rachel