Winding down

Thought I'd put a picture of me here...This is me in London pretending to be a Dj!!!!!




Only two weeks to go until Christmas!!! Whoo hoo. Don't get me wrong...I am liking my job but I am in real need of a holiday...I am starting to wind down for the Christmas holidays....am I too early????

NEVER.

I still have lots of work to do however, Marking!!!!!! I have finished marking my 4th year prelims and I must say I am both very surprised and very disappointed with some of the results. The ones that I thought would pass, did not and the ones who I was concerned about - did!!!! I dunno.

Off that topic...I was thinking about starting up a homework blog with one or two of my classes. Can anyone think of any suggestions as to how I may use a blog for homework.
I was thinking about offering it as homework help/reminder thing. Has anyone got a homework blog already??

What do you think?

FIRED!!!!

not really...

Now this rarely happens in teaching - an extra day off. But it happened today and I will remember it for the rest of my career.

There was a fire in the school assembly hall and we all got sent home. Fortunately, it happened at 7am this morning and no-one was hurt.

Now although I was happy about getting an extra day off - I was actually looking forward to going to school (for once). Shame.

I decided that I would take myself into town and buy even more clothes - it seems that all of the kids had the same idea.

It'g good to.....

TALK

I have recently discovered that teaching is not an individual activity - meaning you are not alone.

Just when you think that your lessons are crap and your behaviour management is bad - you talk to another teacher in another subject and they are having the same problems with the exact same bunch of kids. So ALL IS NOT BAD!!! I AM NOT ALONE..

I was having a particular problem with one teenager, who was not working in class and being slightly disruptive. Anyway, I was talking to my mentor about this kid and it turns out she also taught him/her. She was able to show me the work he/she had produced for her and she also gave me some hints on how to interact with him/her , having taught him/her for two years. This enabled me to motivate him/her into being more productive in class.

SO NOTE TO SELF: if you are having a problem - TALK TO OTHERS.

PART 2

I am thinking about setting up a cheerleading club in school. Good idea??

Who wants to.....

be in an accounts class last last period on a Friday?????

Me but not the kids. As soon as they step foot in my classroom on friday afternoon its like the weekend has begun. I have tried to stimulate their little minds in other ways - like playing beat the class and what's in the accountant's bag - but even then they can't concentrate. At least I know its not just me - it happens to every teacher last period on a Friday.

But I love accounts!

Anyway, I had a sucessful lesson today with my fourth year class. I let two pupils "be the teacher" and write the other pupils' answers on the blackboard. They really enjoyed it and the whole class were quiet. Note to self - be interactive - get pupils to do the work.

All in all, a good day for Miss K.

Getting there.....

slowly......

Teaching is the biggest rollercoaster EVER made. Seriously, sometimes I am on a high and sometimes I am steeply going down and wondering if I'll ever get my life back. One day I love it and some days I want to escape go back to uni (again) and be a student forever...and have lies in and watch Neighbours twice a day!

I am making progress though (I think) no, I KNOW!!!!! I have also discovered that, that is what the probation year is all about - learning and progression. If you don't learn then you are in the wrong job and if you don't progress then you are definitely doing something wrong.

I have discovered (from numerous people telling me) that initially I was being far too hard on myself and being over critical. But, its very hard not to be hard and critical of yourself when you want to be good at something. I was hoping to be superteacher from the word go, but have since realised that even teacher's who have been teaching for ages are still not 'perfect' and make mistakes too.

On the positive side, I have managed to move some of my classes to another classroom. Now remember I said that my classroom had a really bad layout? Well, 2 of the classes I have managed to get another classroom for. I still don't have a media projector or a OHP - just a blackboard, 30 desks and ME! But what I am trying to say is that the environment in the new classroom is far better and I now believe that the layout of the classroom and position of the blackboard/teacher are vital to teaching and learning.

The true sign of a real teacher is......

when you coun't down the days to your holidays! 3 DAYS TO GO!!!! Whooo hooo

I am exhausted, thankfully we have a holiday just around the corner - pity it was not longer.

I am starting to enjoy myself teaching - even although I don't think I am doing a good job. I was hoping to come into teaching and be good at it, but I am slowly learning that I am not going to be the best teacher in the world from day 1. I am making so many mistakes and I can see myself making them - but at least I am realising this and I am able to try and think of ways to improve them.

I think one of my biggest problems at the moment is that I don't feel comfortable in my classroom. The whole classroom set up has quite bad dynamics and as a result I feel this makes a difference to the environment in the classroom. For example, my classroom has had 20 Pc's squashed into it and 25 desks (2 rows of 10 desks in a row) and one row of 5. The chalkboard is to the left of the classroom (miles away from the pupils on the right) and the whiteboard is to the right (miles away from the pupils on the left). It makes it really difficult to teach, as I am unable to position myself in the middle. Plus, in some of my classes I have 30 children, which means the extra 25 have to sit around on the computer desks - which means they are not facing me. Its crammed!!!!!!

I hate not being good at something though, I care about these kids education a lot and sometimes I feel that I am failing them.

Any ideas on how to increase my confidence? Any hypnotic techniques which will make a good teacher?

Living for the weekend!!!!

I am back!!!! Having just got connected to the internet I felt that it would be appropriate to post an entry in my blog - I have not dissapeared completely you will be pleased to know (well my mum still checks my blog).

3 weeks down and I feel like I have been in school for a lifetime. My pupils know my name but I have had difficulty in remember 70 names. They all look so similar!!!!!

How am I getting on?

Well, the first day went well and the second, and then the honeymoon period was over for the kids and its been non-stop ever since. I have paperwork coming out of my ears and my head has not stopped buzzing. For two weeks I could not get to sleep at night because my head was full of information and ideas and worries and stressers and panics....the list goes on. I am learning to chill now, but I have to remember, not only am I new to the profession but I am new to the school as well. I think it would be much easier if you were in the school that you did your placements - one less thing to think about. But I am not, and I am slowly beginning to find my feet - well my toes anyway.

One of the most hardest things I am finding about this whole teaching thing, is the fact that I may not be liked. Obviously with friendship etc you are use to being liked. I am slowly coming round to the concept that it is OK that kids may not like me. I am not there to be liked. I am there to educate!

I am trying not to say too much about my difficulties just incase some smart cookie decides to google my name and exploit my weaknesses. This could be my cryptonite! So if you are one of those smart cookies, I am actually a nice person.

Will I ever get my life back????

Its the final countdown

Now, before I was just excited about starting at my new school - but now I am nervous!!!!

Calling all experienced Teachers - what do I do on the first day??????

This is what I am thinking about doing.

1) Introducing myself and getting them to introduce themselves.
2) Going over the classroom rules. (Do you think I should let them come up with Classroom rules????? - and then adapt them myself, OR just let them deal with my rules????
3) Get them to fill in my "Employee" details form - My way of introducing Businessy things getting their name, birthday, favourite music, films food etc and what their aims for the year is. My idea behind this is that I will find out a little about them which may be used when making materials up....

4) Go over what the course consists of.
5) Administration factors.

Arrghhhhh. So many things to think about- What happens if they don't like me. How can I settle my nerves so I don't look nervous.

The Heat is On....

Loving the Summer Holidays

You know what the best bit about becoming a teacher is…..the long holidays!!!! Ok, that’s not the sole reason I want to teach…but it helps.

I thought that it has been a while since I have written in my blog, so I will give you an update.

I have been allocated my school for my probation year and I am very happy with it.. I have a good feeling about it and I am confident that I will get along just fine. I will be teaching:
Standard Grade Accounts
Standard Grade Business Management *2
Intermediate Travel and Tourism
PC Passport (a Microsoft qualification)

I am excited about the subjects that I will teach, but I am disappointed that I did not get a first year class. I would have liked to have at least one class. Never mind.

I am trying to get a head start, by preparing lessons for the first month or so. This should help me ease into the job, so I can concentrate on getting to know the kids and the school.

I am currently in the world of temping, due to my lack of monetary funds and to buy shoes!!! The General Teaching Council for Scotland are taking £49 from me on the first of August – so I have to get my money from somewhere.

I am back living at home in the sunny place of Inverness, having BBQ’s and going to my local coffee place (el Starbuckio) to help with my coffee addiction that I have.

My last week....as a student teacher.

Ok, so as my last crit has been completed....I can simply relax and enjoy my last week of teaching...before I return in August and actually get paid for it.. How scary!!!! To be honest...I am looking forward to it, having my own classes, getting to know the kids, implement my own rules and routines etc etc. I know that it is going to be tough, seeing as I won't have another teacher to take on the discipline...so I will just have to deal with things.

I am sad to leave the school that I am in right now, because a) the majority of kids are good kids and b) the department that I am in are fantastic. The teacher's in my department are the kind of teachers that I want to be. They are all very relaxed, love their job, and the pupils seem to like them too. Which is what teaching should be about.... I am still far off, from being one...but hopefully in my probation year I will still be able to improve. You can't be expected to be a great teacher just after a few weeks of being in the classroom, like any other profession - it takes practice and experience. I have learnt that in teaching, you have good days and bad days and you have good lessons and bad lessons - and not to beat myself up about the bad days. I can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a non- teaching note. I completed my first ever 10k race yesterday at the Glasgow Women's 10k. Today I am a little sore and have huge blisters, but it was all worth it. It was so much fun. I ran the whole way...and I am not sure of my time (find out tonight) but I am sure it was just under an hour....I am so pumped up that I am entering another one!!!! Recomend it to anyone.

They think it's all over.......

Well it nearly is....Today I had my last 'crit' of my student year. Thank goodness it went reasonably well, because I don't think I could cope with another night of not being able to sleep, and dreaming about it. Last night I hardly slept.

In my lesson today, I felt the most comfortable that I have been in a classroom. I can already, see that I am becoming more confident and assertive. Today's area's for development were:

The pace of my lesson. I think that this will come as I get more experienced, and more familar with the kids. Coming down to teach kids at a basic level is quite difficult and therefore I have to take him to think my explanations through. So that's not all bad.

My probing during questioning. I have to make sure that I do not spoonfeed them, or talk when they are trying to write things down...I forget that like men (joking) kids cannot multi-task.

So it was not a major disaster....I am practically a teacher now!!!!! With the exception of a few more interviews with tutors and an assignment/paperwork to be handed in. Man it feels good.

Then I had the class from hell last period....and I felt.....like I was back at square 1. The kids were cheeky, RUDE, and I felt sorry for the good kids cause I do not think I taught them anything. But then the real teachers in my department, said that it was nothing to do with me....but the mix of kids...so I should not worry about it.. BUT I DO.

Anyway...I am thinking that I will continue my blog through my probation year....do you think it is worthwhile?




And that

Getting back to Basics...

Now for a Business/Computing teacher who uses computers to teach on a daily basis, I thought it would be impossible to go back to teaching accounts the old fashioned way...Chalk and talk...no fancy powerpoints!!! It was hard...and it is harder to become imaginative without all the interactive software,websites etc etc around....but I quite enjoyed going back to basics. I actually found that I CAN teach....that I am not hiding behind computers.

I think the use of computers is a good thing, but also using the traditional methods of chalk and talk are sometimes overlooked. That's my words of wisdom for today.

I played Hide and seek at the weekend with some of my friends....it was in the dark and it was sooooooo much fun.!!!! Imagine telling my pupils that I was playing hide and seek at the weekend!!!!

The Calm after the storm...

In Glasgow and the West Coast...we had major thunder and lightening storms last night. It surprisingly has had quite a calming effect on all the pupils. Weird huh?

Anyway...I am back in teaching my 1st subject...and I am enjoying it. I have a lot less classes this time but it is mostly due to the fact that senior pupils are off on study leave for their exams. So I have plenty free time in order to develop resources etc etc..

What I have found challenging today...is how to cope with pupils who have major learning difficulties...I find it difficult to know how to allocated my time between those who have learning diffiulties and those who are stuck on various things. I am teaching Spreadsheets at the moment...and its very difficult when they are at different levels. I try to encourage peer learning...this will help.

When I go fall....I fall laughing.

Back again.

A great start to my 3rd and final teaching placement ....whilst the S.E class that I was taking were about to get a talk from a Policeman on the dangers of alchohol misuse....what did I do....sit on a wonky chair and fall flat on my bum!!!!!! Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
The kids were roaring with laughter...how could I possibly recover from this embarrassing situation!!!! Well....I laughed as only a person with a sense of humour would....this went down well. If you can't laugh at yourself...then who can you laugh at.

I am now known as Miss "I fell off her chair Kettles". Good Stuff

Only another 3 weeks and I'll nearly be able to say...that I am a teacher!!!!

I am teaching Accounts (my favourite subject) and administration.
It's all good man.

To camp or not to camp?????

To keep my blog readers happy(meaning Mum) I have decided to write again.

I am faced with the dilema of whether or not to go and work for a couple of weeks in the summer at my friends Summer camp in New Hampshire (USA). He has just started his Summer Camp, and this will be his first summer therefore he has asked me to be part of his experience. Although he really wants me to come over, he understands my situation at the moment (not knowing where I will be come August)/starting a new job etc etc. The camp runs from the 21st of July till the 21st of August, and I know that I won't be able to stay the whole time, but even if its for a couple of weeks he is egar to have me there.

Is it a good idea to work with Kids in my summer break???? Should I have a break altogether?? These are the questions on my mind.

As I was saying to my Mummy the other day, being at Summer camp is hard work...( I have spent two summers at an American Summer camp a couple of years ago) BUT its fun also. Plus I really really want to be part of this whole experience for my friend. I don't like missing out.

Ahhhhh.....I actually should be concentrating on my essay before I think about the summer...which is what I am going to do now...(after Neighbours).

Funny thing happened to me this morning. I somehow, got locked in my flat and for a moment I was thinking I would have to get the firemen to rescue me....BUT I got a ladder and managed to climb out of the window...falling on the grass at the bottom. Then I managed to open the door from the outside....

It was funny...for someone watching anyway.

For those down days.....there is always an up!!!!

Tuesday...I had two awful lessons. As a teacher I sucked BIG time ...and the kids were running rings around me. My classroom management and assertiveness was rubbish. That got me really depressed and thinking...will it be like this always??? BUT.....

the next day...I went in to the classes KNOWING that I needed to work on these things...which I did....and the lesson went really well. I have now come to realise that second year pupils DO not follow instructions very well, nor can they work through a work booklet very well either. Therefore I have come to the conclusion that you need to demonstrate what you want the kids to do...and have work booklets to reinforce it. I felt much more in control of the class...and as a result the kiddywinkles got much more work done and the lesson was more of a success.

After today....only 5 more days of my second placement...I can hardly believe it. It is a pity...because I have just began to feel comfortable in the school and I am building up a rapport with my classes. It is a real shame...I won't be at this school for my probation year, because it is a fantastic department..

Red wine night tonight with my friends!!! Can't wait

One crit over.....2 more to go.....

Phewwwww Glad that is over. I had my first crit yesterday and it went surprisingly well. Although I would have liked to get a video camera in to record me teaching - so I could see and hear what I sounded like. Poor kids who have to listen to my voice!!!!!!!!!! I annoy myself sometimes. I am glad it went well and I am relieved that the first one is over.

I was so tired last night that I collapsed on the sofa.....that was after doing power aerobics!!!!

I am always scared when a tutor comes to visit me.....but they are not as scary as you think.

Till the next one!!!!! Second years --- doing Publisher.....trying to think of an exciting thing I can make them do.

Right, my LTS article is out along with my top ten tips!!!! Check it out if you want....

Good things happen to those who...........

Blog!!!!

When I got a phonecall from David Muir at school, I thought "what have I done?". Blogging thats what I did, anyway to cut a long story short, David recommended me to Learning Teaching Scotland to write a new article for the website/email bulletin. So I did, and the article is ready for publication. So I have blogging to thank (and David Muir) for making me a published article writer person, which I will be able to include in my personal Portfolio!!!!!!!!! Now, I am heading for a TV documentary!!!!!!!! Would the makers of Teacher Teacher (a documentary following Student Teachers which was on in November) like to do another series following the life of a probation Student??????? I think it is an excellent idea.

ANYHOO..

My first "crit" is on Tuesday,...and I don't think I have been more prepared for one yet. I just need to remember my timings and not talk for too long. It is not the most exciting of lessons - but it was appropriate for the stage and level of the class. As all my pupils are at different stages I decided do to a lesson which everyone could complete. Here's hoping that the computers are working, because what do you do in computing if the computers don't work??????????

I must start thinking of a back-up plan!!!!!!!

Only 3 more weeks, that's 14 days ( we miss out one friday) till I finish my second placement. TO think...I was dreading my computing placement (and Doing Programming) BUT programming is turning out to be a great subject to teach. The funny thing is that I actually understand it, which I did not have a scoobie doo (clue) when I was studying it last year. I never understood what a Variable was until I had to explain it to the kids!!!!!

If only every week had 2 extra days holiday!!!!!

Trying to get pupils motivated into doing work after they have had a 3 day break is very difficult - trying to get myself motivated is an even bigger job!!!!! That is not strictly true, the 2 day holiday I had was spent preparing for my crit, doing research for my essay and some cleaning. Therefore I was productive.

Seriously, Life as a student is very busy indeed. They expect you to prepare for your classess, make presentations up, complete a portfolio AND write an essay all in such a short space of time. Its crazy.


Yesterday was Valentine's day, and I hate valentines day. When is there going to be a student teachers' day?????? Where all the pupils bring in gifts to their student teachers.


I nominate..........21st January.

Rule No 1.....When writing on the Whiteboard...

DO NOT USE PERMANENT MARKERS..

That is what I learned today. Luckily....I did not highlight this to my pupils or there would have been much abuse and slagging. My nails and hands are black from attemping to wipe it off from the board. Thankfully, all I had to write was a line!!!!!!!!

Despite that little accident things are going well, I feel a little more confident taking the classes now as I get to know the pupils. However, I do feel less confident about teaching the actual subject compared to my previous placement - but this is understandable as Bus Ed is my first subject. Now that I am on my computing placement - I am glad.

I have taken on board what my teacher has been saying to me regarding discipline and classroom management - which shows that I am willing to progress and improve.

First lesson

TOday I had my first lesson on my own today, and I crashed and burned. Well not really, but I felt I did. I even had it written down what I was going to say,,,but I did'nt come over well. My class teacher was in the class with me, and she said I was fine.....but I dunno I got some blank looking faces at me. The thing I am finding difficult, is the fact that because I am teaching programming - the kids are moving at all different paces, so delivering a lesson to the whole class is rather difficult. I am starting doing progress checks so that I know what stage everyone is at.

I don't really have much to talk about because nothing really interesting happened today,, good or bad.

I'm Lovin it........MCDonald's that is.

Only kidding, I am actually really enjoying myself on placement. And yes, teaching programming is rather fun. I am learning it along with the kids, so I am more likely to experience the same type of problems as they will encounter. I am also liking this whole thing of 'peer learning', If I don't know what has gone wrong, I say "Has anyone done this part?....maybe you could explain it to x" IT's Great.

I really like my department too, everyone is really nice and the P.T is especially nice. All in all, its a really happy department. A happy department, makes happy kids!!!!! The only thing that I would change about the placement, is the fact that I have not met any of the other students at the school. Last placement, we all met up at lunch time in the staff room - and we chatted about our difficulties, talked about our assignments etc. I feel that I would benefit from maybe a weekly meeting with the other students.

Not enjoying the early mornings though, and the 1 hour travel time! Its playing havick with my bodyclock.

Mid- course Blues!!!!

The word on the street is, that everyone of my friends and people on my course are really de-motivated about going on their second placement. (I know I am anyway). Maybe this is because we are not looking forward to the amount of work that will be coming our way in the next few weeks. I am really struggling to find the motivation to get organised for my next placement; which I know that I should be...but I am not. I am sure that once I get in school I will be fine. It's funny though, because we have to remind ourselves that come August we will be doing this full time, and their won't be little breaks at Uni for us to go to.

It is only 6 weeks, it will go past really quickly.

On the postive front, I feel slightly more confident about teaching programming now. I may not know all about the subject, and be the best programmer ever...but I am going to give it a go.

1 Day down.......6 weeks to go.

Right ok, today I had an initial visit to my new School for my 2nd placement of my teachers' training course. I thought that my last school was good; but from first impressions my new school seems great. First of all, the PT and staff appear to be really supportive - which is fantastic news for a student teacher as we need all the help and support that we can get. Secondly, the school ethos and behavioural system seems excellent and as a result the pupils seem to be very well behaved. I hope that I will be happy there!!!! Fingers crossed.

BUT...........my worst nightmare came true. Ok, not my worst nightmare - (that would be Westlife Splitting up or they stopped filming neighbours) but I have to teaching Programming in Computing, which is probably my weakest subject THAT I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT. Ok, that is an exaggeration but I am not confident at all about teaching it. Maybe....Ill use the techniques of Peer learning etc etc......so other kids can teach the class..RESULT
Please let this NOT be the bain of my life.

Think positive thoughts.
I can program.
I LOVE programming





Over and out.

Good bye 23.......!!!!

Tomorrow is my birthday and I will be 24. Maybe, this will be a good thing, and because I am older....I will actually feel like a teacher. In my first placement, I was having this whole issue about AGE, because my pupils thought that I looked about 17!!!!!!!!!!! This did not give me a lot of confidence; and nor did I feel old enough to be teaching 14 year old kids. NOW, I think I am moving in the right direction.....I may look like I am 17....(Oil of Olay does wonders) but I need to get into the teacher frame of mind from now on. We shall see.

After the lecture this morning at Jordanhill, I have become inspired and have loads of ideas of how to tackle my next teaching placement. It was all about thinking outside the black box; in terms of assessment and learning, and how that pupils do not benefit from getting graded. They should be provided with more feedback and comments to encourage learning. Two Stars and a wish was talked about, but I am going to turn that into "Two assets and a liabilitiy"...meaning two great things about a pupil's work and something they can work on.

So we go out for a days visit to our schools on Monday.....and I am looking forward to getting in again. I still need to work on my confidence.....so any ideas....to make me super confident...then HELP me...

Typical............

One of the first times...I miss a lecture (honestly).....and my blog gets a shout out!!!!! The moral of the story is....never get the flu. To be honest, I would have gone completely red and hid under my massive long scarf (that I got for christmas), if I was asked to stand up and identify myself. I would like to apologise to David Muir for letting the blogging and Computing side down!!!!!!!!! I will be there at the next one. Just so you know, "this morning" was not up to much.

For those who are visiting my blog for the first time (as a result of the ICT lecture or whatever) I would totally recommend blogging..... It is just like keeping a diary....but its not secret and people can reply to you. A great idea.... By keeping a blog throughout my placement enabled me to be a "reflective practicioner" and allowed me to put things into perspective (about my teaching and what not). I have also had some great advice from teachers and other people too; and what is good is that non of these people know you, so they are honest. What would be good, is that if load of students started blogging - we could all help each other through the busiest most difficult year of our academic lives ( Well it is for me).

Anyway, time for bed for me....I still have the plague.....and I don't want to miss my lectures tomorrow.

Only two weeks to go!!!!

I am enjoying being at university for 3 weeks, because I know that soon Ill be flat out teaching, and have no life again for 6 weeks.

Firstly, I am complaining about having to travel about 1 1/4 hrs to school AND BACK!!!!! I know that because I am studying two subjects that it is difficult to place me, but I was hoping that I would be a little closer. On the positive side, I have heard good reports about the school, so I am beginning to pep myself up.

Secondly, I am seriously worried about my next placement. My first subject is Business and I feel really confident with teaching that subject, however COMPUTING on the other side is a different ball game. My qualification in computing was a Diploma in I.T, so it was basically like a crash course in the subject, so I am VERY scared that I am out of my depth. What if they ask me to take Higher Computing classess?????? I am not strong enough. I kinda half thought about seeing if I can go back onto a single subject program. but I am not sure if it is too late. What if I do suck at it, that will have serious implications on my career.

Thirdly, I was watching This Morning today (a tv programme) and they were talking about Friday the 13th. A specialist on the programme said that if you believe that negative things are going to happen, then they more often than not will. Therefore, I have decided to convince myself that I am a confident teacher, and I can be assertive. Lets hope that this works.

Fourthly, I think that I have the flu. There is nothing much I can do about this apart from bed rest and drink plently of fluids. There is definitely something wrong with me, when I have lost my appetite. I am not sure why I am sharing this, with you all....but everyone else is at work...so I have no one to moan too.