Own Knowledge

Tinkerbelle86 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009, 07:43 PM

Hi I have just finished my teacher training and have signed up to do some supply work before the end of the academic year. Largely for money as well as some more experience. Ive got a job in year 1 for September and am much more confident teaching in KS1, however my first supply job is with year 5. I am feeling a little nervous about 2 things:
1. Behaviour
and
2. My own knowledge
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I am really nervous about having to teach year 5 lessons I haven't had much time to look over and am worried im not going to be able to think on my feet. I am worried i'm going to have forgotten how to do things and completley not know what i'm doing, especially in Maths! Am I over worrying? I'm a really organised person so not knowing what i'm teaching till the day is really out of my comfort zone. Has anyone got any words of advice? I'd be really grateful. Thankyou!

Footiegirl · #2 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 06:35 PM

Hello, welcome and congrats on qualifying and getting a job.

As for the own knowledge, I used to find a good way of getting around my own knowledge gaps on supply was to say in the mental starter: "Who can tell me what you have already learned? Who can show me how this is done?" Worked a treat as you always got someone who could tell you!!!

Good luck - I am sure you will be fine. Let us know how you get on x

NuttySupplier · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 07:29 PM

Hi T'belle86...

As Footie says, let the kids lead you with whatever they're doing... Behaviour in Y5 usually isn't an issue, though obviously this changes from school to school... They're not cocky Y6s yet!! (And boy, are some Y6s going for it this half term!) If anything, they are, at this time of year, a bit worried about going into Y6, so tend to be quieter than the Y4s!

Tinkerbelle86 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 03:10 PM

Thanx Footie and Nuttie. On the day the knowledge was fine, but those are some great tips for the future thanku!

Had quite a tough day. The first thing I was asked when I arrived in the morning was 'have you been told this is a tough school!' which of course I hadn't! I quite literally had the class from hell! Behaviour was a nightmare, nothing i did would get them to listen to me. I did get through the day though and don't feel too fazed by it as I was told by the TA, class teacher and head that, that was what the class was like on a normal day and the head visits the class quite reguarly. I just feel sorry for the poor NQT whose class it is!

I can now see what other teachers in these forums mean about the wonderful feeling of knowing I dnt have to go back! It was a great learning curve though. I have year 4 on thursday in a different school so hopefully it'l just get better from here!
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Footiegirl · #5 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 07:01 PM

Glad you survived your day! Any class will be a breeze from now on! Hope next week goes well - let us know how you get on x

NuttySupplier · #6 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 08:06 PM

Wow, baptism by fire!!! That's it now though, the first day's always the hardest, and never a truer word written by the sound of it! Good luck with the Y4... at the mo, our Y4 girls are catty with eachother, and the boys are either slow, or continually knackered from playing football at break in the heat without a drink... just so you know!

audrey · #7 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 11:54 AM

Hi and welcome Tinkerbelle 86 glad you survived and by the sound of it you have had the toughest 1st day so
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it will be easier next week.

Congratulations on getting a job and well done for being brave in wanting to do some supply beforehand. Despite some of the bad days that we have as supply teachers it is a real eye opener and you do pick things up along the way that may benefit you in your 1st post. It is great being able to walk away and if you so want-never to return.

Good luck next week sure it will be a doddle after the year 5s.

Tinkerbelle86 · #8 (**permalink**) 18-06-2009, 10:07 AM

Hi Audrey and thankyou i'm really excited about my new job!

I have been to one school since the last and taught in three of their classes which have all been a dream! I obviously started at the bottom as things have got a lot better. I am a little annoyed becase the terror year 5's school still have not authorised my timesheet and so I haven't been paid yet! apparently they have ofsted at the moment. At least they didnt come when i was there.
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