Awful year 3 class- I'm not the only one right?

[Claire-Bear]

So I officially started supply teaching last week- have mainly had
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of lovely little schools where the children were great.

However

Was in a class today and the day just seemed to go really awful. Constant in and out of seats, scribbling on work, poking/hitting each other, loud, talking when I am trying to talk. Particularly in Maths the highest attaining group did awful, simply because I had spent so much time trying to control the rest of class and when I was explaining things on the board no one could hear me through the noise

(possible exaggeration but certainly feels like it)

Afternoon went better (a bit) but am just dreading going into that class again. In some ways I feel I've let them down by not helping them learn and am worried that the teacher is going to blame me for the sheer shortage of work in their books.

*Moan over* I know I'm not the only one, am just looking for someone to tell me it'll all be fine :S

[Footiegirl]

Ah
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, I can do better than that - 'Thank God they aren't your class permenantly'!!!! Just tell your agency you dont want to go back there. Its one of the perks off supply.

But overall, congratulations on surviving your first day as a supply teacher! Keep us posted with how things go x

[audrey]

Oh dear think we've all been there bought the
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etc. I is not easy is it? Supply is brill and once you have established yourself and have regular schools you may decide to be choosy (as Footie said not return there). It all depends on how much you need the money, whether you want to see if it is any better 2nd time around (and it may not be).

Having useful strategies that may or may not work may put you in a good position. There are threads on here for behaviour that may be useful for you. There are also lots of tools on the web for helping: timers that have a choice of music with fascinating designs ( I currently have one that has a child with a pin that gets closer to the balloon to pop it as the time whizzes by). There is another site: if you type in singing horses you can use it to let them know that by the time the last horse stops singing (you click on each one) you will expect them to be quiet! I used and still use the system sometimes, of writing names on the board and for each time they interrupt me I deduct 3 mins off their break (they always hated that).

It is so hard, it is important to let them know your expectations, especially for behaviour from the start. Ensure that you know who you can call upon in the school - should you need support also.

Good luck

[smc533]

I supplied in a class a
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of years ago that are still fondly remembered in our house as "The Class From Hell". They were Yr 5 and had every niggle and poke under the sun. The first time I went I thought it was me, but then I went a
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more times and formed a really good relationship with the class teacher and discovered they were exactly the same for him too!

By the time I moved out of the area, when he knew I was going in he used to plan lessons that were in my fave subjects for the times I was there.

Like Audrey says, get some strategies in place for dealing with behaviour issues & remember that every day is a new day with supply even if you're going in to a familiar class.

Sarah x

PS & have some of the SupplyBag cure all
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[NuttySupplier]

You've done it! Survived your first day! Well done!
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It's hard to start with... but it gets easier and better, and if you want to, and can, go back to the same schools and you'll start getting to know the kids, they stop seeing you as supply (even Reception classes know to play up for a supply teacher!)

[Wendy]

I've been in that class! (and I don't even know which school!) Seriously I have worked in a mixed 3/4 class on several occasions and the children were just like that. The teacher used a horn to get their attention! It is so much easier when you know the children and they know that you mean what you say.

[janeb]

Originally Posted by audrey
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Their are also lots of tools on the web for helping: timers that have a choice of music with fascinating designs ( I currently have one that has a child with a pin that gets closer to the balloon to pop it as the time whizzes by).

That sounds great - have you got a link?

[lousylear]

I had a nightmare y3/4 class the other day. The school uses TAs instead of supply except they refuse to go in to this class. Parallel class teacher said they were better for me than their reg teacher! Still, nice to be busy. Only been on LA list for two weeks and done 5 days in 4 different schools already. Not sure about constantly going to new schools though, bit like that first day in september every day.

[RMTA]

You are definitely not the only one. I had a day in a year 3 class that had been without their teacher for over a week. Very little structure and no TA. Not a very fun day.