Make A Note

In my toolbox of "must haves " I find there are three types of recording sheets I use everyday.

The Daily Agenda

Notes

Class List

Classroom teachers value the details of the day given in a quick and easy to read form. I find the daily agenda is the outline of the day. The note page is an A4 page divided into ten separate note forms. As the day progresses I simply record make a note of what is necessary for the class teacher to know. This could include perhaps a message from the librarian or action taken over a lost piece of property...that type of thing. These are my notes that I always leave on the teacher's desk at the conclusion of the day.

The Class List sheet is always copied and ready for the new student names to be entered. I then have a blank line entry to record either my observations or the work completed and perhaps my comments. I am able to feel I have done my best to follow up on all work that was set or asked to be completed in the set teaching time. I leave this list as a record for the class teacher as well.

Usually I find the students enjoy the fairness of this recording and rarely try to "slip through the net" so to speak by not submitting completed work. (If they do, I simply leave a note!)Workbooks are best collected and left for the teacher to review.

Sometimes it is these simple things that make a difference. A fellow teacher thanked me just today for these very habits and so I thought I would pass it on. If this is any help to you I am most pleased to have helped. That is what we all here for to support each other.

Live,laugh and learn,

Blessings for the journey.

Carmel

Supply Teaching is not for the Faint Hearted!

What a week! There are just sometimes that you have to admit that you don't know if you Arthur or Martha! (Hence the clip art image!) By the way, I am Martha!

It is interesting that this week has come post my last workshop. Some class groups are just so high needs that they test every aspect of your teaching skills, every fibre of your teaching instincts. The lack of relationship and your limited prior knowledge of routine and expectation can only be seen as positives if you place them into the "character building aspect" of your profession! Even the deputy principal smiled at me on the third day and said, "Oh well ,you are still coming back each day .....that is a good sign!"

In all my years of teaching, I have never seen a year level group of Senior Primary pupils that consist of so many very high needs children. The classroom teachers are both dedicated and beautiful professionals. It is not through lack of management that this cohort require high energy to stay one step ahead, it is purely the combination of students. All this aside, I had a job to do, one step at a time and one day at a time!

One lovely lady at my last workshop asked most earnestly during the Behaviour Management
Chapter, "But what do you do if they still won't do what is being asked of them?" I may have been evasive in my answer as to date most of the suggestions I include in my book have always been my answers. Perhaps this is why I was sent this test this week ..... and I still have to face them again next week!

I am submitting this blog entry to show you that I DO live in the real world and the schools in my general area are not all filled with angels from heaven! There have been a few strategies that have been my saving grace this week and I thought I would share them. ....

1. In my book Behaviour Management Chapter 6, I write, (tongue in cheek)....Don't negotiate with terrorists! Having a daily agenda meant I could simply state that is what is expected and that is what is happening now. There was no choice in the focus of that section of the day.
2. Brain Breaks worked perfectly for the incentive this group needed to focus and then be rewarded. I kept a very tight rein on the selection of activities, however including a few of their favourites was a winning idea. Those children not working simply did not join the break time activity. They were not impressed I can tell you.
3. Being scrupulously fair about rewards, tidy desk expectations, and completion of work helped me stay sane. Any record of these activities were not keep on the board but rather in my note pad. Yes, this is a class that would re-write history if they could!
4. I only gave one warning during a group dissuasion and then asked the group if they were tired of the interruption to their learning. Offender was then asked to do the Top 100. Simple, clear, easy and it wasn't about me. Peer Jury (Page 21) worked a treat!
5. I also made sure I had work strategies at hand if a task proved too difficult or extension activities. Rotational activities were also much more engaging as they children realized they they would be only on this activity for a set amount of time and then have the opportunity for change.
6. My digital timer was priceless as I could be specific about time and follow through fairly.
7. Lastly, my coloured gel pen and cute stamp were a big hit. (Just because they were different I think!)

As I said earlier, I have this class for another week. I am more prepared than ever work content wise and I am also aware of each student's abilities and needs. I am sure this week will still be interesting; however, I am feeling a little more confident that things might not be so challenging as we have learnt a little more about each other.

Live, laugh and learn!

Blessings for your teaching journey!

Carmel

Workshop "Fun and Learning" (August 2009)

"Relief Insight" Workshop

What a great group of teachers gathered together for the August workshop! The energy in the room was wonderful. It is always my privilege to present in this situation and again I was humbled by the genuine feedback. As always the needs of the group were quite varied and somewhat difficult to meet every one's expectations perfectly. Those in the group who were already out there facing classes every day in the relief capacity would have liked time to openly share strategies. I will look into another opportunity to make this happen. For now the three hour workshop is action packed with information and ideas. Some of which make the best sense when you have time to reflect and "play" with them.

Here are some of the further suggestions:

" As a pre-service teacher I am thankful for your professional scaffolding." (Sean, 3rd year Uni)

"Enlightening- empowering....more of the same please! (Dianne, Supply teacher.)

"Fantastic content. It (the workshop) came well recommended and did not disappoint. Love the access to coffee! Would love to come back for open sharing time!" (Kathryn, teacher)

If you are reading this, live in the Brisbane area and would like to attend the next workshop, simply leave a comment with your return email address as an expression of interest. No obligation. I will email you when the next workshop can go ahead. I rely on the right number of people to cover the associated costs.

On the other hand, if you are reading this and do not live in the local area, please know that what you are reading throughout my blog is not dissimilar to my book and this is why I was encouraged to place the whole book on line for your downloading convenience.

One teacher shared at the workshop that she had prepurchased "Relief Insight" handbook nearly a year earlier and she always takes it with her everyday! She showed us all the highlighting and general use the book had received. I was so pleased to see evidence that I have produced a teaching tool that is of such practical use and support.

Blessings for your teaching journey.......

Live, laugh and learn!

Carmel

The Five "Bees" of Supply Teaching!

The Five Bees


BE READY.......
· Be ready to go when a school phones!
· Have reliable transport & be willing to travel.
· Invest in a diary and use it well to record all school contact details and days of employment.
· Give your planning and home preparation professional reflection.


BE PREPARED.......
· Carry Teacher Rego, Department ID number, your own teacher badge.
· Prepare files of ideas...Prep to 7, multi-purpose resources and graded professional resources.
· Be prepared for all situations e.g. hat, umbrella, sandshoes, sports whistle.
· Always have a backup plan to your preparation.
· Prepare your bag of tricks! (Koosh ball, dice,etc)


BE ADAPTABLE.......
· Adapt your mindset to teaching all year levels/areas.
· Adapt your teaching style to deal with more challenging classes/schools.
· Be adaptable to any last minute changes to your day.
· Be open to teaching different classes in one day.
· Be adaptable when you are asked to be part of activities: excursions, sports activities or liturgies.


BE PROFESSIONAL.....
· Dress professionally but comfortably.
· Arrive at the nominated time giving yourself space to prepare for the day.
· Introduce yourself to the principal/staff members.
· Leave review notes of the day for the class teacher.
· Make yourself aware of school policies and guidelines.

BE CREATIVE.....
· Source out resources that are inclusive to individual ability levels and appeal to all styles of learning.
· Be creative with resources and professional ideas you choose to have in your bag of tricks.
· Have fun!