Any advice for soon to be sen teacher?? please!

[hercules]

Okay, I'm starting work next week in a school for kids with severe physical disablities and the majority of them work at a level several years below their age. I have no sen experience but lots of curriculim experience and the school was advised in their last ofsted to hire people like this. They assured me I would be given ample help for preparation.

Well, despite being in a few times this week and phoning the deputy head (no response to my message) noone is giving me this help.

All I have been given is a list of names and told the classes are mixed ages according to abilites. It's primary to secondary with some kids doing GCSEx, some doing entry level certificates and some doing asdan credits. But I dont know who.

The kids range dramatically in their range of communication abilites but I dont know who can do what.

The last person left sometime ago and their paperwork is a mess and I will spend tomorrow morning (only time I have left with a babysitter) simply clearing up the classroom to make it usable and presentable and then there is a training day on Monday and I start teaching on Tuesday.

I will be teaching RE, sex ed, pshe and citizenship.

Has anyone got any advice on suitable tasks for gettting to know the kids, introducion to the subjects etc which I can do with them until I can get my head around the more meatier subject matter when I eventually find out what they've already done???


Text books are out of the question btw. It has to be very practical and hands on but with suitable tasks for kids who cant use their hands well or communicate by speaking. A lot do have picture books.

[abacus]

Have you tried the TES website? they have a fantastic chat section with sub-sections for trainee teachers, SEN, assistants, you can do a search past threads for relavent subjects. Hope that helps.

[Jimjams]

You ned christie- she has years of experience in SLD/PMLD- but the pMLD will have given her lots of experience on children with physical disabilities.

[hercules]

Who is that Jimjams? Is she a regular?

[mashed]

At my grandsons school ( he is Autistic) they use pictures I think its called pecs...not sure though...they use them more for the simple stuff like when the child needs something..toilet drink that sort of stuff..also each child has a diary that records what they have done that day..maybe something like that could help break the ice with them.

Dont suppose any of this is quite what your looking for but good luck.

Mashed xx

[mumbee]

If you have Sky try teachersTv channel 592 i find loads of ideas for all areas of teaching in fact they have had a number of programs on SEN they also have a Website wher you can access the info

ww.teacherstv.co.uk/

[Jimjams]

Christie posts quite frequently on the SN board. She is very dedicated- we all want her to teach our children

[lucy5]

Try www.tes.co.uk They have good forums, go into staffroom and look for sen. Sorry cant do links.

[Jimjams]

don't ask about autism on the TES site though- or you'll get barriesmart spouting abuse.

[nikkie]

For infor on sex/relationships ed. I went on a brilliant course by a group called 'me and us' they specialise inspecial needs education.
www.me-and-us.com they also sell resourses and can recommend other places.

ASDAN-is very self explanitary and by looking at previous work you should be able to gain an idea what level they are working at( this is graded from no help/ spokenor signed help/ down to experience recorded)

If the classes are of similar abilities it should be easier to teach as all should be working towards the same or at least similar aims.

Our citizenship comprises of th school council who are similar to prefects and make simple decisions for the school(ie playtime games, new clubs etc.) and feedback to their classes.

RE- we have done a lot on christmas story, acting it out, what do you do at christmas?, differnt food etc. same for other celebrations.
Lots of visits to different places of worship.
Kids enjoyed acting out a wedding!

PHSE- lots on feelings discussions what makes you angry , happy etc.

You should have good clasroom support(TAs ) as the maajority in SEN schools(IME) usually have a lot of experience and dedication.
Make sure you ask for any disability training that is available as this may give you a good background.

[kiwibelle]

there is a teacher's tv channel on Sky? I never knew that! TES is a very useful site. I have always had prompt and useful replies to my questions there. Good luck for your first few days.

[Fio2]

its not in canterbury is it?

[hercules]

Thanks for advice! No, it's not Canterbury.
What about ice breakers? Any ideas?

[Davros]

Are you allowed to take photos in class? A polaroid (or digital) camera to take photos of each child so you can remember them would be fun as well as practical. You could give each of them a photo of you! Presumably you can start by asking about their holidays. Do you have any clear picture books? Mashed mentions PECs, a basic understanding of PECs would be useful and Makaton, at least principles if not vocab. Where is Chrisie? Probably preparing too! Good luck, let us know how it goes.

[happymerryberries]

Oh congrats I had no idea you had changed job....it sounds great!

No advivce to give you as I haven't got any experience of that level of SN.

A friend who does takes the kids to Asdas to do 'real world' learning, adding up items in the basket, bellenced diet etc and says it is a huge success.....not sure if this is relevant at all.

For sex ed can the local family planning lend you demo stuff....plastic uteri etc?