Desperate and need ideas please?

[janji]

Some of you may remember me from a few threads. Basically I was a deputy head but have been on long term sick and then resigned due to an extremely nasty new head teacher. All of the teaching staff also felt they had to resign as well.

Every time I apply for a job ex head forwards the agreed reference but then phones the school ("off the record") to tell them all sorts of lies. Union still involved but I need a job!

Have had countless jobs offered on supply / for permanent posts only for the offers to be withdrawn once hearing from ex head!

Anyways, have yet another interview on Monday. The head has actually spoken to my second referee in person (lovely chap who is now v high up in the advisory for a neighbouring county) who has explained to the interviewing head all about the ex head from hell.

Basically all of my past 18 yrs of experience is shot and my confidence at a low.

I need to do a twenty minute teaching activity with 8 year 1 pupils on creative maths. Does this mean practical maths?

Thinking of a pirate / coins theme as I have lots of pirate stuff at home, but would be so so grateful for any input from you lovely mumsnetters.

You have all been so supportive in my past threads and helped my confidence no end.

I feel so sick at the thought of being observed but am desperate to be back into teaching (not bothered at all about being a deputy again, just want to teach!)

So any creative maths ideas please?

[orangeandemons]

Is he not breaking data protection laws?

[Roshbegosh]

Hope someone can help you, good luck.

[Moleyjay]

If you want to go down a pirate route what about treasure maps. You could 'find' one together and then a mysterious set of instructions with some words obscured/ ripped off. you would get loads of directional and positional language out if it.

[toomuchicecream]

Really like the position/direction treasure map idea. Alternatively, how about using a story as your starting point? I got my current job by reading the beginning of How Big is a Million, giving the children a counting activity and then reading the rest of the story.

The trouble with creative is that it is so subjective... What does creative mean? One person's creative idea is another person's idea of hell!!! If you replaced the word creative with practical, would it make the ideas come any better?

[orangeandemons]

Perhaps something to do with pieces of 8.? You know, like a parrot says....

[orangeandemons]

Coin amounts on the map. Give them random numbers. They have to make the total of the separate coin amounts in one way or another, by finding people to make up the sum. They then go and stand at correct sum on map with numbers and say why they have found this total.

Other kids can AFL the totals, or suggest alternatives, or do it on whiteboards in groups.

Perhaps the totals could unlock letters which would lead to a prize?

[Pantone363]

Treasure map based on the classroom, follow the map to different stations, at each one they have to count out a given number with correct coins ( differentiate depending on ability) so station one make 20p using these coins, then they get the next part of the map to the next station (cut map bits out and put together as you go along?

[Pantone363]

Or the same amount but using different combinations. At the end have a treasure box they have to put the right coins into and it opens revealing......whatever?!

[orangeandemons]

Pantone.. What colour is 363.? In the past, I was a designer and used to pride myself on knowing the Pantone numbers off by heart!

Is it a warm red colour, or a lime green?

[Pantone363]

Lime green!

[Pantone363]

I have the Pantone mugs are was drinking from that one when I picked my username .

[orangeandemons]

Wow, I'm stunned by my memory! 20 years ago.

[Pantone363]

That's pretty impressive!

[janji]

Thank you guys. Like the idea of map / coins. Thought if challenging them to make ifferent amounts using the least number of coins /only silver coins /only copper coins. Thought I could maybe bring in simple x2 and x5 or 10 tables to help with calculations then?

[Inclusionist]

Are you frank in your interviews about not having got on with the Head? I had to leave my last school as a result of falling out spectacularly with my line manager (who was also very close friend ) and knew it may affect my reference as she rather poisoned the Head against me and they were having an affair so he believed her .

Immediately after being offered my new job I was honest with my new Head that I was leaving a difficult situation. I said I could have pursued constructive dismissal but I really valued the school and didn't think it would be right to do that for the sake of the rest of the team I was leaving behind. She listened and I got the job (big promotion too).

Maybe worth a try?