Starting my first placement next week. Any tips?

[Fixinggood]

I'm a pgde (Scotland) student and am starting my first placement next week. I think I have the subject specific stuff down but any handy general tips for me?

Please don't say don't do it

[IguanaTail]

Avoid the moany ones in the staff room. Set aside an evening a week to do no work at all. Enjoy it!

[mrstweefromtweesville]

Run like the wind!

Erm, ok. If you're determined, put your head right. In your head, know you are the person in charge. Walk as though you are the person in charge. Speak as though you are the person in charge. If something goes wrong, do not forget you are the person in charge. If you believe it, the pupils will believe it also. When you lose faith in yourself, everything goes tits up.

Don't think perfection is essential. Like parenting, its about 'good enough', not about 'perfect'.

[Fixinggood]

Ah good tips already (except the running). Thank you. I like the set aside a night to do nothing!

[SmugairleRoin]

The night before you meet the class, practice in the mirror what you'll say first thing that morning to them.

Have a bank of simple games (maths games etc) you can play if you time your lessons wrong and have time to fill with nothing to do!

Have clear class rules and routines/sanctions, and stick to them.

Am not sure if this applies to Scotland, but in Ireland I'm expected to use Irish casually throughout the day. If that's the case for you and Gaelic then stick a little piece of coloured paper high up at the back of the room. When you see it, use a bit of Gaelic - was v handy for me when the supervisor was in and I was flustered!

[PrincessHairyMclary]

If you look quite young wear something very smart / suit if you are working with secondary age students. I find it helps a little with the respect side of things. Make sure you get the start right, lining up outside the door coming in quietly, send them back out if they don't do it properly. Set proper boundaries and expectations, don't assume they know how you want them to behave.

[TwllBach]

I second the rehearse what you are going to say thing. I'm going into my fourth year of teaching and I've only recently stopped rehearsing my lesson intros in the car on the way in!!

Don't best yourself up if it doesn't go to plan, but you must Believe that you are In Charge. Even if you have to pretend to believe it

[elephantoverthehill]

I forget what we used to call it on teaching practice but it was a lesson more about expectations, classroom rules and discipline to start with, the content was less relevant. I agree with the above posters advice. Once the ground rules are in place then you can start being 'dynamic' and doing 'exciting' lessons. My other piece of advice is when you get home have an one hour power nap before you start planning and marking.

[SmugairleRoin]

Elephant we had that - we called it creating a class charter.

[Fixinggood]

Thanks for all the tips. I like the power nap one but I have two dds of my own, 7 and 5 so I have to switch off at 4pm back to mum node until bedtime at 7:30. Also this adds to me not looking too young, but worn out and tired.

All great tips though!

[letsghostdance]

Scottish teacher in my 1st year after probation! Don't panic too much reading threads on here, the Scottish education system has a much healthier work/life balance than the English one (in general!!) so the horror stories on here will likely not apply to you.

My biggest tip is take what your class teacher is telling you with a grain of salt. If they are very negative about you then don't take it at face value, really think carefully and speak with your tutor. I'm saying this as someone who was torn to shreds by their first placement teacher but got great tutor feedback, super placements 2 and 3 and a very successful probation year. They aren't always right, and beause I took my placement teacher's comments so seriously, I still had real issues with my confidence throughout my entire student and probation year.

Good luck :D

[letsghostdance]

I completely forgot about weekly reflections! What a waste of time!

[Fixinggood]

Ah thanks for the other comments, I'm just seeing them.

We don't have reflections as such but a "blog" to keep so it's similar.

I should have said in my op but it's secondary school so lots of age groups

I'm quite excited about the placement but nervous as I've been having issues with my joints lately so hoping I'll cope in my feet for most of the day.

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

Loads of good advice here already so I'll just say good luck. Keep posting. This is generally a helpful board

[rollonthesummer]

I have heard that things in Scotland aren't as bad as here, so I won't advise you to do something else!

Definitely 'posh up' so that you look like a professional. Don't stand for any nonsense which the kids will inevitably try. They won't see you like 'their' teacher yet, but if you're firm but fair, you will be ok. The old saying 'don't smile 'till Christmas' is a good one to remember! It doesn't really work in EYFS, but I think it does for the older ones.

Don't leave paperwork and marking-get it done whilst it's fresh in your mind. Don't take everything your class teacher says as gospel-the ones in my school that get given students are usually full of sh*te and their own importance!

Batch cook at the weekends and get a cleaner!

Good luck!

[elephantoverthehill]

Best of luck - but you don't need it because you will be fantastic.

[Fixinggood]

Thanks all very much! I'm up and excited. Let's hope this feeling lasts all week! :)

[Ohwhatfuckeryisthis]

Don't hog all the computers in the staff room and bring biscuits!
Follow the school behaviour policy to the letter. Don't get walked over. By anyone.
Have a great placement.

[PotteringAlong]

Make sure you can write your name straight on the board. Nothing says student teacher more than wonky writing!

Polish your shoes - scruffy shoes will be noticed!

[BigcatLittlecat]

Don't be the last one in and the first to leave!

[Fixinggood]

I'm loving it so far thanks, kids have been good, even the not so good ones, but I think it's due to me being a bit more mature so not looking like a younger student. I'm in an all male dept so I think they've all taken me under there wing a bit, they are great.

Fingers crossed it stays like this although I am EXHAUSTED!!

I came on last night to update but I see funny going ons are happening again with mn??