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Original poster

Help with teaching interview- introducing a book

45 replies

Mintsmints · 22/05/2021 18:54

My sister has an interview for her NQT year and has been given the task of introducing a book to year 4. She had half an hour and the kids have never read any of this book but will be reading it next term. Any tips at all she wants to be interactive and obviously engage the kids and make them excited about the book.

OP posts:
Dancingbythelightofthemoon2020 · 22/05/2021 18:56

What's the book? Might help to be able to think of ways in..

Original poster
Mintsmints · 22/05/2021 19:17

The Balaclava Story by George Layton

There was once a boy called George, who more than anything wanted a balaclava. If only he had one, then he could join the ‘Balaclava Boys’. But his mum refused to buy him one.
Whenever he was with his friends, they wouldn’t play with him. “You’re not a Balaclava Boy!” they taunted. “If you haven’t got one, you can’t join in.” He felt he was losing all his friends.
Later, George came out of class to wash his hands and found a balaclava on the floor, it was Norbert's. Without thinking, he picked it up and tried to fit it in his pocket. It was too big, so he stuffed it down the sleeve of his coat. At that moment, he realised that what he had done was wrong!
As soon as George arrived home from school he couldn't wait to get rid of the balaclava. He checked the sleeve of his coat, but it wasn't there and thought that maybe he had lost it whilst running home.
When George's mum got home from work, she had bought him a present, a balaclava! However, he couldn't wear it because everyone would think it was Norbert's.
The next day, feeling worried, he saw Norbert was wearing his balaclava! George asked if he had a new one. Norbert replied, "No, I never lost it. Some fool had shoved it down the sleeve of my raincoat!"
Feeling relived, George realised what had happened and vowed never to steal again. [Story retold from the original with Year 3/4 story making language.]

OP posts:
year5teacher · 22/05/2021 19:20

Did she rewrite the story?

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Original poster
Mintsmints · 22/05/2021 19:34

Yes it’s rewritten but that is the gist of it. It’s set in the 1950s. She doesn’t have to read it she has to introduce it. It’s only 8 pages long there are no pictures at all

OP posts:
October2020 · 22/05/2021 19:38

Draw a picture of what you imagine a balaclava boy to look like, underlining which words stand out/build the scene, each group finds all the adjectives/adverbs/fronted adverbial or whatever else they're covering in class at the moment, freeze frames for each scene, make a map of main and other characters, draw emotions on blank faces for each character....

Hate to be one of those people, but your sister needs to think of her own ideas really. Copying someone else's never goes well and she'll fall apart during the lesson or in the interview afterwards if it didn't come from her teaching style.

Original poster
Mintsmints · 22/05/2021 19:43

Yep she has ideas but just wanted to make sure she was on the right track really. More I think if anyone had actually heard of the story. She doesn’t know I have posted

OP posts:
Daisydad · 22/05/2021 19:46

Plus she really ought not to say NQT year, it reflects a staggering lack of awareness.
Now two years and called ECT.
Also, not very honest getting a job on other people’s ideas. She’ll soon be found out if she gets the job.
Headteacher here......

Mookie81 · 22/05/2021 20:01

Practical- use an actual balaclava, discuss what it makes them think of.
Hot seating- children role play characters.

And yes she needs to make her own plan Hmm.

Stichintime · 22/05/2021 20:07

Has she chosen the book and rewritten it herself? The use of the word 'fool' is bound to generate some lively discussion she could do without!

MadeinBelfast · 22/05/2021 20:12

I think it's fine to ask for ideas to help with her interview - I'm sure we all do it. Please remind her that it's also an opportunity for her to 'interview' the school and if they come across as unsupportive or especially pedantic about terminology it may not be a nice place to work.....

Daisydad · 22/05/2021 20:18

@MadeinBelfast

I think it's fine to ask for ideas to help with her interview - I'm sure we all do it. Please remind her that it's also an opportunity for her to 'interview' the school and if they come across as unsupportive or especially pedantic about terminology it may not be a nice place to work.....
Or perhaps professionally demanding. 150 applicants for posts makes it easy to aim high. Just saying.
MaryBoBary · 22/05/2021 20:20

@Daisydad can you please explain what ECT is and why she shouldn't use NQT? I have applied for teacher training and the programmes all state "NQT status".

Daisydad · 22/05/2021 20:23

New career framework in place for Sept 2021.
Early career teacher.

year5teacher · 22/05/2021 20:27

Ok, I just asked as there’s a spelling mistake and some minor grammatical errors. Nothing that matters in the slightest in normal life but for a teaching interview I would make sure it’s perfect if that’s the text she will be showing them.

KibeththeWalker · 22/05/2021 20:30

NQT year has been replaced by Early Career Teacher framework. People will be considered an ECT for two years.

Introducing a book usually involves looking at the cover and blurb and making predictions about the story. You might look at the first paragraph(s) and map what you find out about the main character and the setting.

I don't understand why she's rewritten it? That will not help with looking at author's language choices etc.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 22/05/2021 20:32

Check they know what a balaclava is. Take one in. Talk about who would wear one/ when/why.

Draw one they might like to have or draw one they would choose for a friend.

More acronyms then. ECT implies a career. Not sure that’s the case these days.

KibeththeWalker · 22/05/2021 20:35

Blimey, I've just read the opening of the original. I really wouldn't go with the re-write!

TenThousandSpoons · 22/05/2021 20:40

I would look at the title and make sure they know what a balaclava is (showing them a real one would be good). Read the opening couple of paragraphs and ask them how it feels to be left out if your friends all have something. Then read up to where he finds a balaclava on the floor and maybe do some drama based around that moment. Either hotseat a child and ask them questions or split the class in half to act as his conscience, one half saying reasons he should take the balaclava for himself and one half saying why he shouldn’t take it.

BlackElephant · 22/05/2021 20:41

The text in the OP is copied from a text that is everywhere- very Twinkl type -and the child in the image doesnt have a balaclava on

copthorne.j2webby.com/?p=824
www.broadheath.coventry.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Balaclava-Story-short-version.pdf

TenThousandSpoons · 22/05/2021 20:42

I imagine the text has been re-written to send a summary to the sister, not that that version is going to be introduced to the class...

TenThousandSpoons · 22/05/2021 20:44

Sorry Blackelephant that was a cross post. If the school is often using Twinkl type abridged stories rather than real texts your sister might rather not work there.

KibeththeWalker · 22/05/2021 20:46

[quote BlackElephant]The text in the OP is copied from a text that is everywhere- very Twinkl type -and the child in the image doesnt have a balaclava on

copthorne.j2webby.com/?p=824
www.broadheath.coventry.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-Balaclava-Story-short-version.pdf[/quote]
Sad times. That has changed it from quite an interesting text, along the lines of Tyke Tyler, to one that is, frankly, pretty lame.

Golfbuggy76 · 22/05/2021 20:48

@Mintsmints I have taught this book before. I'm confused when you say she has rewritten it but doesn't need to read it to them?

The language used in it from the 1950s is actually an interesting point of discussion with the children once they are reading the book as they can discuss key words that show it is from the last (use of blackboards and some other language used such as out house etc).

There is the classic book zip (place a copy of the book / front and back covers in a zipped wallet for children to discuss/predict what they think the story will be about. Also she could bring in objects that are key to the story e.g. a balaclava, black board rubber, chalk to start a discussion about what the book could be about

Original poster
Mintsmints · 22/05/2021 21:43

Sorry I meant to say that it had been rewritten and seems to be all over the place not that my sister had written it, someone else has but someone on here wanted the gist of the story and I counldnt find a good sonopsis for the oringal one

OP posts:
Original poster
Mintsmints · 22/05/2021 21:46

So my sister has not rewritten it I got that from the internet. Sorry I got confused.
As I have said I took it upon myself to post here but I will not pass any ideas onto my sister and let her go her own way with it.

OP posts: