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Original poster

Please help - teaching assistant task at interview

20 replies

Bobbster · 02/07/2021 18:28

I have an interview for a TA position next week. I have had quite a few over the past few months, feedback is always that I answered the interview questions well but my task has not been the strongest in the group. So I really need help to nail it this time.

I have to do an activity of my choice for 20 minutes for 6 year 2 children, no more specific instructions. I also have to take in an object that means something to me and talk about it. I really have no idea where to start! Any ideas?

OP posts:
RabbitBeaver · 02/07/2021 18:54

Can you check the school website to see what they’ve been doing? Check the KPI’s for the end of year two and base your activity around that with differentiation. Make sure you go over the lesson so you really know what you’re doing. Use resources to make the lesson more interactive. Have a clear aim for your lesson that you can explain during the interview part. Engage with the kids and encourage them.

As for the object, take something that’s meaningful to you and that you can show a passion for. It will let them see your personality.

korawick12345 · 02/07/2021 19:02

@Bobbster

I have an interview for a TA position next week. I have had quite a few over the past few months, feedback is always that I answered the interview questions well but my task has not been the strongest in the group. So I really need help to nail it this time.

I have to do an activity of my choice for 20 minutes for 6 year 2 children, no more specific instructions. I also have to take in an object that means something to me and talk about it. I really have no idea where to start! Any ideas?

In the nicest possible way, if you can’t think of anything to do for what is a very clear and straightforward brief are you sure you will be a good TA. The last things schools need are TAs who need micromanaging and lack initiative. It’s your interview, it should be your idea.
QueenofBrickdon · 02/07/2021 19:14

Sorry I can't help but I've just applied for a job as a TA. Is this a thing at all TA interviews? It's not a job I've done before. Although I do have plenty of experience of working with children.

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TeenMinusTests · 02/07/2021 19:34

I thought teachers had to set tasks in classrooms?

How about a number game for number bond practice?

Or expanding sentences for added detail?
The cat sat
The cat sat on the mat
The fat cat sat on the mat
The fat cat sat on the red mat.
The fat cat sat quietly on the red mat.

TeenMinusTests · 02/07/2021 19:35

kora You should see the number of posters in Staffroom asking for interview lesson ideas...

WallaceinAnderland · 02/07/2021 19:41

What is the learning objective? 20 minutes isn't very long. A short book is always good. For example, The Something is a fab book to encourage speaking and listening and also writing if there is time.

You could read the book, ask the children to talk to their partner for a few minutes and then children feed back their ideas. In interview say that, with more time, you would extend it to children writing what they think is in the hole. You would be expecting them to write one, two or three and more sentences, depending on ability and would want correct punctuation, adjectives, conjunctions, etc. where appropriate.

TeenMinusTests · 02/07/2021 19:43

is the object for the interview or for the children?
For interview think why you want to be a TA and take an object in relating to that.
For the children take an object in that links to a history topic (eg this is my Gran/Mum in the 1960s when women had to stop work when they got married ....)?

WallaceinAnderland · 02/07/2021 19:53

this is my Gran/Mum in the 1960s when women had to stop work when they got married

Don't do that OP. Opening a whole can of worms Shock

You could take an unusual object they may have never seen and let them handle it - a fossil or a shell for example. You could take a selection of objects and ask them to sort them according to material. You need to do something that relates to the curriculum.

Don't take an object into the interview, well not if you really want the job.

TeenMinusTests · 02/07/2021 19:55

Well possibly Wallace Grin

TeenMinusTests · 02/07/2021 19:58

A record, cassette, and CD?

A2BviaCandD · 02/07/2021 20:24

Choose 2 books. One fiction one non fiction. Mention fiction, non fiction characteristics. What do they think it could be? What makes them think that? Who thinks this is fiction? Who thinks this is non fiction? Tell them which is which. Why? Contents page, index, headings, facts, pictures.
Make predictions. What is this story about. Look at front cover. Read blurb Read the first few pages. Get children to take turns to read. Look online beforehand and see if there are any worksheets you can print off to finish session. Summarise. Today we looked at fiction and non fiction. Who remembers the difference between the two. Let's look at our predictions. Was any of us correct.

WallaceinAnderland · 02/07/2021 20:29

@TeenMinusTests

A record, cassette, and CD?
Only if you can explain how music is recorded onto each when they inevitably ask Grin

A musical instrument might be good. Not one that will have already used in school and also one that is covid safe (ie no wind instruments).

korawick12345 · 02/07/2021 20:36

@TeenMinusTests

kora You should see the number of posters in Staffroom asking for interview lesson ideas...
That’s also pretty dire!
PennyRoyal · 02/07/2021 20:41

I'd take one of my pets (probably very unwise though!)

Rosesareyellow · 02/07/2021 20:41

The main point of the activity will be to see how you interact with the kids. So pick something that links to a subject or topic you enjoy - they’ll probably ask why you chose the activity later in the interview so you want something you can talk enthusiastically about - and gives you the chance to do lots of talking with the children, not talking at them. Maybe a maths game that you can play together. Or read a short book to them and then find a quick activity that links to it. I wouldn’t overcomplicate it.

Rosesareyellow · 02/07/2021 20:44

Or google ‘explorify’ and sign up - it’s got lots of science speaking and listening activities. Sciency ‘odd one out’ games are great for a quick discussion activity.

Tal45 · 02/07/2021 20:52

Do you have a hobby OP? You could take something related to that. Or you could take in something from your childhood ie a favourite toy if you still have anything like that.

For the activity I'd do a fun science one looking at how animals are adapted to their environment, make sure they understand the vocab, have a few pictures of adapted animals to have a quick talk through, see if they can think of other animals and their adaptations and then all design a monster on a flip whiteboard together that has adaptations for it's environment.

MildredPuppy · 02/07/2021 20:52

What do you normally do in the task? Is it something you can build on or improve ?

Original poster
Bobbster · 02/07/2021 21:18

Thanks @korawick12345. I should add I am a TA already, I was just thrown by the object really. Is a photo really lame? I do need to ask for clarification of whether it's for the kids or the interview panel, I get the impression it's the latter.

Also as I have had a few unsuccessful interviews recently I just wanted some ideas of what works well in a task to see how I can improve. So far I have been asked to do something specific, eg read a book, play a maths game, get reception kids to write a shopping list etc.

OP posts:
Concestor · 02/07/2021 21:43

Make a musical instrument out of household stuff? My year 2 child would love that.

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