Help! Ideas for a job interview lesson!

[nottonightjoesphine]

Hi everyone, can you help?

I'm going for an interview for a job as a TA. I am a qualified secondary teacher (11 years). I want to take a step back from the pressure and decided I try as a TA. I know it comes with it's own challenges, and right now I'm terrified of the prospect that I may fall flat on my face! I've been asked to deliver a lesson/activity on phonics for a small group of Year 1 children.

I'm flummoxed. What can I do? They are so tiny, I don't even know how to pitch at that level! Please help if you can!

You need to know what phase they are currently working at, and preferably, what sounds they already know within that phase. The expectation is that most Y1 children will be confident within phase 5 by this point in Y1, but you may well be given the lower group, who could be anywhere from phase 2 to phase 4! Ask, then look for phonic activities at that phase, online. Have a good read of 'Letters and Sounds' first, as it will help you understand the way phonics is taught now.

Letters and Sounds

Thanks for that, have been reading some of that these last few days, I do need to find out what phase they are at then, don't i? It's huge!

I was a TA / helper in primary for twenty-five years, and it can be a lovely environment to work in!

If you don't get to know in advance what Phase the group is on, I would err on the lower side rather than higher. If they ARE good at it you can tell them how amazing they are!

Go slowly, and be prepared for them to possibly not pay enough attention, not understand etc. (Though in my experience secondary don't always pay that much attention either!)

You may be told in advance a suitable 'big book' you could use: make sure the group can all see it; invite them to tell you what they know/can see on pages, both text and pictures. I would guess the main interest from the panel will be how you interact with, control and engage the children. (I assume they KNOW you are coming from secondary?)

I always feel a touch of humour, or at least some lightness, can help. Maybe even TELL the group you worked with 'big' children previously, and give mock surprise at how 'tiny' these children are, which hopefully, they will indignantly deny!

Have your own books or suitable props available in case needed; and may be something from your secondary world?

Re Phonics: in the MN Book Reviews, 'Children's educational books and courses' section, the Oxford Phonics Spelling Dictionary I think is a useful volume, and could be shown to the group possibly.

Above all, ENJOY it, and ensure the children also enjoy it!