TA Interview

[kymianne]

I have a job interview in 3 days time. My task is to read a book of my choice to a group of year 4's. We then need to have a discussion about it afterwards...
Any recommendations? I was thinking a picture book, but was worried this was too 'young' for them, but at the same time it's not enough time to read what they usually would at that age...

HELP!!!

I'd agree depending on the level a picture book could be problematic. How about a short story? Or one of Roald Dahl revolting rhymes?

Forgot to mention that I only have 20 minutes for the whole thing!!

When I’ve worked in Yr4 previously, they loved The Chicken Who Hatched a Cow’
I think that’s what it’s called anyway! Was a few years ago. They really enjoyed guessing what the next animal on the page could be and it was fun to read as it’s rhyming.

2 options of the top of my head.

First chapter of a book - could then discussed the characters, setting, problem and what might happen next.

Any of the 'Oi" picture books such as oi cat, oi dog or oi frog. Could then discuss other rhyming words that the animals could sit on.

The task seems to be more about how you interact than actually teaching anything as such so make sure you know the book and have maybe a mini whiteboard/paper and pen to map the children's ideas. Model an idea first to give them ideas.

This is just top of my head so hope it helps

It's fine to read a picture book to year 4s - as long as you choose one suitable fir their age group. It's more about themes than whether there are pictures. Research picture books for younger juniors / lower KS 2. Plan questions that will make them think about the theme / character / plot. If you just read it, you won't show whether you know how to interact with the book and how to ask appropriate questions.

I would do The Promise by Nicola Davies. Lots of conversation and deeper thinking.

Year 4's will need more than a picture book.

What about a reading from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe?

Some good ideas here thanks. I'm thinking I'll probably be best off reading a chapter of a book and going from there...

I agree with this. The promise would be a good choice.

I don’t think there’s an issue with using picture books in year 4. There’s some brilliant, thought provoking texts out there. The wall in the middle of the book, The Proudest Blue, We’re all wonders, The seeds of friendship, to name a few more.

What about The Enormous Crocodile?

The first chapter of 'The Iron Man' has gone done well with Y4s.

Picture books are amazing for any age. Check the "booksfortopics" site to find a good book. The promise is an excellent suggestion. Themes are beautiful and the language includes vocabulary that will challenge year 4 and gorgeous metaphors.

Interviewers will be looking for how you interact with the children and how you think on your feet when needed. They will see more of that if you read a short picture book and think of a few key questions to discuss.

Book of Bees- picture but great for Y4

Look on the website for what they have read in Y3 an choose another by and author? You can then ask them what they remember/can recall

Iron Man is a good suggestion- look on website to see if they have already read it

The journey- no words- search you tube to see it - wordless - lots of ops for open ended questions-

the arrival -probably the best- again a picture book - wordless about migration -would suit some school really well

Of course they won't!
Picture books are amazing with KS2.

If you use a picture book then focus on just a few pages
Think about the vocab that you want to use
Think about how to get them thinking and relating to own experience and /or past knowledge

www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/recommended-reads/year-4/