never before seen quadruple science with the flexi group- science teachers I am going to need your help

[Cathpot]

HOD apologetically called me into his office with 'some news' about my timetable for september. I have flexi group next year- ie a group of about 15 of the most disaffected year 10s who are on a reduced timetable and herded into one group so they dont ruin everyone else's lessons. They can be..tricky.

This is not the end of the world as have had similar groups before, so I have some strategies.

Then he says 'and they have timetabled it so every second week you have them for 4 lessons in a row'.

Cue nervous hysteria.

So have taken deep breath and am now thinking of ways to make this work without me (or them) hating it.To add to it all the first 2 lessons are not in a science lab which really limits activities. I am looking for any ideas really, but particularly things to break up very long sessions. Also ideas for games would be great, or webites to go to for games.

If I survive I will be legend.

Cathpot, you can have a ginormous and very shiny medal from here -well done surving that. I take it quadruple science won't be repeated for anyone next year!!

How was it?

It was actually worse than I was expecting. 16 kids all very very reluctant to be in school (on a flexi timetable so only in for core subjects) and hugely reluctant to actually engage brain, in some cases in any way at all. 8 were basically nice kids but aspiring to an E grade so school and a GCSE in science really not their thing, 4 ok kids and basically inert as long as you didnt try and get them to work, which foolishly I did, and 4 really tricky and in 2 cases nasty characters. Couple that with the fact I am new to them so we had the whole testing the boundaries thing, and their excitingly unpredictable home lives meant you were never sure what mood anyone was in. Then put the first 2 of 4 lessons in a french room nowhere near the prep room- what can I say, not enjoyable.

My feelings aside, it also created trouble in that quite often we would survive the first 2 lessons only for someone to really kick off in the 3rd or 4th- lots of behaviour management created basically by the situation. Also I lost 2 lessons a week as I couldnt get 4 lessons worth of facts into them in one go. Am I ranting? A bit. Still next year we will have 3 doubles over 2 weeks, the worst 2 kids are finally toeing the line and I have a friendly relationship with some and a civil one with most. In some ways I think next year I will worry less about their grades, fight for lab time and just do practial practical practical.

Sorry JMHPG, realised you probably didnt need the whole year in summary. I do feel better now, thankyou!

You're welcome :)

Sounds grim though.

jeepers, can i take back the ginormous medal and give you one the size of saturn instead!