Advice for NQT!

[Meganliz123]

I've just completed my PGCE and am starting my first job this September! I won't have my own classroom this year, so I'll be moving inbetween different classes depending on what class I teach. This means I'll be setting up resources, PowerPoints etc. whilst my students are entering the classroom. I'm a little apprehensive because during my PGCE, I would have my class set up before the students entered so I was ready to settle them and start the lesson ASAP.

Does anyone have any tips on the best way I can get my students settled whilst setting up my classroom! Establishing routines is so important for me this year because I taught with a multiple of teachers during my PGCE, so I had to follow a different routine for each clas in terms of welcoming and settling students!

Thank you!

Personally, I'd prep worksheet based starters for each lesson. Train them to get in and get on with them while you're setting up. Based on previous knowledge that ideally links to the lesson.

Like TV shows... 'Previously in Geography...' or whatever your subject is.

Good luck!

Of course! Why didn't I think of that? Can differentiate as well. Great tip - thank you!

Depends on you, your IT system however two approaches I've tried in the past.

Paper based starters handed out straight away and expectation is they are completed in silence. Students who you know will do it quickly hand out books etc. However in corona world not sure how book handing out and stuff will work.

Second approach is walk in, log on, handout books and write date and title on the board. Once you have done this computer system has usually loaded and students do date and title while you get PPT on. I favour this approach now as no handing out sheets that don't get stuck in etc. However ICT needs to be relatively quick.

Whatever you choose, spend a lot of time in the first lesson modelling the process. If it takes 4 attempts to get the books out how you want, then keep doing it. Same with them handing them in. I'm assuming they will pass them forwards rather than physically move. So get them practising the route you want them to pass. Sounds picky but like you say, those routines are so important.

Yes, I think I'll stick with the paper based starters, but after I hand out books and write dates etc on the board. This will give more time for IT to load because it's not the best!

Establishing that routine in the first lesson is also a great idea - thank you!

I would check with your school as lots are now moving to silent closed question starters (a Rosenshine-ish idea). In mine we have to all have a ppt slide (same format) with 5-10 closed questions.

Although as we are all moving around due to year group bubbles we have been told to print them out and stick in

I would check with your school as lots are now moving to silent closed question starters (a Rosenshine-ish idea). In mine we have to all have a ppt slide (same format) with 5-10 closed questions

We are doing this. I like it, nice structured way to start every lesson. And because the kids do it in every subject it’s a very well established routine.

I’m an NQT too. In my school the kids will stay in one classroom and the teachers move to them. I’m worried about even finding the right room, let alone starting them damned PowerPoint.

We were told no sheets but who knows what rules September will bring!

We aren't moving around, we have to have resources on desks before they arrive (distributed with freshly sanitised hands). Additional resources given out by trusted students.

They will keep hold of their books.

Our computers are not fast. If I were moving rooms I'd plan to do the first 15 mins without it.

But every school is different, so a quick check with your mentor or HOD is well worth it.

And if you are taking books in, don't try to make the routines overly complicated in the hope of saving time.

I thought I could train them to pass the books to the end of the row in the correct order so they were easy to give out next lesson. Nope. Almost impossible to train them to pass anything at all.

Take one and pass it on for worksheets - too complicated!

Giving them the next worksheet while you're taking - they'll stop listening to look at it.