So I went back to teaching in February at a new school after maternity leave, having done online teaching in lockdown. I’ve gone from a full size two form entry school to a tiny village school.
And I can’t bloody teach them! It’s a small Y4 class with no challenges (no EAL, SEN, behaviour issues etc) and yet it’s far harder than my last few classes of 32 which had lots of complex children.
I ensure all children are looking, explain the task using minimal steps, visual instructions, a clear and slow voice. Yet half of them totally do the wrong thing as they just haven’t properly listened. I have to repeat instructions for a task about 6/7 times. Even if I bring the class back together to repeat myself, 2/3 children are always not listening.
I teach them something, they can do it (although many need handholding the entire way through), and by the next day it’s disappeared from their brain. I have explained to them how to multiply by 10 numerous time this week, and every morning when we revisit it, many of them act like they’ve never heard of it before.
I know I’m a good teacher and have never had this before, so can only put this down to covid and the constant adult support they got at home. I’m a patient person but I’m finding myself becoming so frustrated which is not the teacher I want to be. Anyone else in this position? What can I do?