TA interview, reading activity ideas please!

[Hamsternautss]

I have an interview coming up for a TA role (I asked what year group/s the position is for and so far they dont know!) and really want this role so much (great school, part time hours), I need to really blow them away.

I have been volunteering in an infants school in reception only so far, but recently got as a midday supervisor at a different school.

The task is to read a story of my choice to 6 children of mixed ability from either year 2 or year 3 and then lead an activity related to the book. I'm not sure what story to go for as y3 y2 is a bit beyond what I have experience with. I'm not sure whether to read a chapter from a book or if there are picture books that are suitable for that age range that I can read the whole of and do an activity within the 20 mins.

Can anyonr offer any ideas of books, or tips or guudance? I feel happy about the interview, it's just getting an engaging book and planning a task that has stumped me a bit. I really want to engage the children but equally want it to be appropriate.

I've read all of the schools newsletters this year so far but theres nothing on there about their current topic I can link it to.

Look at “the day the crayons quit”. Twinkl have loads of resources for it. It’s about teaching empathy and thinking how others feel. The children think about how each crayon feels and why they are quitting. The activity could be thinking of new things that each colour could colour and writing a simple sentence/ letter explaining why this might help.

Have you looked at the schools website, they should have class/year pages with their terms learning overview on there, that should give you an idea of what they are doing, good luck!

I'm secondary but ask for info on children such as SEND reading age ability and then ask the pupils appropriate questions.

Also pick an engaging title and ask for a prediction at the start. Look at the blurb etc pre plan you questions.

Take some name labels and write the names on so you can use their names. You could colour code them red green amber for ability too so you can target your questions.

Plan backwards - what do you want to achieve and how can you get there?

Keep it super simple maybe focus on adjectives using nouns from the story to describe. Then ask them to come up with sentences.

The three little wolves and the big bad pig is a fabulous book!!

Giraffe can't dance. A lovely book about being different. You can discuss about self-esteem and persistence, and about accepting that everyone is different. Good luck.