Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Just got my first supply contract!

13 replies

riab · 09/01/2007 15:41

just wanted to share, i got offered my first teaching supply job today. p/t hours, very close to home and nursery. ideal!

now i just have 4 days to get horribly nervous about handling A level students

OP posts:
suzycreamcheese · 09/01/2007 16:12

hey, sounds great and big time

...er until i got to the teenage student bit!
well done and all very best with it

Blandmum · 09/01/2007 16:21

It will be great! What subject?

Original poster
riab · 09/01/2007 16:24

Media studies (yikes)

I can do english and they were desperate for someone. Actually i think A level should be easier in a way than stroppy 13 yr olds. They're a bit more mature and they did choose to be doing this subject!

I'm just scared about all the 'jargon' and technical terms I don't know.

(also a bit worried about if they will take me seriuosly, I still remember my A levels as if it were last year,....... god just realised I turn 31 this month aaaaaagh)

OP posts:
Cadbury · 09/01/2007 16:24

well done - you are braver than I. I'm still recovering from my last teaching experience 6 years ago

Blandmum · 09/01/2007 16:26

You will enjoy teaching sixth form, and it is a lot easier than teaching younger kids. Don't expect them all to be super keen though!

Original poster
riab · 09/01/2007 16:50

mb, do you teach? any tips for handling A level students?

OP posts:
fizzbuzz · 09/01/2007 17:07

Does supply mean you don't mark hwk???!!!!What bliss.....

6th form are v nice to teach, but not how I remember. 6th form can be noisy and v fond of mobile phones...we used to sit in silence..

Very entertaining and pleasant to teach, but also very very demanding at an intellectual level, watch for clever ones who will try and test you! Often feel more exhausted after 6th form than Y8 on a Fri afternnon(nightmare)but in a different sort of intense way! Y8 just horrible and naughty, and therefore exhausting in a discipline type way!

Best of luck...go and enjoy it, they can be good fun

Blandmum · 10/01/2007 11:37

Yes, I teach science and biology at A level. I teach kids from 11 to 18.

Re the sixth form. With luck you shouldn't have too much trouble with them, since they have chosen your subject and theoretically they should want to be there ;)

I love teaching sixth formers, though I have the advantage of having taught many of them for many years.

I like to be more friendly with them, and make it a more 'equal' relationship' but at the same time you can't be their friend, since you may have to bollock them if they don't work!

Make your expectations clear, H/w done by this day etc. I also give mune lots of mock exams etc, to give them lots of exam practice and to keep them on their toes. The biggest problems is getting them to realise that there is a big jump from GCSE to AS, and they actually have to work if they want good results.

fizzbuzz · 10/01/2007 12:50

Yes will second Mb on the fact they have to work. Some see it as an extension of their social life. I agree that jump from GCSE to AS is very big jump academically, probably biggest jump they will ever have to do, and is also huge jump for time management and organisation.Some really struggle with it.

Good luck!!

Original poster
riab · 10/01/2007 13:01

I do have to set and mark homwork and help them with exam prep as its a 6 week assignment.

Thanks for the tips, I am a bit concerend about my ability to handle complex questions from the bright ones as its not my subject, but on the other hand I DO feel confident about helping them with sutdy skills, time management and exam prep. I've been studying with the OU so I've had all those study skills in use very recently.

Like the idea of mock exams, my A level ones have an exam on ther 23rd so will download an old exam paper and see how they handle it the week before.

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 10/01/2007 13:20

(NB Martianbishop if you have a sec could you pop into 'A useless thread for things that mystify you...'? We could do with the benefit of your superior science knowledge? (and your patience )

fizzbuzz · 10/01/2007 13:22

Just be honest with them about complex questions. Often get asked questions that I don't always know answer to, and just say "haven't a clue-don't know everything about everything!" then suggest they find the answer for hwk...sometimes we never get to know the answer as you can imagine with that ploy.......However always go away and look for answer myself, ready for next smart arse....

fizzbuzz · 10/01/2007 13:34

Don't worry about "jargon"...we don't understand it either!...just pretend...or play Buzzword Bingo. Always livens up a boring staff meeting that!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page