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MY JOB IS A TEACHER

A student in my year 8 Music class asked me the other day where I was last Thursday. The class had a relief teacher as I was home looking after my daughter. All of a sudden the class was asking me about her. How old is she? What’s her name? I couldn’t help but start talking about my daughter. I eventually showed them some photos of her on the smart board as the students wanted to hear about my family. It was at this moment I realised the students had only known me as a ‘teacher’. It got me thinking that I am not a teacher. My job is a teacher. I am a Dad, Son, Brother, and Husband. I love cooking, reading, playing the guitar and the list goes on.  I have found students have treated me differently (in a good way) since sharing about my family and this got me thinking. People in society say ‘oh, you’re a teacher’ or students think of you as a teacher. No, I’m not a 'teacher', my job is a teacher. I believe students have been more respectful to me in and out of class since I’ve f...
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Students Today

When I was at school watching a movie at the end of term was a real treat. It was fun watching a movie with the class. I still remember it today. Having said that, students today don’t really watch a movie if you put one on.  I will put on a movie, scan the room and see only a few people are actually watching it. It’s not special anymore. They can watch a movie at recess on their phone so it’s not special. Plus they watch movies or series well above the suggested rating for their age. So putting on a PG movie is lame to them as they will be watching MA15+. Students have changed since you went to school. Technology has improved, communication has evolved, parenting is different and students today have seen more about the world than you had by the time you were 25 years old. This doesn’t mean they understand it all, but they have seen it. A few weeks ago I watched a small group of year 7 students mimic teachers and how they talk. It was actually pretty funny. It got me thinking. St...

NO-FUSS WEBSITES I USE EACH DAY

  10 No-Fuss Websites I use each day  Classroom Screen - https://classroomscreen.com/ Daily agenda, stopwatch/countdown timer, QR code, class list for a random name generator and the list goes on. It’s my number-one go-to website. Pobble 365 - https://www.pobble365.com/ - Literacy activities. BTN - https://www.abc.net.au/btn/classroom/ - General activities. Kahoot! - https://create.kahoot.it/ - Educational quizzes Blooket - Similiar to Kahoot but very fun. https://www.blooket.com/ Education.com - https://www.education.com/ - Worksheets, activities Google Music Lab - Lots of fun activities for creative and easy ways to make music. ClickView - https://www.clickview.com.au/ - Educational tutorials, videos and movies. Sign in with DOE email.  World Book - https://www.worldbook.com.au/ - STEM, Trivia Quizzes, History, Science, sport, space etc Wordwall -  https://wordwall.net/ Classroom Screen

BULLET POINT TIPS ON TEACHING

Building rapport is the key to teaching. Know your students. Even the most challenging ones. Minimum: Know their name and hobby.  Relax - Their behaviour is not a reflection of you. You can plan and be the most experienced teacher. There will always be students who will rock the boat. It’s not just you it happens too. You'll find other teachers will experience similar behaviour.  If something bad happens then it happens. You’re not in control of everything. Make sure you communicate and document what happens.  About ⅓ of the class most likely need extra specialised support.  Students are sussing you out as much as you are to them.  No matter the situation - don’t yell or act like it’s out of control. Talk and move with purpose. Be kind always no matter the behaviour.  Talk to the behaviour and not them personally. eg: ‘Your behaviour is disgusting”  Classrooms can be loud and sometimes that can be ok. Scan the room to check that most students are on tr...

3 Different Types of Challenging Behaviour and How to Respond

3 DIFFERENT TYPES OF BEHAVIOUR IN THE CLASSROOM The Talker: Won’t stop talking or interrupting you and the class.  The Do No Worker: This student will either do very little or no work. There are two types: Students that will either stop others from learning or students who try to go under the radar.  The Attitude: Defiant. Rude. Argumentative.  How I respond to each:  The Talker: It’s annoying but not actually that challenging. Focus on respect (being nice). Keep them busy with a practical task and involve them as much as you can as they want attention. Give them jobs. A seating plan doesn’t usually work so if you can apply them in your lesson you should have more luck. The Do No Worker: Negotiate work they can do and offer a ‘carrot’ such as free time. They may not do work for a range of reasons. Also, most times it can take more time for them to start work. Check in with them after about 5 minutes and offer assistance to start or complete the task.  The Atti...

A Relief Teaching Plan When There is NO LESSON PLAN!

This a quick guide for when you get into a class and the teacher has not left any work for you to do. I have been in this situation many times and instead of panicking I have this formula and it works every time. It's tough being a casual relief teacher as I have been working as one for the last 2 years. Without going through these issues and situations I would have never learned different strategies to help me get through it. The day is broken down as mentioned in the video:- MORNING: Literacy Activity Brain Break Math Text Book Pack Up Perfect ------------- Lunch/Recess ------------- MIDDLE: Art Activity Brain Break Devices/Screen Time Pack Up Perfect ------------- Lunch/Recess ------------- END: PE - One to Three games outside ------------- Home Time

10 BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT Tips as a Relief Teacher

Here are 10 tips from my 2 years as a primary school relief teacher. It's funny, as soon as kids see they have a relief teacher everything changes. I bet most of the kids think 'sweet, we have a relief teacher, I don't have to do any work today'. It's hard to manage sometimes up to 30 kids in a class you've never stood foot in. Here are some ideas that might give you the edge to turn a challenging day into a really good one. I am learning each day as a substitute teacher but I honestly think starting out as a substitute teacher and then progressing into a full-time teacher is the best strategy. It helps you build experience whilst gathering your skills into how you want to deliver those learnings.  1. The Line-Up  2. The Introduction  3. Be Neutral  4. It's Inevitable  5. Fast Finishers  6. Smiley Face  7. Say 'Thanks'  8. Reward Systems  9. 1,2,3 Strikes 10. Build Relationships