Cassie’s Laws

I have loved every single minute of my probation year (well…most of them ) but I think it would have been helpful to have some genuine advice before starting!

Stuart Meldrum’s presentation last night did just that. I wish I had heard the honest version of probation before starting it! Tutors always give the nice version of everything and noone tells you that by Christmas you will feel like a complete Zombie and that your first two terms consist mainly of teaching, eating and sleeping. It’s only after Christmas I think that things begin to fall into place and you get a bit of your life back. Stuart’s post basically says the main points that loads of students would benefit from hearing.

One thing I would add is that, don’t expect too much too soon. Have a small bank of resources (especially if you’re in primary) to keep you going for the first week or so. Anything to do with summer – writing postcards, quizzes, maths puzzles, art activities and basic getting to know you activities.  Noone is expecting you to have your class up and running during the first weeks. Every teacher is coming to terms with their new class at this time.

Last night I was at TeachMeet student edition, it was a great night and I learned a lot. It was great to finally meet all the people Margaret talks about and also those I follow on twitter!

When presenting about my year of ICT with the class I didn’t think I would have enough to say to fill the time but I ended up with too much. I didn’t really get a chance to talk about the obstacles. I had only intended to talk about one. This was the lack of resources and also the quality of resources. However, after a couple of glasses of wine with Margaret I thought on something else that has been at the back of my mind for a while now. What’s going to happen to my kids next year?

I know I have to get out of the way of calling them mine and accept that at the end of every year this is what happens!

My experience with blogging last year was with Margaret’s P7 class. They loved it and it really prepared them for life outside Carronshore. For this reason I had no doubt that I wanted to use these tools with my own P5 class. However, recently I’ve started to think that this may not have been the best idea. I have seen the amazing results of pupil voice and encouraging personalisation and choice through online spaces. The kids have loved it and I have loved it. But…what will happen next year?

I do not mean to offend any other teachers as each teacher has something to offer that is different from the next one and next year they might get involved with something even better but I gave these children their own online space and now I don’t know if I’m going to have to take them away. I should really have considered this a while ago but I was so involved in the whole thing I didn’t think about what would happen after I left. I have prepared my kids for this and the were genuinely disappointed. I’m still hoping that I will be able to sort something out.

However, to end on a good note, our class blog will still be in use but next year it is going to be an Art Blog run by the art teacher at Carronshore. Can’t wait to see what she’s got planned!