“classroom in a box” my self-titled ‘new teacher’ readiness to teach plan. by denyse whelan....

May Be Used For New Teachers' Guidance. With Permission. Denyse Whelan.

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“Classroom In A Box”

My Self-Titled ‘New Teacher’ Readiness to Teach Plan.

By Denyse Whelan. B.Ed. M.Ed.K-6 Principal (ret).

This May Be Used With Acknowledgment By New Teachers.

Last year I had a day’s casual teaching at a local K-6 school. It took me back to ‘planning’ and ‘preparation’ days of long ago.Then, as I put together my ‘bits and pieces’ and ‘resources’ for a day in a school I realised I was taking so much of what I needed…it became this……“classroom in a box”. Here’s my ideas for YOU, the almost casual teacher, relief teacher, temporary teacher, new teacher.


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What’s a “Classroom In A Box?”

Of course it’s not a real classroom but it is a sturdy and covered bag on wheels that is ready at a moment’s notice for you to:

T E A C H anywhere and any class for the day or days booked.

• Who needs a “Classroom In a Box”?

• Teachers who are day-to-day/on-call ‘casual teachers.’

• Those new-to-teaching teachers….you…who want work..

• For money!

• In a school/what you have studied to do/and you are nearly there…

.


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“Classroom In a Box”is a good plan

1. Let’s get the classroom in a box packed!You never know when you might get “that call”2.”Can you work at our school today?”(noting the name of school, person who called you & location & time it takes you to get there)

3. Y E S You say!(check diary/calendar you have just for this occasion.. And it’s a day for teaching) IF you say NO (nicely) and for a legitimate reason you may get asked again.

Please Note:If you ask what class/stage/grade it is and do not ‘particularly like the sound of that class/stage/grade and say “no” to the day’s teaching, it will be highly unlikely you will be called for work there again


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Being Ready To Teach – On Call

• Time. Schools can call/text you in the morning of the teaching day or the night before. YOU need to be ready to say “yes” to work.

• How To Be Ready. Classroom in a Box is packed. In fact, it stays packed and is replenished by you, the casual teacher.

• YOU need to be ready. It is not enough to ‘wait’ for the call before getting dressed and making your way to the school.

• REALITY check. Do you really need to work ‘only close to home?’ Do you really want to work as a teacher?


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What goes in the box?Basic “Classroom In

a Box”• Your lunch, snack, cup, water, hat,

jacket/raingear, small change (staffroom coffee/tea fund)

• Your paperwork (if it’s your first role as a teacher).

• A portable file with already planned & run-off work ….just in case.. K-6. Not to be photocopied at school. Be ready.

• Your own stationery for marking, making notes for the teacher & some small stickers/stamp for class.

• A selection of storybooks (even older kids enjoy this) to read out loud.


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Next …Your Classroom in a Box

LABEL it all with your name!Classroom in a Box

• Pencils – sharpened lead. HB/2B. Your names on them.

• Coloured pencils ( a few of each colour) – sharpened.

• Whiteboard markers. Yes, have your own.

• Different types of lessons planned e.g. craft/PE/music – your skills & creativity used.


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Why might you add these?

My Additional Items.

Mini

Whiteboard

Tissues &

Gloves.

Hint: build your supplies now…

Why I added these…

• I had Year 1. But handy in any grade.

• I knew I would be doing floor-based work some of the time.

• I did not know if there’d be any way to write (often teachers leave things on whiteboard which you dare not wipe off)

• It was winter, and I was in portables so I had my supply of these. Helped when a kid’s drink spilled.


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More to The Classroom In a Box.

What I added.• Stickers

• Boy and girl puppets

• Soft bean bag/ball for catching & throwing inside

• Sets of pencils, textas etc.

• ALL labelled with your name. Ensure they are in a case/bag and labelled.

• Tissues and wipes & disposable gloves


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In My Classroom In a Box

Talking & Listening

Some children will respond to these in imaginative ways. Others may ‘talk’ to one of these rather than a ‘new’ teacher.

*Art & Craft Ideas & Plans.

Whatever you are comfortable teaching and can be organised quickly and easily, including pack up.

Dancing & Singing

Depending on the size of the room and the children’s needs this can be a welcome lesson break or a lesson in itself. Movement and fun at the same time.

*Outdoor activity Plans.

Whatever is something you feel you can teach well, outdoors. Bring a whistle – in case & hat – of course.


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Daybook for Classroom In a Box

Morning session 9.00 – 11.009.00 – 9.20.Meet/greet/roll/routine established by you.

9.20 – 10.20. English. Literacy. Reading. Writing. Listening. Speaking.10.30 – 11.00. Conclude English session.

Recess: find out where/when eaten & break time for you (if applicable)Mid morning session.11.30 – 1.00

11.30 – 12.30. Mathematics. Stage appropriate and a range of activities

12.30 – 1.00. HSIE or ScienceLunch: as for recess. Find out beforehand

Afternoon session. 1.50 – 3.001.50 – 2.30. Hands-on activities – Creative Arts/PDHPE

2.30 – 3.00. Concluding the day. Finalise work that was done. Leaving classroom for teacher next day.

3.00 – 3.30. Write up daybook for leaving for teacher. Check with grade supervisor about how day went. Ensure that any incidents that day have

been reported appropriately. Smile and thank the school for day’s teaching

Name: ……… Date: ……… Class: ………. School ………Duty: …… Recess Time: …… Lunch: …….Special Events that day (if applicable)


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Start YOUR Classroom in a Box Now

Checklist• Kids’ books. Picture books and chapter Books.

Label them with stickers in your name.

• Basic Materials. Pencils, Textas, Ruler(s), Glue Sticks, Whiteboard Markers, USB sticks with your teaching ideas & plans, scrap paper for kids’ work (lined and unlined) what else – up to you.

• Daybook. Ready with a basic day already printed in and ready to copy to leave for the teacher once taught. Include sections for behaviour challenges & notes of how the day was.

• Survival Kit for YOU. Without looking after you first, there is a high likelihood the teaching day will be harder. Snacks (pre packed ones) water bottle, cup, tissues, money and whatever helps YOU get through a day.

Is the Box itself Important?

• Personal preference here.

• I like a covered (security and weather) box on wheels.

• Buying something of quality “usually” suggests it will last.

• Suppliers: office supply places, craft supply places, on-line. Check it is comfortable to use and that it can fit what you want inside.


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Advice From Teachers & School Executives.From an AP:

It's about making themselves known and fit in. As an AP I am looking for someone who fits in, helps, says hello and chats. Work needs to be marked, preparation important, and a day

summary left at the end of the day. At the end of the day say good bye. dress

professionally..... • Don't let the kids write in their classbooks unless

specifically told to by their class teacher. Always mark what you worked on. Always leave the teacher a note about what happened throughout the day

• Take in a story book and make it your theme for the day, you can plan an entire day of work from one story....think writing, readers theatre, illustrating, art activities etc…

• Coming from high school but I always ensure I slip in a clear copy of behaviour policy, with names of key staff. Just in case.

• Art is good - mini artist study (iwb) or some laminated works then get them onto creating. I did this with Picasso and their own cubist portraits.

• You could probably spruik some ideas around students and SOLEs - download the toolkit from TED.

• Ditch the work sheets and do some student led inquiry/investigation. If kids are engaged you can focus less on behaviour.

• My usual is to teach by stealth. I bribe them completely with real art lessons all day where they need to think, create, adapt, change, rethink. Never mindless colouring or patterns, repetitive templates or mundane pencils, texta or paint. Lots of confidence building using mixed media and manipulating interesting media and tools so behaviour is never an issue... the kids would kill to be in there and have no idea they are learning to think! Always display their work and leave the room spotless.

• As a casual for upper primary, I would always base my day of learning around the newspaper of either that day (I'd buy it early in the morning) or the day before. I would use this newspaper for reading activities about current affairs, debating, writing prompts, maths work (i.e. stocks, any graphs), persuasion (i.e. advertisements), and heaps more!

• I never had a bad day doing this with older students who enjoyed working with more mature content. I often had parents come and talk to me the next time I was at the school giving me feedback that their child came home talking about such mature things with such enthusiasm.

• Always, always, always do any work (and as much as you can) that is left for you by the teacher. You are not employed to decide what to teach. You are employed to either pick up a class program and work and go with it OR to cover the class with work for the whole day.

• There are obviously exceptions to every rule but if casual teacher want to increase their profile as being a real teacher that makes a difference, they must try their best when they are given an opportunity to maintain a regular and consistent day of work in a classroom. If ever unsure, have the conversation with a teacher near you or a supervisor and don't just hide away and assume.


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Where To Next?Good Luck Teachers!

Websites & THIS.. ©

• Try on-line support for teachers –there are many out there in our country!

• Many Australian curriculum sites and those you have learned about at Uni.

• Do not make the mistake of using US sites..please…unless you know your spelling!

• www.det.nsw.edu.au

• www.bos.nsw.gov.au

• www.teachnsw.edu.au

• www.schoolsatoz.edu.au

• Facebook has many, many pages on sites. Check content is suitable for Australian schools

Real Resources & Places

• Shops…cheap..for some expendables

• Australia Post. Book Packs. Usually 4. All ages.

• School supplies places can be expensive but worth it to ‘kick start’ your career needs Ask friends.

• On-line school resources too.

• Sales, Bargain bins, Second hand shops are your friend as a teacher.

• Shops: Brookvale. Dominie. Modern Teaching Aids. Seven Hills: Five Senses Education.

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Books: for Casual TeachersBeginning Teacher’s Handbook.www.beginningteachers.com.au

Get Smart. Wanda Snitch. FiveSenses publication.

http://www.det.nsw.edu.au/

http://www.bos.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.teachnsw.edu.au/

http://www.schoolsatoz.edu.au/

http://www.beginningteachers.com.au/

“classroom in a box” my self-titled ‘new teacher’ readiness to teach plan. by denyse whelan....

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