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| When it's all over you will understand this feeling all too well! |
I'm not saying I am an expert on how to survive prac or that I was particularly impressive myself. But...there are a few things I wish I knew before I began my prac so I thought I would pass them on.
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare.
I don't just mean write up a lesson plan and get all your resources together. I mean check that your class will be at school that day. Are there any upcoming excursions, incursions or school events that would mean they will miss your class or it will be shorter? Assume that all technology will fail every single time you step into a classroom. It's the only way to be prepared for the (hopefully) odd occasion that it does. This may require printing off some worksheets or simply having a copy you can quickly write up on the board yourself. Also show your MT your lesson plans ASAP so that you have enough time to make any necessary changes.
2. Get involved in school life
Volunteer to do extra tasks, help other teachers or even run your own club. Extra tasks could be marking or helping to organise a school event. I ran lunch time speaking practise classes during prac so have a think about how you could add something to school life for your students.
3. Learn from teachers in other subjects
Whenever you have spare time, unless you genuinely need to be preparing lessons, go and observe other teachers. From any discipline. All teachers have something to teach you, even if it's simply what not to do.
4. Work as little as possible.
Depending on how your Uni works, you will be doing a block or rolling prac. I guess for students undertaking a block prac it will be easier not to work but I must stress that a rolling prac can be just as much work. Therefore, it's best to cut down your hours if possible. If you still aren't sure whether to work or not check out my advice on "To Work or not to work".
5. Remember that no beginning teacher is perfect!
You are a student here too so don't be too hard on yourself. Also our MT may give you feedback that seems a little harsh but remember that they are doing it for your own good. If you are even stressed out about some seemingly negative feedback - I can assure you I received plenty! And I made it through :) We all have tough days when the students are feral, technology fails or our lesson simply doesn't go to plan. But you will survive!
On another note, if you have a particularly lovellllyy MT who doesn't give much feedback or tends to only give positive feedback then consider showing your lesson plans (discretely) to the Head Teacher or University Lecturer. You really are on prac to learn to be the best teacher you can be so you need constructive feedback. If all else fails, make sure you reflect on how your lessons went and how they could be improved.
For some more tips on Master Teachers check out my post on "Dealing with Master Teachers". For all the teachers out there, I would love to hear what other advice you have for Prac Students and how they can survive their placement.
