PGCE - Current Students Thread

I want to use the Tales of Beedle the Bard in my next Literacy topic... does anyone think that would be a problem given that I am currently teaching year 2 and 3???

If the pupils are interested in Harry Potter then it sounds like you're onto a winner. Even if not I imagine it could lead to some interesting discussions. Just be sure to read the book through thoroughly to check for anything that could be inappropriate. If in doubt, ask your mentor.

Unless you have a class set of the books, check carefully that you comply with the copyright regulations when copying the text. Your school should have a licence which allows a certain amount to be copied, but it's carefully stated how much you can use on the licence itself. Usually 10% of a text or no more than a chapter.

Yeah, there are some bits in there which could be very inappropriate, but since both of those stories are ones that I would be more likely just to read to them instead of giving them any text versions. That way I could easily edit them to make them less horrible! Plus, some of the language might be a little complex, but if I'm reading then I can easily reword it for them. I figured it would be a more interesting text to use than the traditional fairy tales or some random folktales...



That's really interesting! I wasn't planning on photocopying very much of it, since it is more of a speaking and listening module - I'd be reading them the stories, they'd map out the key points and then they re-tell it in their own words... Or use the morals and lessons to create their own stories. Thanks for the info!

Sounds like a cool module, would be really interesting to compare them to traditional folk and fairy tales and see what's similar and what's different. If you haven't already, look up the home-away-home structure, qualifying tests and the actantial model. There's lots of stuff there that could perhaps be adapted down for that age group.

Posted from TSR Mobile

That's really cool - I had no idea such things existed, which maybe I would have done if I'd listen to my (English Lit) flatmate at university! I might be able to make use of that...

I had thought of making comparisons between traditional tales, since those are the ones that they will already know of. By using made up ones, I want to challenge their abilities and broaden their horizons. Plus it means a bit more Harry Potter in my life, which is always a good thing!

I only know about them from the free online course I just did on Hans Christian Andersen's stories!

More Harry Potter is always good. Always.

I think it's a great idea, and would be really interesting to look at what JK might be trying to say, the morals and messages, compared to old fairy tales. And could even use the bit where Dumbledore discusses how the tales were changed to be nicer to discuss that with them!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Hey guys, does anyone have advice for someone with public speaking anxiety?
I'm starting in September, but I have this ridiculous fear of being afraid to talk directly me standing in front of everyone. Once the kids are talking or getting on with work, I can talk really easily, but that beginning bit is SO hard for me, and my voice comes across completely shaky and anxious. I can talk at the end to everyone completely fine aswell, it's just the beginning and it's so annoying.

Are there any creative ways to explain beginning concepts without having to use my voice too much, or advice for dealing with nerves or a kid calling you out on them?

Hey guys, does anyone have advice for someone with public speaking anxiety?
I'm starting in September, but I have this ridiculous fear of being afraid to talk directly me standing in front of everyone. Once the kids are talking or getting on with work, I can talk really easily, but that beginning bit is SO hard for me, and my voice comes across completely shaky and anxious. I can talk at the end to everyone completely fine aswell, it's just the beginning and it's so annoying.

Are there any creative ways to explain beginning concepts without having to use my voice too much, or advice for dealing with nerves or a kid calling you out on them?

Hi , many people have this issue, I had did when I used to do presentation at uni, and every time it's easier than the previous one, think about it that you are not the only one and it will get better, really it will.

It's all about practice, but more than that, it's attitudinal. When you believe that you have the right to be there, that you are the one in charge of your classroom and what you say goes, it comes naturally. I think we all start out feeling like a fraud and that you don't have the right to tell the kids what to do. However, you do have that right, and telling them what to do is not only what you are paid for but also what they expect, even if they don't like to think of it that way. Once you have that in your head, it becomes automatic, and body language and tone of voice carry you very far in disciplinary matters. Act as if you are confident, even when you are not, and it will become real eventually, because the kids accept you as the authority and stop challenging you on it.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. It's nice to know other people have this feeling too! Just going to have to keep telling myself I deserve to be there and I can do it.

Hey guys, does anyone have advice for someone with public speaking anxiety?
I'm starting in September, but I have this ridiculous fear of being afraid to talk directly me standing in front of everyone. Once the kids are talking or getting on with work, I can talk really easily, but that beginning bit is SO hard for me, and my voice comes across completely shaky and anxious. I can talk at the end to everyone completely fine aswell, it's just the beginning and it's so annoying.

Are there any creative ways to explain beginning concepts without having to use my voice too much, or advice for dealing with nerves or a kid calling you out on them?

Like someone has said, it all comes with practise. It also helps that you don't have a script you make it up as you go along (at least when it comes to phrasing), secondly you get to know the class so it has the feeling of speaking to big group of friends than strangers. And finally helps that you are a lot bigger than they are.

If it helps I hate public speaking and always get anxious before I speak. This might be because I am dyslexic and just can't read aloud well. However I find standing up in front of a class now really easy. Yes it is a bit daunting with a new class but that will quickly go.

People always comment on this to me at church. I am on the reading list and get so anxious when I have to read for 5 mins in front of everyone, when I spend 5 hours a day, 5 hours a week speaking to classes.

Thank you, that really makes me feel better. It's so irritating! If I sound nervous I just need to power through it.

This is so me. I getting really anxious to begin with and not only does my voice sound shaky, I go bright red I start my primary pgce in September too xx

I'm starting my secondary D&T Pgce in september and was wondering how long a lesson plan should be? I'm a little worried as I saw somewhere that its around 40pages for one lesson!!

As a trainee, mine were 2 pages. Now they're 5 lines in my planner...

Amateur. Got mine down to 'Mockingbird p70' by the end.

I think my record is "CORE PRACTICAL: Half Life Dice; Formal Write up for HW", but I will aspire to the 2 word lesson plan in the future XD