Teaching year 9s

[Thomas]

obviously been away from my Year 8s for too long

(Without wanting to create a new split thread) - low expectations with year 8? Surely they are the best year of all? Past the first year foibles but still malleable!

[marcus]

Don't get me wrong, I love my Year 8s - but they are a very low ability group and I was teaching at a Grammar School before moving on to this one - so I do occasionally expect too much (just talking about historical skills here, not behaviour).

Year 9 is the worst for me, behaviour-wise - as they were in my last placement, too. Is that usual? (They have, of course, already made their choices for GCSE ... but even those who've chosen History act as if they didn't.)

ATB

[Thomas]

...in my first year of teaching for sure. Nightmarish class, not helped by the child of my nemesis being in the class and accusing me of forcing him to eat plasticene off the floor. Can you imagine anything so surreal happening in a classroom.

Nowadays I find that the worst class is either year 9 or year 10. I find that it depends very much on the capabilities of the head of year as much as anything.

Also, having one year under your belt makes a GIGANTIC difference in a school as you are not "new". Remember that 2 weeks before Christmas next year when you are on your knees wondering why the hell you ever took up this magnificent profession.

You can always follow up on this through email marcus...

[marcus]

Nightmarish class, not helped by the child of my nemesis being in the class and accusing me of forcing him to eat plasticene off the floor. Can you imagine anything so surreal happening in a classroom.

Well, I did hear today about a PGCE student of a couple of years ago who was in a slightly difficult school for one of his placements - during one lesson a pupil stood up, walked to the middle of the class, dropped his trousers and proceeded to crap on the carpet. Now, they don't prepare you for that in College!

Nowadays I find that the worst class is either year 9 or year 10.

I have to say that my Year 10s blow hot and cold - they were excellent for the first couple of weeks, then they seemed to pack up for Easter 2 weeks before the end of term. I have them on Monday (my first day back) and I'm hoping I'll be able to get them back on side - not a bad bunch overall, but with definite difficult tendencies.

Also, having one year under your belt makes a GIGANTIC difference in a school as you are not "new". Remember that 2 weeks before Christmas next year when you are on your knees wondering why the hell you ever took up this magnificent profession

I can imagine. Still, I'm not going to worry about that, yet (I still have to get a job, anyway!).

Stay alert ... I might be after plenty of tea and sympathy before my time is through!

ATB

[Thomas]

Stay alert ... I might be after plenty of tea and sympathy before my time is through!

I'll be here. Even if not active in the forum!

[Paralus]

I've no idea what started this split thread, but, you blokes are obviously teachers yes?

I started professional life this way: History, science and English in (our) years (forms) 1-4. This would be junior high school: 12/13 year olds to 15/16 year olds.

Nowadays it is referred to as years 7-10.

It's a pity my lack of patience took me out of it. There are days I reckon I could be back teaching but it is all illusion: I'm a more irascible bastard now than I was then.

Children have indeed been spared.

[marcus]

I've no idea what started this split thread, but, you blokes are obviously teachers yes?

Indeed. Actually, I'm in the middle of teacher training at the moment, having become completely disillusioned with corporate life, and realising that I might as well use my history in my work, as opposed to it taking a back seat as my hobby. So far I haven't lost patience, but as a student I am still bright eyed and idealistic, of course If it takes me too long to get a job, however, I might lose that idealism ...

ATB

[Paralus]

G'day Marcus.

Never lose the idealism mate! I've done that for the both of us. At forty-eight it's too late for a career change now for me.

I may have lost the teaching "idealism" - if that's what it was - but never the real passion: ancient history. My house has a corner devoted to my books - history books (Loebs, Thucydides and all). The rest of the lounge and "sitting" room are taken up with the rest: novels, modern history, etc. A man who does not read is not worth the conversing with!

It's good to see you have the "idealism". Don't let them beat it out of you - there can be great (personal) rewards.

I graduated from Teacher's College twenty-seven years ago. Worse, I started thirty-one years ago. Where the hell is Noddy Holder and Slade??

[Thomas]

If it takes me too long to get a job, however, I might lose that idealism.

Sorry to hear it is taking time to find a job. Obviously a popular topic to teach. Good luck.