Heading in to the last term

Yet again, time has run away with me and I haven't found the time to update my blog. If i were to assess this piece of work it would probably be 'I think you could have written more in the time given'!

I have now finished my first placement, which seems rather odd. It went reasonably well, although there are still things that I need to improve in my practice. I seem to be hitting (or exceeding) all the teaching standards though, so that is a good thing. The children were all very sweet on my last day and I came out with lots of lovely cards and more chocolate than I really need, so I guess I did something right!

Hoping to make the most of the Easter holidays, although I have two essays to write before 15 April. then it is back to university for two weeks of advanced curriculum studies, then back in to school for the final placement and the last chance to show what I can do. I am trying to get the essays finished as soon as I can so that I can make the most of the holidays with my children before the madness of placement kicks in again.

I am looking forward to getting back into my second school; I am in a younger year group and got on really well with them last time so am hoping it will all go well for this placement. I am also looking forward to having the opportunity to teach languages again for a few weeks. There is another student in the school as well and we have already been asked to plan a language day, so that would be a good opportunity for us.

I am also aware that after Easter is prime job hunting time and something I really need to get sorted out. I know a lot of students have already applied for jobs and I need to get myself into gear and start to apply for any jobs that are within reasonable travelling distance. I am slightly worried that my age may be against me, but hopefully I also have other skills to offer due to my experience. Maybe my next blog post will be to say that I have found a job for September!

Snow fun - or not!

Well, seems like forever since I wrote on here, probably because I just haven't really had the time. PGCE is, as expected, taking up most of my time but I am still loving it which is a good thing!

Finished my first block placement just before Christmas and it all seemed to go well. Lesson observations were, on the whole, positive although of course there is still a lot for me to learn and lots that I can do to improve my lessons. I'm looking forward to going back to that school in a few weeks for a month block so that I can really get stuck in with planning and teaching.

For now I've just started at another school, but with the recent snowfall I haven't had as many days there as I should have! School is closed again today due to problems with the heating, so I am trying to get on with some work although its not easy when I have all four children here as well, as their schools are also closed. I am going to start my Primary Languages Assignment at some point today though - honest! I need to get into school at some point this week as I need to gather evidence for my final three assignments - Languages, Maths and English. If I can't the the evidence it is going to make the assignments quite tricky to write!

Can't quite believe we are already a term through the course - it is going so quickly. Back at UEA next week for more curriculum sessions and it will be good to catch up with everyone. Hopefully we'll also get results back on some of the work we've already submitted, although I'm not overly confident. Have managed to pass both QTS tests though, so at least they are crossed off the list. In less than 6 months we will (hopefully!) graduate and all being well I will also have a job lined up. Not looking forward to the job hunting - it will be weird going for jobs probably against people I have got to know on the course.

As the children appear to be occupied for a short while, I really ought to get on with some work! Will try and update here again when I can.

The first week of a new career

So I have just finished the first week of my Primary PGCE. It has been an interesting week and I will be very happy if it continues in the same vein for the rest of the year. That is not to say  that I am not extremely tired and brain dead - I am not used to concentrating so hard for 7 hours a day and then coming home and doing another 3-4 hours work (as well as looking after the family)!

So far this week I have had two maths tutorials on calculation (ok so far) and a day of language and literacy which brought back memories of several OU modules! A science tutorial where we melted ice and looked at how to make fruit and vegetables sink or float; a music tutorial and an art tutorial where my comfort levels were severely tested ( I am not artistic in the slightest and being given the word 'jagged' with which to create a collage almost finished me off!), and a history tutorial which I really enjoyed. The lectures have been interesting and I have met a wide spectrum of people - some like me coming from a very different working environments and some straight from their under graduate courses.

I was slightly put out to discover I was the only person in my tutorial group who had children - I am definitely one of the older people on the course but I do feel that gives me some advantages over those who are fresh from under-grad courses. Thankfully my teaching group seems to have a slightly wider range of people, although I am still one of (if not the) oldest.

I am looking forward to finding out next week where my placements will be - this will have a big impact on the rest of the course. There is a lot of work related to placements so it will be very important to get on with my school mentor and the rest of the school.

Monday is a study day and I already have a long list of work that I need to do over the next three days. For every hour at uni, I am supposed to do an hour of self-directed study. I'm not sure there are that many hours in the day! The reading list is about an inch thick! Ah well, they told us today for the English Audit that littel and often is the key - I think I'm changing that to a lot and often. Basically, if I'm not in uni, I should be doing some other work in some way, be it reading or writing an assignment, or preparing for the next tutorial.

So I need to accept that I will have no life for the next year. My family won't see me much; they certainly won't remember that if I'm last home they need to save some food for me! I will be permanently tired and possibly a bit grumpy. Yet I will be learning loads and finally doing the one thing I have always wanted to do.

It will be worth it.

The end of an era

That's it. I have just hit the submit button to send my final Open University essay off for marking. Having been studying for my degree since September 2008, I feel sad and actually quite bereft that it is now over. I always thought that I would study more modules with the OU in future, for pleasure rather than for qualifications, but with the increase in fees that just isn't going to be feasible. I have met some great people over the 9 modules I have taken and had some tutors that were definitely better than others! The two weeks that I spent in Caen were definitely highlights of my OU experience and, if we weren't already booked to go to France on holiday this summer, I would be trying to find a way to go again this year! But, life moves on and - while waiting for my results (gulp!) - I need to turn my attention to my PGCE starting in September. I'm not planning on doing loads of work over the summer, as this will be my first summer off in three years, but am going to do a few bits to get started. I made a start this morning - clearing out the cupboard that is going to mine for storing all my files and folders! (My stationery fetish means I am already collecting quite a few things that, while maybe not entirely practical, will be very pretty to help with my studies!) I have a pile of books from a friend who did the PGCE a couple of years ago to start flicking through, plus I want to read as many different children's books as I can, as we have to do a Literacy Audit which contains a review of Children's Literature (I knew this last module would be useful for something!). Also on my 'to do' pile are practise books for the Literacy and Numeracy tests; I'm reasonably confident but could do with brushing up on some skills. I had the opportunity to see a bit of what life will be like this time next year, when we held interviews at school for a new teacher. This is prime NQT job hunting time, so we had lots of applicants. Reading the applications gave me a good idea of what to include when I get ready to start applying for jobs and - more importantly - what not to include! The interview day itself was also really interesting, and has given me a feel for the sort of questions that get asked and the expected answers. So, farewell OU, thanks for everything, it's been a fun, if tough three years and I wouldn't have done it any other way. I just hope I get the degree classification I want at the end of it all!! Roll on August for the results.

One essay to go..

So, I have recently submitted my latest OU essay and I now have just one essay to go before I finish my OU degree. It feels quite strange to be coming to the end of my OU studies, as it has been such a big part of my life for the past 3 1/2 years. Yet it is the end of what I have been working towards for those 3 1/2 years, so I am glad to finally be there. Just 3000 words stands between me and a £5000 bursary...if I can come out with a 2:1 I get a bursary; a 2:2 and I get nothing... Thankfully I have the opportunity to work extra hours at school this term, so am getting plenty of experience. I am saving every worksheet I see and taking note of how the teachers are working so that I have something to work from once I get to the UEA in September. I'm planning to get as much experience as I can across the key stages to boost my knowledge, as I know life isn't going to be easy from September. It would put my mind at ease if I could get my childcare sorted...!

This time last year...

...I was in sunny south-west France, spending time in a French school. I can't quite believe it was a year ago - the time has gone so quickly! I wish I was back there again though, I had a fantastic time and met some lovely people. Maybe one day - I could count is as professional development!

I am still in touch with the school and email the directrice quite regularly. The children from her class still correspond with the children in my class, which is something I think they have benefited from hugely. I just hope someone will carry on the link when I leave school in July. Anne (the directrice) knows I am leaving, and has already said that when I have finished training and am (hopefully!) in my own school, she would like to carry on corresponding with my new class. I feel a bit guilty that they will probably stop writing to my current school, but the link is very personal between Anne and myself and I would really like that to continue. Unless of course I find a job in a school that already has a French link - that could be a bit more awkward.

I'm hoping to set up a French club in school for the Summer term - I know it won't be for long but I hope it will enthuse some of the younger children. The reception children already love it when I get the chance to spend some time doing French with them and they pick it up so quickly. I think it helps that they have no inhibitions about getting things wrong - they just have a go at anything. Although I want to teach KS2, I hope that I will have the opportunity to do languages with younger children as well.

Long time no blog

Oops, has been rather too long since I last wrote on here. Time has been taken up with studying, family and illness in varying degrees. I'm still plodding on with my Children's Literature module and have just one assignment and the final end of module assessment to go. Considering this is my first foray into literature, I have been delighted with my scores and providing I carry on at the same level for these last two pieces of work I will come out with a pass 2 which will give me an overall 2:1 on my degree.

Work is still as much fun as ever - I have been working with a supply teacher this term and it has been interesting to observe different approaches to teaching. A new teacher starts next term, so I will have someone else to observe - all good experience for my PGCE! I'm also working extra hours until the end of the school year, so will have the chance to magpie away a few more ideas! I'm trying to gather as much information as I can before my course starts, so am bookmarking websites and taking note of what the children are reading to try and get some ideas.

There has been a lot of illness in the house over the past few months. February half term was a complete write off as I was laid up with flu for most of it, so it will be lovely to actually enjoy the holidays this time. We've also had sickness which has led to time off school - something of a rarity as I usually insist the children go in! Am hoping that is it for illness in this house for a while, as I can't afford to have time off from university for illness!

Exam season is starting as well - eldest daughter will be starting her GCSEs soon. Her exam timetable looks ridiculous. We have found a tutor to help with her science as that is something she is struggling with, so hopefully that will help. And prom dress shopping will be taking place over the holidays - I think my credit card may take a battering!

I'm looking forward to June when my module will be finished and I'll be able to read what I want, when I want. It will also be good not to feel guilty when I do something other than studying! I also need to make the most of my free time though, as I know it is something that will be seriously lacking from September!