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Head to the TES Jobseekers forum to get expert advice on finding your next job. We’ve got tips on application writing and guidance on how to excel at interview. Plus get your questions answered live online by our experienced head Theogriff.

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* * * * * Teaching a lesson at interview * * * * *

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    Thought I'd bring a few things together.

    .

    Firstly, here's an excellent How To Do It article:

    http://newteachers.tes.co.uk/news/interview-lessons/45570

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    Something about planning your lesson:

    http://newteachers.tes.co.uk/news/realistic-guide-lesson-planning/45965

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    Aiming for outstanding?  Here are some tips:

    http://newteachers.tes.co.uk/news/how-make-your-lessons-outstanding/46167

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    And then the book that helps you plan and deliver an observed lesson.  Two points here: firstly I am NOT paid to recommend it (wish I were - I'd be rolling in it!), and secondly masses of posters who have bought the book on my recommendation say how good it is.

    8910rebecca
    This book is superb. I am nearing the end of the 4 year BA and I cannot understand why I didn't buy it when I started the course!

    Pimp Your Lesson!: Prepare, Innovate, Motivate and Perfect (Continuum Practical Teaching Guides): Prepare, Innovate, Motivate and Perfect (Continuum Practical Teaching Guides)

    .

    For general advice on applications and interviews, the Win That Teaching Job  seminars are very useful.  www.tes.co.uk/careerseminars

    Best wishes

    _______________________________________

    TheoGriff. Member of the TES Careers Advice Service.

    The next seminar Win That Teaching Job is Saturday 24th March. www.tesweekendworkshop95.eventbrite.com

    For the full TES Weekend Workshop programme please visit www.tes.co.uk/careerseminars or contact advice@tes.co.uk



    [edited by: gailrobinson at 10:57 (GMT 0) on 5-4-2012]
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    Thought I'd bump this too, as there is some really good advice in these clickables. Good luck everyone who has interviews this week x
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    Thank you Theo, As useful excellent advice.

    This was particularly useful.

    TheoGriff

    Firstly, here's an excellent How To Do It article:

    http://newteachers.tes.co.uk/news/interview-lessons/45570

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    BUMP x
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    Onwards and UP

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    Fab article, loads of useful advice. Read this yesterday, interview today and I nailed it. Thanks for this and lots of other great advice.
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    Annahabs, well done!

    We have a tradition on here that when you get a job, you start a new thread called Dear Theo - I got that job!

    This allows people to congratulate you, gives me a chance to award you the Sparkly Star, and provides hope for all other posters when they see it.

    So we look forward to yours - start it now!

    Best wishes

    _______________________________________

    TheoGriff. Member of the TES Careers Advice Service.

    For the full TES Weekend Workshop programme please visit www.tes.co.uk/careerseminars or contact advice@tes.co.uk for one-to-one sessions.

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    Noooooo lost my copy of pimp your lesson- a friend borrowed it for an interview. Not sure where it is.
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    Phew found it:)
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     Casper "Noooooo lost my copy of pimp your lesson- a friend borrowed it for an interview. Not sure where it is.

    Phew found it:) "

     So get reading and planning.Thumbs up

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    Lesson went really well , my planning was impressive, but did not get the job.
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     So sorry casper to hear you didn't get it. Pop along to see what I've posted on Flowers . . . thread for you.

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    To all,

     

    I was unfortunate not to get an interview after teaching a pre-interview lesson last week at a school.  I felt that i tried to keep my lesson simple so as to not go over the top and miss what i felt was the most important part - the learning.  Anyway i feel it was maybe my timing that ruined me and because i tried to rush through then the kids didnt get it.

     

    I have another interview next week and the topic allows itself to use a small video clip, it is a 30min lesson and the clip could be up to 5 mins long.  What do you think about the use of video in interview lessons??  I can cut the clip if needed.

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    eamo83

    To all,

     

    I was unfortunate not to get an interview after teaching a pre-interview lesson last week at a school.  I felt that i tried to keep my lesson simple so as to not go over the top and miss what i felt was the most important part - the learning.  Anyway i feel it was maybe my timing that ruined me and because i tried to rush through then the kids didnt get it.

     

    I have another interview next week and the topic allows itself to use a small video clip, it is a 30min lesson and the clip could be up to 5 mins long.  What do you think about the use of video in interview lessons??  I can cut the clip if needed.

     

     

     If the video adds to the learning, I don't think there is anything wrong in principle with showing a short video in an interview lesson.

     Make sure you communicate (clearly but briefly) to the students why they are watching it and what they have to do while they are watching it. Think about the challenges of planning an activity for a video - do you pause it for them to write, or do they complete something while watching? Remember to check they understand what they are supposed to get out of the video, as once it has started you have no way to make clarifications, without stopping it. 

     Also, ensure with the school that your video will play. You may want to have a backup in case there is some kind of tech disaster on the day. 

     Best of luck with the lesson!

     

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    charles1986
     

     Also, ensure with the school that your video will play. You may want to have a backup in case there is some kind of tech disaster on the day. 

     

    Personally, I'd advocate keeping it simple, unless the video clip is really making a point that you couldn't make as quickly or simply in any other way. Never underestimate the power of technology to b****r things up just when you really need it. The laptop and projector might be the best of friends right up until 30 seconds before the lesson begins, but as soon as the observers walk in they could dig in their heels and refuse to speak to each other. And you don't want to be messing around trying to sort it, with a crowd of eager young souls clustering round (probably flicking paper pellets at each other or something if it drags on), nothing happening, and the clock ticking on the time allocated for your lesson...
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    Seconded.  I went for a Headship job, and wanted to teach a music lesson about songs that were played on the deck of the titanic as she was sinking - kids were going to compose their own music that would make them feel a certain way.  The song was on you tube.  The County was filtered.  I panicked, then decided to go ahead anyway, and sing one of the songs. Got a round of applause from the interviewing panel and the kids.

    So, make sure tech is going to work, but if it doesn't on the day, wing it!



    [edited by: chipsnegg at 17:31 (GMT 0) on 21-9-2012]
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     Bump


    Best wishes

    ___________________________________________________

    Meet Theo on line on the TES JobSeekers Forum, every week in print in the TES magazine, or in person at one of the TES Careers Advice Service seminars or individual consultations

    I am running the Win that Teaching Job seminar on Sat 8th Dec in London.  CLICK

     

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    Thank you very much, Theo! I have an interview lesson coming up, and these look very useful.

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    Best of luck!  We look forward to a new thread started, called Dear Theo - I got that job!

    _________________________________________________

    Meet Theo on line on the TES JobSeekers Forum, every week in print in the TES magazine, or in person at one of the TES Careers Advice Service seminars or individual consultations

    Moving into SLT seminar this weekend cancelled due to snow Sad but others on 2nd and 23rd Feb Big Smile

    You can e-mail Julia on advice@tes.co.uk if gremlins prevent you booking! Wink

     

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    Theo,

     

    I have an interview next week :D Very excited as i haven’t had one in a while. I have been trying to get my NQT post for 3 years now.

     

    I have been asked to teach a 30min lesson on reading to 10 year 3/4 children.

     

    I was planning on doing a lesson about adjectives. I was going to start by explain what an adjective is, give a few examples then get the children to give me some. I was then going to give them a short text to read. Then I would slowly read the text and get them to do an action when they could hear an adjective. After giving feedback on this I was then going to give them a different text and get them to work with a partner to highlight any adjectives in this text. Then gather feedback from the class and talk about how we could use the adjectives in their own writing. I will only be picking very short pieces of texts for them to read. 1/2 paragraphs at most.

     

    Do you think this would be suitable?

     

    Im desperate to get this job as i have been on supply for 3 years now and really want to get started with my own class.

     

    Sarah

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