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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2003 0:09:48 GMT 1
I'd be greatful of some advice.
I start mentoring small groups of 9th year students at an inner-city school in Lambeth next week and was wondering if any of you had any advice for good ice-breakers or just good advice in general? I've had around 8 hours of training but I'm sure people's own experiences will be helpful...
cheers
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Post by Somersetshrew on Nov 28, 2003 2:08:48 GMT 1
Ant.
I was a technical/managerial trainer for 12 years. Qualified adult and further education teacher too.
is it "Ice -breaker/getting to know you" stuff that you need? I got a few methods that I found good to work with, probably loads of stuff in the back of my cupboard at work. give me a couple of days, I'll see what I can come up with
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Post by newheyshrew on Nov 28, 2003 10:02:42 GMT 1
I am a teacher Ant... depends how many are in your groups... icebreaker/name games always go down ok. They think they're hard in year 9 but still love a few games. Tell them you are a Shrewsbury fan - I get constant stick from my kids!!!! They are all Man Utd/City fans or Oldham athletic supporters!!!!
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Post by ShrewsandRoyals on Nov 28, 2003 11:57:39 GMT 1
Ant,
If you want a chat I'll be there tomorrow and can tell you whether what they have told you is any good and give you some ides.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2003 13:52:21 GMT 1
Cheers for the replies - will come and find you tomorrow S&R
I'll be mentoring groups of 3 school kids at one time
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Post by wiganshrew2 on Nov 28, 2003 15:18:25 GMT 1
I'm a teacher- and a tutor, Ant- but generally teach one -or at the most two, at a time. My kids range from age 7 to age 13. If they're from an inner city school, some of them may well be disaffected and not see much point in education. Some of them have tough home lives. Marie, my youngest daughter taught at a difficult school in Leigh (does that surprise you- Leigh?!!!!) She found they were great on their own, but horrible in large classes! A lot of them are a bit "needy"- they want a lot of attention and resent it if you have to attend to others. They like to think you're interested in them. When I have new students, I often get them writing about themselves- (if they can write, that is!If they can't I ask them about themselves.) Yes- I do use Football- and say I'm a Shrewsbury Town supporter!!! One boy now takes an interest in how Shrews are getting on, since I told him- and at first, he laughed- as they do!!) Asking about favourite things goes down well- teams, music..etc.. I find out what they're into- and I use it. One lad is daft about the RAF and planes- so I've got stuff off the internet for him, and encourage him to- and I design a lot of his work around that. But you can't do it with a class, of course. Some may try and shock you- Marie told me that one girl, told her that she was earning a lot of money at night, going on the "game"!! Marie handled it quite well, I think- trying to get the girl to see that she, as a person, was worth more than that- but showing no sign of being shocked!!  It's hard because they've often got little self-esteem. All the best with that, anyway Ant- hope you let us know how you got on!! |
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oranjemob
Midland League Division One
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Post by oranjemob on Nov 28, 2003 15:48:36 GMT 1
Ant - You need to get them to talk about something to do with themselves. To encourage this, ask them something a bit contoversal. something like, "What have you done in your life that you most regret". It really gets them thinking, talking and, most important of all, inter-acting.
It always works, with everyone from kids to high powered 'executives'.
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Post by marcbuzzard on Nov 28, 2003 22:08:56 GMT 1
Ant - all the advice given above is good stuff. When newly qualified teachers start at our school they often ask the same question as you have. Although everyone has their own way of dealing with their 'first day' I certainly think that giving them the opportunity to talk about themselves is a good 'ice breaker'. Ask them to introduce themselves and tell you something about themselves - what their favourite all time piece of music is, or their favourite sporting moment or favourite holiday destination etc. Tell them a bit about yourself in the discussion - being a Shrews fan will certainly let them know that your a down to earth type of guy and will get a few laughs. They will probably try it on when they first meet you (most kids do with any new face in class) to see how far they can push you - just keep smiling, show them nothing gets to you and remember to be firm with them if need be.
I am Head teacher of a rural school for 3-11 year olds in North Wales and I don't envy you having to teach teenagers in a city school. However I'm sure you'll enjoy it and I'm sure you'll find it extremely rewarding - All the best and good luck.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2003 22:22:04 GMT 1
Cheers Marc
I found out a bit more about the school I'm going to next week - LilianBaylis in Lambeth it is - and last month the shadow home secretary said "I'd rather beg in the street than send my kids there"
It'll be an experience I'm sure.
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Post by marcbuzzard on Nov 28, 2003 22:30:09 GMT 1
No problem Ant -
That's a bloody typical comment by an MP though. How are those kids meant to have any kind of self respect or respect for their school after a comment like that?
I'm sure you'll find that 99% of the kids are great and that the staff are hard working decent folk - I'm sure if you go in there and be yourself, they'll all respect you ten times more than any stuck up Member of Parliament!
Enjoy the experience.
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Post by wiganshrew2 on Nov 29, 2003 1:01:01 GMT 1
Marie called on her way home- so I've got more advice. Marie is tiny- 5 foot nothing- with long blonde hair- hardly a scary teacher to frighten them into behaving well- but she had a Baptism of fire at Leigh- and finds where she's working now- the Education Dept of a unit for very troubled girls, no problem by comparison. She said they won't tell you this at Uni- but you've got to be very direct with them if they muck about. They just don't understand if you use the very polite language you've been brought up with- She didn't mean be disrespectful to them- just very direct and firm- she said they moan and mutter, but they generally respond. She also said kids from disadvantaged areas are usually always falling out with each other- and they'll fall out with each other more than they'll fall out with you! She said don't take it personally if they swear and say they're not going to *****ing-well do this or that. Underneath they've got really low self-esteem. I reckon you'll be fine, Ant- you've got a lot of street-cred. You can find some kids with real talents- and it's unexpected- and that's great. Perhaps it wouldn't do any harm to mention the fact that you've got a short fuse when you're playing football- they'll think they'd better not muck you about!  You'll probably end up being a hero in their eyes- play football, manage a messageboard, you can't lose. (Unless they decide to go on the Messageboard, that is!!) |
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