Guest Posted July 3, 2004 Posted July 3, 2004 Hi I have been a R teacher since I qualified 5 years ago and decided I ought to get some Y1 experience, it seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I'm getting worried about different planning, QCA units and all that jazz. I'm also concerned about showing Value added over the year, I have achieved good results In YR but with the change of year group and my unfamiliarity with things I'm not sure I will achieve such good results. Sorry, scaredy cat I know but any help will do thanks.
Guest Posted July 3, 2004 Posted July 3, 2004 Hi, I taught in Year 1 for a year, coming from a few years in Reception. The mistake I made was to be swayed by top down pressure to teach in subjects and to follow the QCA units. If I had followed my professional instinct, I would have adapted or binned the QCA, kept my curriculum play- and activity based, and I would have kept an element of outdoor curriculum there as well. I'm going to have a mixed R and Y1 class in Sept. and I have no intention of doing a literacy and numeracy hour. Elements of both will be there throughout the day but not in one chunk. I'm going to adapt the QCA and only use those units which fit my topics. Year 1 will have constant access to the outdoor area and hopefully they will not notice that I am stepping up the academic side of their learning. As for proving progress, moderated teacher assessment will have to do and I know that the Head is supportive of what I want to accomplish. Good luck, and follow your instincts. Don't be swayed by non-infant specialists putting pressure on to achieve targets, etc.
AnonyMouse_79 Posted July 3, 2004 Posted July 3, 2004 hi Susie first good luck, I'm sure you will enjoy it as a natural progression of what you already do. Let the children dictate the pace of the changes if you can and your head is supportive. To Michelle, welcome and aboard. How lucky are you to have a head who is supportive of this sort of provision in year 1!? The QCA units are not statutory or compulsary and can be mixed and matched as appropriate to your approach. You need only to have regard to Curriculum 2000, the QCA units were designed to support this not drive it. Susie, are you moving with your present class? Good luck.
Guest Posted July 4, 2004 Posted July 4, 2004 Thnaks for your comments. Yes I am keeping my class and I have yet to tell parents, hope they're ok with having me for 2 years, I think thekids will be. Also because of school restructuring I am keeping my classroom so have to think of some creative ways of making it different for them!
AnonyMouse_73 Posted July 15, 2004 Posted July 15, 2004 you and me both SusieB. I will also have a foot in the year 1 camp next year, as well as keeping my other foot in nursery. Since Ill be mentoring a GTP, I am determined to bring good FS practice into year 1. We will have to swop stories!!
Guest Posted July 15, 2004 Posted July 15, 2004 Im also moving from Reception to Year 1 (and in a new school). Im really excited about it, though am starting t panic about the transition, for them and me!
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