Top 5 tips for getting to know your class
Welcome to your new class! We’ve got some tips to help you get to know the children on an individual level but also assess the dynamics and social skills of the class as a whole.
As you embark on a new school year with a new class, you need to understand the skills and understanding they are bringing with them, so you can start to make the curriculum work for them as quickly as possible. Follow these 5 tips to get to know your class:
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First impressions count! Use starter activities such as Odd One Outs or Zoom In, Zoom Outs to get your children talking. You can use this to find out what the children already know and track the vocabulary the children are using.
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Ask them what they know first about the topics you are about to teach. This will help you to create a more bespoke medium-term plan that caters to the needs of your children.
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Find out what questions they have about the upcoming topic. Often, the children have already developed links about science and the world. Their curiosity is the perfect assessment of learning tool and can help take children beyond the curriculum objectives.
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Do lots of hands-on activities. You’ll soon discover the children who have great ideas and working scientifically skills. This knowledge will help you maintain a harmonious balance of personalities within a group so that everyone is contributing effectively.
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Let them get to know you and what you enjoy about science too. Sharing your passions and areas of interest or expertise will spark passion from the children and allow you to go on a journey together.