Lucie Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Ok so this is my first interview for an NQT post, im nervous, excited, terrified - the usual I think! I want to do something that no-one else will do in my 15mins with the children (rec/yr1) but it has to be based around the very hungry caterpillar. I've got some ideas but wondered what you thought/ what you would do. I know we've all got the same book to work from so want it to be really impressive!! Hope you can help, any ideas will be greatly appreciated, as will any tips for the formal interview!! thanks. lucie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Good luck Lucie. How many children will you have? 15 mins isnt very long or it could be a lifetime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I have no advice for activities for this age group but wanted to wish you good luck Lucie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marion Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Good Luck at the moment I can only think of the obvious activities but I will keep thinking... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittycat1279 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Is it the introduction to the book or have they been doing other its to do with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rufus Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 One idea is to focus on the symmetry of a butterfly. Children work in pairs to produce a symmetrical butterfly - I have done this with chalks and paint on the playground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Hi there We are doing lots of things on this lovely book just now. My pre-school children just adore any sort of memory games and I wondered if you could do something like that. For instance, you could have pictures or models of all the things he ate on Saturday and see if they can remember what they are, the order they come in, what they start with. Then see who can remember the most from memory. Use pairs of the pictures of the items for pelmenism (?) or Kim's game. What's missing. Arrange a Hungry Caterpillar treasure hunt. Just a few thoughts. Another thing is to see if they can guess which item you are talking about from its description, and involve the children in doing the same. Good luck with the interview. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hali Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 good luck hope it goes well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittycat1279 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I've just found 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' music plan on the Hampshire website. Here's the link http://www3.hants.gov.uk/education/hms/hms...g-exemplars.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Can't really help with advice - but you'll not be short of good ideas I'm sure! Just wanted to wish you well for the interview! Maz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maried6 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 How about a fruit hunt-the children finding correct amount of each fruit (perhaps outside). Then check and count each set of fruit, followed by some fruit touching, tasting and smelling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maried6 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Perhaps a guided reading hunt for the caterpillar- an outdoor trail. The children could take it in turns to read the simple clue, find fruit on the way, ending in the discovery of a beautiful symmetrical butterfly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 just wanted to wish you good luck Lucie hope all goes well, jackie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 How about they draw fruit on a paper plate and then use a hole punch round the edges and thread lovely thick green wool through their holes round the edges of the plate. (Mine did this and loved it!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 (edited) Good luck...I used the Hungry Caterpillar for an interview once, I had a group of children (preschool) first I read the story using a story sack thus involving the whole group (I laminated the fruit etc) the session went on for much longer than I planned with lots of cross-curricular learning, counting, healthy eating, growth, language etc etc....I then had some colouring sheets of the caterpillar and fruits and also a brilliant game and the children decided what to do to extend the story time, some coloured, some played the game and I scaffolded both activities but mainly let the children take me in all directions....it is a brilliant subject, the children will help you. they helped me and I got the job so I hope you do too!! Oh I also took a touchy feely bag with the real fruit in as a back up......didn't need it but was a lovely reward on the way home for me!! Oh and I typed up all the learning intentions on a planning sheet and left space to evaluate. Referred all of it the FOundation Stage....ooo I was keen! Edited April 14, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mundia Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Hi there. First well done on getting to the interview stage. There have been lots of discussions about interviews questions here so a search will bring up lost of ideas. With your 15 minute session, I would bear in mind that 15 minutes isnt very long with a class you don't know. I wouldn't personally do an activity involving looking for things around the room with a class you don't know in a school you don't know (think about the logistics of setting it up?). I would try and find out if the story is familiar to them, if its isnt then using the Shirel's storysack idea, introduce it to them. If it isnt, then how about using a puppet to retell the story badly, and get the children to correct you? Again the story sack with props (laminated if you can get the objects) can be used for this. Or using the same objects, get give out the different bits and get them to put themselevs into story telling order (how many in teh group, I wouldnt do this with a class of 30 but would with a group of say 10-15). Having interviewed many times and asked candidates to etach, it isnt always the all singing all dancing that we look for. Yes we liike to see some imagination, but we also want tosee that you have considered the task, the time you have, the age of the children, have thought to ask sensible questions, are well prepared, are pleasnt with the chidlren, can manage their behaviour, appear confident (even if you are shaking in yer boots!). In short, dont over complicate it with things you may not have time for, or you may forget if nerves kick in. Let us know what you decide and good luck with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyMaz Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 (edited) Having interviewed many times and asked candidates to etach, it isnt always the all singing all dancing that we look for. Yes we liike to see some imagination, but we also want tosee that you have considered the task, the time you have, the age of the children, have thought to ask sensible questions, are well prepared, are pleasnt with the chidlren, can manage their behaviour, appear confident (even if you are shaking in yer boots!). In short, dont over complicate it with things you may not have time for, or you may forget if nerves kick in. What brilliant advice - useful for anyone asked to do a practical-type exercise as part of an interview! I'll bear that in mind should the need arise! Maz PS Lucie: good luck with the interview - let us know how it goes won't you? Edited April 14, 2009 by HappyMaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliamch Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Lots of fabulous ideas and advice that I can't add too, so I'll just wish you lots of good luck for your interview. Karrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kittycat1279 Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Super advice from Mundia! From all the interviews we've had over the previous few years I would say that these things are what have been deemed important (our attached inspector was there for one set of interviews and observations). -stating learning intention -pace/timing -appropriateness of activity for age -behaviour management -enthusiasm - tone of voice -how you relate to the children - smile -quality resources -communication with and use of other adults I'm sure there's other things but that's what comes to mind for now - a lot of these do cross over with Mundia's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucie Posted April 14, 2009 Author Share Posted April 14, 2009 Thank you for all of the brilliant advice, i will let you know how i get on, and will also add any questions i get asked to help anyone else out. I feel more confident about the activity part than the actual interview because i can sometimes find it really hard to get my words out!! I really like using puppets so will feel confident with that, i love mundia's idea of using it to retell the story badly - i can imagine that in my head!! xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorna Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Good luck with the interview. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Good Luck - sure you'll sail through - just remember to enjoy doing what youre doing and you'll shine. I loved Rufus's idea of creating btterflies outside. You could supply lots of chalk, paints, big, big paper etc and ask the children to create their very own beautiful butterfly. Could even supply fabrics etc in case anyone wanted to become a butterfly. This is assuming that they know the story already. Maybe you could e-mail the school and check this info otherwise you're going to hard pressed and panicky with only 15 minutes!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucie Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 Well ive been for the interview now. Just waiting to hear. I'm not too optimistic though because there was a lady who had done a GTP in reception and is now teaching reception full time in the NQT year so she has bags more experience. The head did say that he thought that we could all do the job, but that they were looking for the best person to fit in with the team. So hey we'll wait and see! lucie xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Everything crossed then! Do you want it? Do you feel like you'll fit with their team? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucie Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 I really do want it, and I think I would fit in really well! but that's my opinion and i supose im biased! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cait Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 He he - well definitely everything crossed! Do you know when they are letting you know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucie Posted April 23, 2009 Author Share Posted April 23, 2009 well didnt get it, never mind. onwards and upwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gezabel Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Oh Lucie sorry you didn't get it when you really wanted it but as they say these things happen for a reason and it's their loss The right school is out there waiting for you and am sure you will find it soon, keep smiling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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