S2, EP12: Casual Teaching

How do we prepare ourselves for casual teaching?

Casual teachers are a vital part of our education system. Whether you are new to casual teaching or a seasoned casual teacher, this episode has some great takeaways that might help you. 

In episode 12, the Teacher Takeaway Podcast team discuss tips and tricks for casual teaching, including:

• What's in the 'Go Bag'
• Easily differentiated resources
• Online go to's
• Do's and don'ts

The 'Go Bag'

When you get the call from a school to come and work casually for the day, here are some things that you might include in your 'go bag':

• folder of favourite activities organised by grade/ stage
• great high-quality read-to picture books
• stamps
• stickers 
• Paul Jennings short story book that you can base the day on, such as:
  • writing activity 
  • spelling activity
  • drama activity
  • shared reading
  • art activity 
• blank paper

Easily Differentiated Resources

• Dice, playing cards, Dominoes, paddle pop sticks 
• open ended tasks
• utilising thinking routines 
  • Find out more about thinking routines at:
    • Thinking Pathways -  https://thinkingpathwayz.weebly.com/ 
    • Project Zero Harvard resources - http://www.pz.harvard.edu/thinking-routines​​
• ​​Quality literature
  • ​either bring your own or check out the school library and ask the librarian to assist​​

Online Go-To's

• Storyline online - storylineonline.net/
• Go Noodle - https://www.gonoodle.com/
• BTN - https://www.abc.net.au/btn/​
  
• Squiz Kids - https://www.squizkids.com.au/​
  
• Kids News - https://www.kidsnews.com.au/
• Kahoot! - https://kahoot.it/
• Blooket - https://www.blooket.com/
• Classroom Screens - https://www.classroomscreen.com/

Do's and Don'ts

Do's:

• Create a Class Cover profile 
  • upload your documentation
  • add the schools you would like work at
  • touch base with the school
• Make sure you have done all of your mandatory training
• Arrive on time - half hour before (minimum)
  • gives you a chance to get your head around the day and manage any changes that might occur
• Introduce yourself to senior executive if it is your first time visiting a school - don't be shy
• Leave honest feedback to the teacher
  • positives and any issues
  • issues that occur are not a reflection on you
• Always leave a note
• Mark work throughout the day
• Clean up
• Set up expectations
• Try and follow the routine left from the teacher as much as possible 
• Use a casual planner - Shout out: Intellectual Teacher Planner  https://www.intellectplanners.com.au/
• Connect with teacher next door to find out about the class and the teacher's expectations
• Connect with the executive around behaviour protocols and management 
• See if there is a class profile 
• See if there is a casual folder

Don'ts: 

• Walk out right on the bell
• Leave work unmarked
• Leave the room messy 
• Rearrange the classroom and furniture 
• Use the teacher's personal resources 

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Don't sweat it! Learn from it!
-James Gray, Teacher Takeaway Podcast 2022

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