u/Realistic_Butterfly4

Hi all,

I got a call today saying I’ll be in mixed 4th and 5th class for the year. I’ve previously taught in moderate special classes and SET in a junior school so this will be my first time in mainstream since college placement. I’m so nervous as it’s 2 curricula and the senior end which I’m not the most familiar with.

I have my class list (27 children), but won’t get my book lists etc until the Croke park day on Monday and then kids are back Tuesday.. I’m worried it won’t be enough time to set up my classroom.

Any advice for the first day (or few days), the layout, setting up, and just general advice for the age group and multigrade teaching ?

Thanks so much.. really excited but just so nervous!

I (25f) just don’t seem to have any close friendships.

Every time I think I’m really close to someone, it ends up being onesided and I’ll think we’re good friends and then realise they don’t actually see me that way, or I’m always the one putting more into the friendship. It’s happened a few times now and it’s really knocked my confidence.

I have my boyfriend and he’s honestly my best friend. We were friends for years before we got together but I don’t want him to be my only friend.. I want to have “the girls” , people to vent to, gossip with, go for coffee, have sleepovers, go on nights out, all that sort of stuff..

I’m not trying to make myself out to be a victim or say nobody likes me. If the same thing keeps happening, I do wonder if I’m the common denominator. Maybe I’m doing something wrong without realising it?

I just find making friends as an adult so hard, and it’s just so disheartening.
Has anyone else been in this position? Did it get better? Any advice?

Hi all,

I got a mixed 4th and 5th this year and I am terrified. I’ve spent my last two years in the junior end in SET and in a mod special class so I haven’t been doing much maths that you’d find in the older classes.

Maths is not my best subject at all, I’ve always struggled and I’m terrified about going into this class and having the children all come out with a STEN of 1. Especially the 5th class, cos it’s quite tough maths.

I completed the maths course offered by the INTO last year, and Michelle’s Innovative Ideas one this year. I’m also looking over the 5th class maths book and trying out a couple of pages each night to upskill myself

I have maths theory books at home - Elementary and Middle School Maths, Teaching Developmentally, by Van De Walle, and Yes, But Why? Teaching For Understanding In Mathematics by Ed Southall. I haven’t been using them much but I’m hoping to look at them alongside the textbooks when teaching the content.

Would anyone have any suggestions on what else I can do? I’m absolutely petrified.. not to mention the whole multigrade situation with different curricula.. but I’m hoping that will be easier with a thematic approach where I’ll only have to discretely teach maths to both classes, and everything else can be differentiated within the outcome and expectations…

Any advice, help, criticism welcome! Thank you so much

Please no hate about social welfare. I know people have strong opinions, but I’m just looking for advice.

I’m a qualified primary school teacher and I’ve been offered a maternity leave contract until May. Because it’s a not a fixedterm contract, I’ll need to sign on during the school holidays (midterm, Christmas, Easter and then over the summer).

My mother is on Invalidity Pension because she can’t work. Nobody else in the house claims social welfare, and we’re worried that if I make a claim , it could affect the payments or benefits..

Has anyone been in a similar situation, or does anyone know if my claiming Jobseeker’s during school closures could impact this? If it would, are there any other options available to me instead?

I’m planning to go to Citizens Information tomorrow, but I’m so anxious about it that I thought I’d ask here first in case anyone has any experience.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hi,

I’ve been offered a maternity leave contract for the upcoming school year.

I’m just wondering if anyone knows how much I’ll be paid or how to calculate it? I’ll be on pay scale point 3 when starting.

Also when the school is closed will I get paid? We’re closed for the week of the ploughing so will I have to sign on?

Edit: how do I apply for jobseekers for Halloween/Christmas/ Easter? I’ve never applied before it’s so confusing😭