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Quick help needed: ideas for class


Eenuh

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Hey all! I just got a call today that I need to fall in for a teacher who got sick. Normally I'd be assisting her in her class, but since she fell ill I have to completely replace her. Thing is I've never stood in front of a class alone before.

 

I now basically have an hour to think of an idea for what to do in the class, if I can't think of anything I have to call back to cancel the class.

 

Basically it's a class of 20 kids, all about 6 years old. They can't do too much yet. I need to think of a theme to work around, or a fun but easy art exercise... I'd do something with Christmas but there might be a muslim girl there too (not sure). Plus then I still need to figure out what to do. =P

 

 

Any help? *dies*

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Make Christmas Cards!

 

Easiest thing in the world. Give them all a piece of card, get them to fold in in half as best they can.

 

Draw a Christmas picture on the front and write a message inside.

 

And if it's a Muslim girl they can be "Seasons Greetings" cards? :heh:

 

 

And if you're nervous about standing in front of a class, don't worry about it, as soon as you get up there you'll be fine and really enjoy it. This teacher falling ill is the best thing to happen as it's forcing you to make the step up!

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Yeah I was thinking of something like Christmas cards, but the thing is I don't know how well these kids can draw/paint. Last week I was there we did papier maché, and they -all- needed help as they couldn't do it themselves.

 

I'm thinking maybe I need to prepare stencils so they can easily paint shapes on paper, but the thing is I have to fill 1 and a half hour heh. So might have to think of two or three ideas then. =P

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Yeah I was thinking of something like Christmas cards, but the thing is I don't know how well these kids can draw/paint. Last week I was there we did papier maché, and they -all- needed help as they couldn't do it themselves.

 

I'm thinking maybe I need to prepare stencils so they can easily paint shapes on paper, but the thing is I have to fill 1 and a half hour heh. So might have to think of two or three ideas then. =P

 

6 year olds can draw... not very well though. They'll love making Christmas Cards and then trying to write on the inside. You'll be surprised how much time the whole thing will take up. They love colouring in too.

 

Do a demonstration yourself, so draw a Christmas Tree on the front of a card, colour it in and then write a small message on the inside.

 

Stencils would be a good idea but a lot of extra work. I remember years ago my mum used to have Christmas stencils for exactly this, things like stars, Christmas trees. Very basic but they were cardboard and did a good job. Perfect for a 6 year old.

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Not sure I'll have them draw or paint yet, hmm. Painting is fun cause they could do stencils (if I make any), but it's also more of a mess heh.

 

Might also do some very easy christmas decorations (like stuff they can decorate and then cut out and put on a string). Though again I imagine I'll have to do all the cutting heh.

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I think you should have them stitch faux-leather wallets that you can sell on at a high price.

 

Failing that, perhaps you could have them all draw a picture of themselves with their names at the bottom — they will be terrible but it doesn't really matter — for an advent calendar for the teacher who's off ill. If they were done in a card format you can have them number the fronts, then stick them to a big piece of card.

 

Art, literacy and number work (which doesn't quite add up, but ssh) in one handy exercise!

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I think you should have them stitch faux-leather wallets that you can sell on at a high price.

 

Failing that, perhaps you could have them all draw a picture of themselves with their names at the bottom — they will be terrible but it doesn't really matter — for an advent calendar for the teacher who's off ill. If they were done in a card format you can have them number the fronts, then stick them to a big piece of card.

 

Art, literacy and number work (which doesn't quite add up, but ssh) in one handy exercise!

 

Advent Calendar might now work as it's far into advent now but you could take this idea and get them to draw a picture of themselves on separate pieces of card and then stick them to a big piece of paper in the shape of a Christmas Tree?

 

 

Edit - Or even better, a picture of the person opposite them.

 

Edit 2 - I should be a primary school teacher.

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Hmm I think drawing portraits is a bit too difficult for them heh. And advent calendars aren't really that popular here, as far as I know.

 

I think I'm gonna stick to my christmas decorations and card. Should keep them occupied I hope. =P

Stuff like this, just without glitter etc:

 

KK_spiraal_8.jpg

 

baubles-decorated.jpg

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Depending on how PC you have to be, it may be best to say "Holiday decorations and cards".

 

Don't think anyone here cares about PC. =P

I told the person who called me I'd be working around Christmas, and it seemed fine to her. Then again she's not a teacher but oh well.

 

Time to start planning this lesson now!

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Typical woman!

 

"Give me your ideas, I'm desperate! Thanks, now I'm going to do my idea anyway."

 

I feel used, like a primary school child forced to make faux-leather wallets.

 

Haha no, I did need tips! I don't know anything about 6 year olds or what they are capable of, only worked with kids this age twice, ever. =P

 

I just have to decide now whether to have the card or the decorations first. And paint or crayons/pencils. I know what is easiest for me, but that might not be the most fun for the kids haha.

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Well I decided to have them do decorations first. I'm gonna make stencils for different shapes (tree, star and Christmas ball) and have them draw those on paper. They can then colour those in (both sides). Then when it's time to cut them out, I think I will have to help them.

 

Those who finish early can start working on a Christmas card. They can use the stencil for the tree again if they want. Or just draw random winter/Christmas stuff heh. Hope this is all good enough for these kids. =P

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I know I would have loved to be in that class when I was a kid. Doing fun things was a rarity.

 

Hope it goes well Eenuh!

 

You should hear the stuff that kids do in primary school these days; it seems that actually working has been pushed aside.

 

Class projects in my day were learning about the Romans, WW2 or something like that. These days they are playing Cooking Mama as a class project!

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Class projects in my day were learning about the Romans, WW2 or something like that. These days they are playing Cooking Mama as a class project!

 

Back in my day we didn't have colouring pencils! We had to walk fifteen miles to the nearest garden and get flowers to smudge the paper with.

The earth didn't have crust either, we walked on the mantle and we were damn grateful!

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Odwin: I actually saw that online somewhere. But that would've been way too difficult to do with a class of 20, especially since it's my first time ever "teaching". =P

 

Also, it's not primary school, but after school art school. So lots more material to work with. Problem is these kids don't seem to have developed the skills yet to use it all.

 

Anyway lesson is over, and I'm soooo glad I got help haha. I asked my sister to come assist me, as she's used to handling kids from her work. Without her the lesson would've been even more of a mess. =P

 

I let the kids pick from three shapes to draw on their paper, and then they could colour it in with oil pastel or coloured pencils. Thing is some kids finished it in less than half an hour, others took the entire lesson. So I let some of them do more than one. And if they were finished with that, they just had to draw Christmas stuff/a Christmas card haha.

 

 

Wonder how I'll ever manage a class on my own though... My voice doesn't even seem to be strong enough to get them all to hear me. Fail. =P

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