"With plans of 'Mindful Mondays' and 'Wisdom Wednesdays' I'm very excited but also a bit nervous... what kind of form tutor will I be?"
Being a form tutor is such a vital role for every pupil that you interact with each morning. Although I have had some form tutor experience in my teacher training placements, I am yet to fully affirm what kind of form tutor I will be. Well...I know who I'd like to be and what I'd like to plan for each day, but whether it will happen is something only time will tell!
I am so excited to be a form tutor, to welcome the pupils every morning, checking-in with them and supporting them through their time in school. I have been given a Year 7 form for my NQT position, which is great! I've got lots of fun and ice-breaking activities for our first week together, and whilst I'll obviously be ahead of them regarding knowledge of the school, the idea of starting new adventures and a new school together is lovely.
Having met them all already, and learnt some names (yes!), I can't wait to start in September. However, I've always been in favour of structure, and would argue that although they might not admit it, pupils do too. I have ideas of 'Mindful Mondays' for a calm start to the week, and 'Wisdom Wednesdays' in which we talk about a motivational quote, or an inspirational person to provide ambitions, dreams and aspirations amid a morning registration. But, as an NQT I am unsure of the freedom that I will have to hold sessions such as these in form-time, being aware that my previous schools have had scheduled uniform and stationary checks, current affairs, assemblies, etc. in the weekly plan. I am hoping that I will be able to combine the two to create a calm, posititve and enjoyable start to each morning.
Searching online, and on social media platforms (which are becoming invaluable for teaching resources if you know who to follow!), I have made my own 'Get To Know Me Jar', from which pupils can choose a random question to tell their peers an interesting/new fact about themselves. I love the idea of this, as just one, simple question will be absolutely enough for some students (maybe even a challenge!), but for others who want to elaborate can. I've included 32, so I can start, creating a comfortable environment in which they feel free to share should they wish.
I've also made some positive, motivational cards, to very importantly create a sense of care for ourselves and also for one another. I hope to display these in my form room, teaching classroom or both! I think it is so important that we encourage pupils to be emotional learners, to be able to read other people's emotions whilst also being able to recognise their own. I am aware that form tutors become very knowledgabe about their students - their personaltiies, homelives, interests and hobbies, etc. because we see them everyday, and this is exactly why I am so keen to create an honest, open and safe environment so that we can all enjoy formtimes and hopefully start each day with a big smile (or maybe just a grunt for a reply signalling they can take on the day, by the time we get to Year 9!).
So, how are you preparing for September? Any tips to create a fabulous form class? Let me know! Please comment any advice, resources or stories about being a form tutor!
Miss B :)
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