PGDE question

jimnyscricket

Howdy

I have an honours degree in mathematics and am going to start my pgde in september to teach mathematics in a secondary school.
However, I'm a little concerned regarding the following...

I'm just wondering...can teachers of mathematics buy (or are given) a 'teacher's edition' of the book the students would have that would contain the solutions to the problems the teachers cover OR are the teachers expected to know the problems off by heart and be able to work them all out instantly 'on the spot' while teaching?

This is sort of a concern because I was thinking that if teachers dont have a 'teacjers edition' and are expected to be experts and should be able to solve any mathematical problem instantly that is put in front of them, then what would happen if the teacher was to, for whatever reason, get mental block on a day of teaching? or perhaps the teacher has a bad headache and just again for whatever reason forgets how to do a particular problem?

Thanks, in advance, to everyone who took the time to read/reply to my query.

JC

P.S. If you have any words of advice or encouragement for me, please do tell coz it's getting ever closer to my first day of teaching and my nerves are growing larger and larger.

spurious

Yes, there are teacher's editions, or supplements with solutions available.

Really, your subject will not be the focus of your efforts in a PGDE year. Most of the time your main focus will be classroom management. If you managed to get them asking you to solve random problems from the book, you'd be a million miles ahead of the posse, believe me.

Relax. They will smell fear. You're not on your own - make use of your supervising teacher and know the school's discipline procedures inside out. Make sure at the first sign of nonsense to utilise those procedures. Under no circumstances bargain with them in an attempt to be seen as a 'nice guy'.

'They' can be frustrating, scary, sometimes threatening, funny and endearing all in the same class. They're what make it worthwhile, but they have to know you're in charge.

jimnyscricket

Hi Spurious.

Thanks for your reply.

How would I go about getting hold of a 'teachers edition' books? I dont know what classes I will be teaching come september nor what books the students use - but to get my hands on a teachers edition of the books the students will be using, do i need to go to the publishers myself and buy it? or do i ask the principal come september and he will give one to me?

Thanks again.

JC

spurious

You will be plagued with publishing companies flinging free stuff at you. I would expect your supervising teacher to at the very least get you a teacher's book, or lend you theirs.

How late are they going to leave it to tell you what class groups you have?

The first few days back in late August are always fairly messy so you will get your books sorted then.