Cover Lessons - Liking What You Do

"Do what you like," is a phrase that frightens a lot of inexperienced supply teachers and it shouldn't.

Doing your own thing gives you the opportunity to innovate, to be creative, to use and develop your skills and to try new things. When I'm told, "do what you like," I know me and the kids are going to have a good day.

The first rule is that there must be learning and teaching going on. It is not an excuse for colouring in. Secondly, it has to be considerably better than a regular lesson and finally, it helps if you can match it to the current learning and the day's timetable.

"They've been practicing multiplication," said the TA supporting a year 4 class. The computer room was free and within minutes the entire class was playing 'the Game of Goose' and giggling with delight as they solved a variety of tables problems.

It was new to the kids, a refreshing change for the TA and a resource that could be used in the school again and again. That's another rule about supply. You have to be up to date. If you can leave something behind, so much the better.

In another lesson the teacher, on PPA time, asked me to do the Egyptians and how and why people were mummified. It wasn't his thing. With minutes to go I pulled up an animated resource about making a mummy. When the teacher saw it, he realised that he'd like to teach that lesson himself and asked me if I minded. What do you say when you're on in two minutes and need a lesson? You say yes and do something else. That teacher will probably have used the resource well. It was his class and he will also remember the favour.

You must be able to do something else at a moment's notice. If you can't you're going to struggle at supply.

You need a head full of stories, a head full of songs and a secure knowledge of the national curriculum. You need a very good memory.

The other side of "do what you like," is "like what you do." If you can make it fun because you enjoy it, the kids will enjoy it too.