| Hi,
I am planning to move to London and work as a Teacher (I have already graduated from University of Athens Greece, 4years of study, no work experience).
Could anybody tell me if the GCSE books of physics for the students are the same in every school or not, or which are the most dominant ones so that I can buy?
Which GCSE books for teachers would help me prepare better and pass the exams for teachers?
Other helpful material or career advice would be highly appreciated?
Regards,
Thodoris. |
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Hi Theo,
My school doesn't use text books. Also, GCSE science is generally taught as a mixed science: some biology, some chemistry, and some physics ...etc. Different schools can buy into different sets of curriculums. For instance, my school uses Edexcel and Nationals as its main GCSE options.
On top of this, teachers here teach at TWO key stages. So you'd be teaching both Key stage 3 and 4...possibly even 6th form level depending on your school.
I wish I could be more help to you on this. I understand the frustration of not being able to "get" the differences from afar, but I think you'll be alright once you are here.
Meli |
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Hi,
To make things simple: What I am asking is what material should I study in order to make me a well prepared Physics teacher for the GCSE level students!
What does a KEY level 4 student NEED? Which books are useful to him/her? Will the students in the classroom buy a book their teacher will suggest or all the work is done by slides and papers the teacher prepares?
WHAT should I need to show to my interviewers so that I can get a descent job!
Regards,
Thodoris.
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Hi Theo,
To be a good GCSE SCIENCE teacher, you will need to be able to teach the following:
Biology topics
1)The environment (biomes, adaptations, food webs,selective breeding, natural selection, evolution, ...etc)
2)Genetics (DNA structure, sexual/asexual reproduction, variation, alleles/punnett squares, environmental influences, sex-linked traits, Human genome project, cloning/transgenics,...etc)
3) Nervous & hormonal system function
4) The use, misuse, and abuse of drugs intended to treat human diseases (and human diseases as well.)
Chemistry topics
1)Patterns in properties (periodic table and structure of atom basically)
2)Making changes (types of reactions, reactivity series, metal ores, safety symbols & procedures,...etc)
3)"There's only one Earth" (types of hydrocarbons and energy, Global warming, alternatives to fossil fuels, processing of crude oil,...etc)
4)"Designer products" (using chemistry to make new and useful materials basically)
Physics topics
1) Producing and measuring electricity (types of circuits, current, voltage, resistance, types of batteries including rechargables, producing electric current, microchips, magnetism, ...etc)
2)"You're in charge" (renewable means of generating electricity, the national grid, motors, fuses & safety, power, efficiency, energy-efficiency, ...etc)
3)"Now you see it, now you don't" (types of waves, reflection, ultrasound uses, earthquakes, refraction, EM spectrum, uses for waves, digital vs analog, optical fibres,...etc)
4)Space and its mysteries (mass/weight, universal scale, comets & asteroids, space travel, Observations of universe, SETI, Life of a star, ...etc)
As a trained Microbiologist with a concentration in genetics and a sub-specialty in evolution, I am required to teach ALL of the above topics to my year 10 and 11 students. What's more is the picture for Key Stage 3 is very similar, just at a simpilier level.
Do you understand what I was trying to tell you about needing to be able to do ALL topics now? Because Chemistry is a particularly weak area for me, my school has been sending me to a little course (4 days out of a year) and given me a mentor who is strong in that area to help. As long as you are willing to work at it and have the basics, they are generally willing to work with you over here.
I hope that helps,
Meli |
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Hi,
Thank you Meli,
So may I assume that there is no single role physics teacher in key stages 3, 4 and physics is taught only by SCIENCE TEACHERS?
In this particular case and since I have been taught biology and chemistry in the university, can you name a number of good books (for each field of science) that would help me prepare for the UK interviews, as the title of this topic suggests?
Regards,
Thodoris. |
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