Annie Said:

Is it too much for third grade students (9 year olds) to take 9 different standardizeds tests within one year?

We Answered:

That's 8 too many tests right there.

Wade Said:

I need advice for a second interview I have coming up for a third grade teaching position.?

We Answered:

Four things to brush up on as they are current "buzz" topics in education:

1. No Child Left Behind - what would it mean for you as a teacher? for your students? for your students' parents? how would it effect your teaching?

2. Students with special needs (both learning disabilities and gifted) - how will you incorporate the IEP goals into your classroom instruction? how will you address students with needs in your daily lesson plans and practice activities?

3. Cooperative learning - what cooperative techniques do you frequently incorporate into your teaching methods? do you feel they enhance teaching and learning and why?

4. Technology - what technology are you familiar with and have you used in instruction previously? what part do you see technology taking in your classroom? how would you best use it to enhance learning opportunities?

It might also be a good idea to have a portfolio to share with the interviewer (principal? district HR person? teachers?). It would be even more impressive if it was in a digital format and showcased some of the technology you have utilized. Good luck!

Samuel Said:

What questions can I expect to be asked in an interview for a third grade rural teaching job?

We Answered:

The best advice I have for you is to research the district that you are applying for a job in. Find out what curriculum they use for math, reading, writing and any other subjects. Sometimes it will say on the district website. Sometimes it will say on individual teacher pages that are on their site. Otherwise you can call the school and ask the secretary, they may be able to tell you. Then find out what you can about that type of curriculum. For example, the district that I interviewed for and now work in uses Everyday math, which spirals the curriculum instead of teaching a solid unit on one area, then moving to the next and the next, etc. One question that they asked me was "What math curriculum have you used in your student teaching?" I answered the question but also added to it by saying that I know what they use and talked a bit about that.

Another tip I have is to bring a portfolio or binder with photos of projects you have done with students, if you have any. I brought this along and when they asked me questions about what types of balanced literacy activities I have done with students I was able to tell them about it and show them a picture of the end result. If you have it, great, if you don't, no biggie, you'll just have to explain a little more.

Some questions that you will get are:
Why do you want to be a teacher?
Tell us a little about your student teaching and/or teaching experience.
How would you handle a student who is not behaving in the classroom? What type of behavior plan would you use?
How do you feel about special education students in the classroom? How would you collaborate with the special education teacher to make sure their needs are being met?
How would you handle a parent that is not happy about something that happened at school?
What would you do if you suspected child abuse or neglect?
Tell me about how you would teach reading?
What do you know about the 6 traits of writing?
What curriculum are you familiar with for math?
What would you do with a student who is struggling?

I also put some links to a ton of questions below. When I first interviewed, I printed out the questions and wrote out how I thought I would answer them. That is how I learn best though. I always studied for tests by rewriting my notes, so that really helped me feel confident in my answers when I was saying them.

Alfred Said:

How can I teach my third grade son to multiply, in Jan their going to be teaching him to divide....?

We Answered:

I learned through songs..same..miserable song every time. Another way I learned them is from my dad who would give me multiplication problems everyday.

A veces extran~o las taquerias de tijuana.

Le deseo mucha suerte a su hijo

Ruben Said:

What are some good, third-grade level books?

We Answered:

Bailey School Kids series - Debbie Dadey

Boxcar Mysteries series - Gertrude Chandler Warner (this is an awesome series - we have them all)

Two of a Kind - Megan Stine

American Girl series - Various Authors (another great series)

The Magic Treehouse series - Mary Pope Osborne (fabulous series)

The Secrets of Droon series - Tony Abbott

Ramona Quimby Age 8 - Beverly Cleary

Pink and Say - Patricia Pollaco

Little House in the Big Woods and series - Laura Ingalls Wilder ( a little bit harder reading)

The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis

Children of Christmas - Cynthia Rylant


also.. you should have a few 4th & 5th grade level books for those little advanced readers..

Go on ebay to buy them.. you can get lots of books, at a bargain price!

That Boy in the Girls bathroom is a great book (funny!)

Lena Said:

Lesson Ideas for teaching a third grade class?

We Answered:

How about a multiplication activity? This is one called circles and stars. Roll a die. Draw that many circles on the paper. Roll the die again. Draw that many stars in each circle. Write the equation: first roll x second roll = total number of stars. Repeat as many times as you can in the allowed time. It's simple, the kids enjoy it and it reinforces the concept of multiplication.
No matter what you decided to do be sure to practice before you do it with the class. Good Luck.