This week is memorable for many reasons. Firstly the Choir sang at the
local conference centre alongside many other schools who use the School Music
Service, I finished a science project I had been working on for the past two
weeks, my tutor has noticed an improvement in my teaching, and it was my last
day at University until we all go back in January.
Last week’s reflection was focused on achieving Standard 8, and in
particular 8.1, which for some people can be difficult especially as it often
requires juggling work and study with something to attend at lunch and after
school. Luckily for me I have always been a busy person both in childhood and
as an adult by joining the local Scout Organisation, coaching a football team
whilst studying my degree, and running with a local running club during the
past two years (proudly won their club championship and am also men’s captain).
I had to swap my break duty with a colleague on Tuesday due to a final
rehearsal at the centre and this shows interpersonal skills because I need to
strike a chord with those I work with and not expect someone to simply cover me
because I need it. During the event I assisted the Music Teacher in making sure
our students were kept both safe and on task- we were the best behaved
in my opinion. If you know me I am all for making friends and did just that by
introducing myself to all the other teachers from the other schools. You never
know who you could meet at a job interview or on a course and teaching is a
small community. One of the schools had a problem with a song that I knew and
the teacher was thankful for me briefly singing along.The evening was a huge success and many parents and school friends
attended to watch the performance. I felt extremely proud of the students and
can’t wait until I am able to organise a choir to go to such an event.
Finishing my circuit game for a Science Evening that took place during the week was one
of my mini-projects althoughI kept experiencing problems with certain parts of the
circuit. However, when I added a second battery, it allowed the bulb to become
brighter and despite originally wanting to use a buzzer (it’s a game in which
you slowly and carefully manoeuvre a looped piece of wire around a windy path
from one end to the other). Some of my class helped to put it together and a
few were chosen to be Science Ambassadors as well for the event.
2nd Half Term University Observation
Wednesday loomed and I was nervous about teaching in front of my tutor
but prepared myself as well as I could. The last Math’s lesson I was observed
in, gave me a few things to progress and improve on including; Subject Knowledge,
use of assessment, praising appropriately and explaining why, and giving a
plenary. I managed to do all of these however didn't give a good plenary and this is something I need to work on. I rushed it and
forgot to include the LO although during the lesson I did point out to the
class that they had managed to achieve each of the Success Criterion and
explained why I moved them around the classroom (recent assessment and also to
get year groups working together). With the starter I assessed quickly who
grasped the concept of the lesson and didn't move onto the main task until I
was confident everyone was ready to do so.
During my last two days at University I helped to deliver a SEND
presentation on Down Syndrome and learnt a lot from other presentations who
focused on Autism (4 groups), another Down Syndrome, and how Support staff are
used in the classroom. Ours was 2nd to last due to the majority of
the group coming from Group C. In hindsight I wish the course would have given
the list of topics and said all needed covering so first come first serve. The
actual result was a few similar presentations and a lot of us felt it could
have been more useful with a group looking at ADHD for example or even someone
with Speech and Listening Difficulties.
Two ladies from the a local LEA came to discuss life after
training and how to apply for our first teaching job. It is scary to think that
in a few months we will be searching for jobs, whether it be our training
school, second placement or other. I have been in many interviews although this
is going to be one of the most important ones in my life ranking alongside both
my University interview and the one I did to get on this course.
I am yet to start thinking about 2015-16 especially with January to come.
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