Reflection 3
Standard 4: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
Focus Area 4.2.1: Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
Standard 4: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
Focus Area 4.2.1: Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
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During my first practicum I could not wait to create fun and engaging lessons and that is all I thought about when planning them but I missed one very important thing; Stating your expectations and asking the question "What do you want them to do?" and "How do you want them to do it?" I have had pretty compliant classes and it makes it easy for me standing up there to have such students BUT that's not reality. The reality is not every student is the same. Strategies such as clapping, using the bell and the fish concentration game may work for some students but not others. I have found that only using my voice to explain the task and what instructions they need to follow is not sufficient. My aim is to continue finding out more creative ways to explain tasks and organise lessons that do not rely just on textbooks and PowerPoint presentations. I often use ICT to outline clear directions and go over these as a class which also works well. Asking some students to repeat the instructions when I do use my voice is a strategy I also picked up along the way. But the one thing that has stuck with me like glue is that students won’t care about the content if they don’t care about you. The effective teacher in my opinion can articulate the proper sequence and pacing of content by considering the needs of the students collectively and individually (Marzano, 2003). I want to be that teacher that develops strong trusting and supportive relationships with the students and know them inside and out to ensure I am catering to all their needs in the way I teach and communicate with them (Ames, 1992). Wow, so many things to consider I need to take a breather....Wait no, I need to keep reflecting. One meaningful lesson I created to get to know my year 6 class was a lesson on Abstract Art. They drew 13 lines (to represent 13 people in the class) and filled them with colours that represented their personality. Sharing these as a class and why they chose these specific colours was authentic, fun and insightful. Click here to view the lesson plan! 368 words. |