Teaching_Assistant_Diploma_Course

TEACHING ASSISTANT DIPLOMA COURSE ASSIGNMENT ONE Question 1 Describe how you might contribute to a lesson given to a group of seven year old children learning to play percussion instruments' The role of a teaching assistant is to support learning in the classroom, and to also help create a positive learning environment. I would contribute to this lesson in the following way: • Before the start of the lesson discuss with the teacher the learning objective and clarify any knowledge I am unsure of for the lesson, this could include names of instruments. • Demonstrate along with the teacher. • Look for children struggling or unsure, possibly demonstrate again and assist them. • Making sure general behavior of children is within the school expectations and all on task, and also the children are enjoying learning what may be a new instrument for them. • Offer positive praise as much as possible. • Checking for any child who may be left out and encouraging them into group. • Getting involved myself by playing along with an instrument. • Check all the time that instruments are being used safely. • Assist the children in putting instruments away correctly, demonstrating so they can learn to do it independently. • Make any observations I may have been asked to do and then complete at the end of the lesson so I can feedback to the teacher. Question 2 What might your role be in organising, using and maintaining the learning resources, material and equipment for this percussion lesson' My role would involve: • Maximising learning with a safe environment. • Follow the health and safety policy within the school. • Discussing with the teacher what instruments are needed. • Possibly clearing an area (tables and chairs) so the children have a safe area to work in. • Source the instruments and check them individually for safety making sure there are no loose or broken parts. Also that they are all clean. • If music sheets are needed, check the quantity for whole group, photocopying if needed. • Make myself familiar with the instruments so I have the knowledge for working with the group in the lesson. • Work alongside the children ensuring they are using instruments correctly and encouraging proper use, demonstrating this to them. • Report any faulty equipment to the appropriate department, either creating or updating any itinerary. • At the end of the lesson check equipment is clean and put away ready for the next use. Assist children in the instruments being stored in the correct manner. Question 3 Describe how you act in class in order to be an effective role model for the standards of behavior expected in pupils' Being a role model is one of the most important parts of being a Teaching Assistant, this should involve: • Establish good relationships with class teacher, children and staff. • Communicating with the class teacher so you are both following same rules for consistency for the students. Both should model high standards. • Use appropriate language with both students and adults, behaving around school as you would expect students to behave, showing an example to them. • Always discuss matters about students in private with teacher, away from the students. • Adhere to school policies, making sure I am up to date with any changes there may be. • Always acknowledge good behavior and reward for this. • Encourage class to follow class rules and treat people as they would wish to be treated. • Displaying good manners. • Show respect to both adults and students in school. Question 4 What strategies might you employ to encourage pupils to behave appropriately' Describe how you might react to incidents of bullying and violence. A Teaching Assistant should be aware of school expectations. • Class rules could be established and all the class should be involved in making these. They are then aware what is expected of them. Possibly getting all the class to sign the rules and then have them displayed so all can see. • Positive encouragement, praising children who are following the rules. • Reward scheme, for example House points for their team, free time gained for an activity of their choice which could be time put aside at the end of the week. • Be proactive in lessons, sit around children you know may distract others so you can encourage them to concentrate on the lesson. • Any form of bullying needs to be reported to the teacher or senior staff. • The Teaching Assistant can support and listen to the victim, build up a rapport so they feel .you are approachable to talk to. • It may be that the school can have an assembly to reinforce school policy about bullying and the consequences, this could also be a class discussion. • Dealing with incidents quickly so they can be rectified to stop other incidents happening. Question 5 Describe how you might appropriately observe the physical abilities and skills of a nine year old boy. I would begin by discussing with the teacher the aim of the observation, taking notes of fine/gross motor skills. • Organise and set up activities which would include physical activities in the classroom, possibly handwriting practice (size and orientation of letters, pencil grip) or an activity involving cutting with scissors. • Walking around school in general, take a group including boy being observed to the library or around school so observations can be made on stairs etc. • In a PE lesson, I would join in the lesson to observe how the boy is with certain activites which would be pre arranged with PE teacher or class teacher. This could be ball skills, catching and throwing, football, racket sports or running, looking at co-ordination. • Spatial awareness with peers. • Once children changed from PE kit or swimming kit, observe for shirt buttons not tied or if there is any difficulty with shoelaces. • A lot of observations are most efficient if done in group work so the child is not aware he is being individually observed, especially Key Stage 2 children. • It is best to observe the child on more than one occasion to get a true picture of his ability. • All observations should be fed back to the teacher for the childs development records and must stay confidential within school. A Teaching Assistant is a valuable asset to the teacher in the classroom. They should always have the knowledge of any safety equipment, fire extinguishers, first aid box and be aware of the procedure in the event of a fire alarm. For best practice in the classroom a Teaching Assistant should be proactive and forward thinking so the teacher does not have to worry about having everything to hand and can concentrate on the students learning. Being involved in the planning means everyone is prepared and can offer the best learning environment for the students.