Tecahing_Assistant_Diploma_Assignment_1

Teaching Assistant Diploma – Assignment One 1. Describe how you might contribute to a lesson given to a group of seven year old children learning to play percussion instruction. The role of a teaching assistant is to maximise learning, create a safe and positive learning environment and to minimise behaviour problems. I would contribute to the lesson by trying to achieve this goal in the following way: Making sure there is suitable, safe space for all the equipment to be set up in. I would check to make sure that all the working area is clean and tidy of any other objects that are not needed for the lesson. I would also check that there will be adequate equipment and that all instruments are in good working order prior to use. I would also make sure I had a good knowledge of the instruments prior to the lesson, if I didn’t I would ask the teacher to clarify the names and also how they were to be used. Helping children who may struggle using the instruments, showing them how to hold and play with them. Making sure that music sheets are available if needed. I would also monitor their behaviours by supervising and to try and minimize disruptive behaviour, which will help the children keep interest in the lesson. I would also ensure that I carry out observations on the children to make sure they have the ability to use the instruments and to achieve the outcome of the lesson. As a teaching assistant I should also be prepared to offer feedback at the end of the session to either the children or the teacher. 2. What might your role be in organising, using and maintaining the learning resources, materials and equipment' I would assist in the preparation of the resources, ensuring the classroom was set up before the lesson begins. I would ensure that all the instruments are set up correctly as instructed by the teacher, checking that they are in a good, clean and also in a safe working order. I would also be checking that there will be enough instruments for the class whether it be one instrument each or sharing between set groups. I would also check for music sheets and that they are also in a good readable condition, if they were damaged I would report this to the teacher and arrange for new music sheets to be photocopied. I would also encourage the children at the end of the lesson to be responsible to put the instruments away correctly and safely avoiding any damages to the equipment, if any were damaged I would report this to the teacher to arrange either a replacement or to be repaired. I would also make sure that at the end of the lesson that all the work sufaces are clean and the classroom back to the how it would have been found at the beginning of the lesson. 3. Describe how you act in class in order to be an effective role model for the standards of behaviour expected in pupils. As a teaching assistant it is essential to be an effective role model to promote positive behaviour both within the class and also in the school when around other pupils, teachers and staff. Pupils cannot be expected to behave in class if your own behaviour is not appropriate. It is also important to use appropriate language and that good manners are always used at all time, this would also apply when speaking to other adults and pupils. I would also show respect for other pupils and listen to them and help encourage them to show the same courtesy to you and others. This would also apply to following school rules and to make sure these are being adhered to. It is important to notice when children are trying hard and acknowledge it. But it is also important to not forget pupils who behave inappropriate and try and encourage them or to offer a reward be it sticker or reward chart. Positive recognition must always be followed up, for example if you have told a pupil you will tell the teacher of their good behaviour then this should be followed up and the teacher made aware of this. I would also encourage children to work as part of a team, pay attention and concentrate on the task. I would also offer support to those pupils who felt isolated or were not getting involved in the task set by the teacher. It is also important for the teaching assistant to be a good role model and is not only focused on the pupil’s behaviour but also their learning as well. Example of this could be a child in the class who is not confident enough to speak out loudly when involved in a group task, you could build up a rapport with the child and to try and work with them about ideas they have and to then encourage them to use these ideas with in the group. 4. What strategies might you employ to encourage pupils to behave appropriately' Describe how you might react to incidents of bullying and violence. To encourage pupils to behave appropriately I would get them involved with making the rules, keeping them simple and not to make too many as this may distract them from why rules are there. I would also encourage them strongly to adhere to these rules and what consequences may be if not followed. I would also encourage pupils of good standards of behaviour at all times and reward them for this i.e. stickers or reward charts. This will then reduce any form a behaviour problems from occurring. Be proactive and to prepare things in advance by doing this it will reduce and problems occurring. And also to imagine any possible problems that may occur though out the lesson. All signs of bullying or violence should be taken seriously and reported and logged with the teacher or other school staff. I would also make sure that any signs of bullying or violence is acted upon correctly to make sure or minimize it from happening in the future. This should be made aware to the pupils by the teacher and to also act upon any kind of follow up as directed from the teacher if bullying or violence is found be it in the classroom or outside the classroom. This could be dealt with by dealing with the incident individually and to assess what needs are required to eliminate this from happening in the future. I would also make sure that the pupils can see I can be approachable to speak about any concerns they may have and that they can report these confidentially and that the school will support and protect them from all parties involved in bullying and violence. 5. Describe how you might appropriately observe the physical abilities and skills of a nine year old boy. When observing it is essential to find out from the teacher the reason for the observation so that when I am reporting back I can advise correctly of any finding found. The observation would need to be carried out on normal day for the pupil so that you can see them at their full advantage and be able to report it correctly. If the pupil was to know that they were being observed then they may go shy, embarrassed and even perform rather than acting normally as they would on a day to day basis. When observing the pupil I would attempt to make some rapport with the pupil so that they could comfortable with me being around them, especially if I am not generally known to them. Whilst doing the observation I would be looking for their: * Social and emotional – how they interact with other * Instructions – how they deal with group or individual tasks * Language and communication skills – how to speak to others * Physical abilities – how they move or handle objects THE END