Previous School Experience
I spent time at a Catholic Junior School near to where I live and worked with years 3-6. I enjoyed this placement and it was after this that I knew for definite that teaching was the career that I wanted. During the placement I mainly observed the teacher and assisted with small groups. I witnessed a range of lessons being taught throughout the different year groups and also saw different methods of teaching such as the use of interactive whiteboards, games, role-plays and text books.
My most enjoyable day of the placement was a year 5 Ancient Greeks Day which involved both the children and the teachers dressing up, a school parade around the field, the Olympic games and a Greek banquet. The children clearly found this day exciting and wanted to participate and it was really nice for me and the teachers to see how much enjoyment and learning the children were getting from a themed day.
My most challenging day involved taking a year 6 class out of PE alone. I found this difficult as the children wanted complete control over choosing their teams but this was resulting in arguments between the children. When I tried to resolve the situation and take control, I was faced with comments such as "You're not the teacher!" as the older children were more aware that I was young and only volunteering, this made me realise how important it is to establish authority over the children on my teaching placement.
I have only had experience with KS2 and at the moment feel that this is the age range that I would like to go onto teach. Still, I am really looking forward to working with KS1 and after my school placements I may find that I have changed mind!
My most enjoyable day of the placement was a year 5 Ancient Greeks Day which involved both the children and the teachers dressing up, a school parade around the field, the Olympic games and a Greek banquet. The children clearly found this day exciting and wanted to participate and it was really nice for me and the teachers to see how much enjoyment and learning the children were getting from a themed day.
My most challenging day involved taking a year 6 class out of PE alone. I found this difficult as the children wanted complete control over choosing their teams but this was resulting in arguments between the children. When I tried to resolve the situation and take control, I was faced with comments such as "You're not the teacher!" as the older children were more aware that I was young and only volunteering, this made me realise how important it is to establish authority over the children on my teaching placement.
I have only had experience with KS2 and at the moment feel that this is the age range that I would like to go onto teach. Still, I am really looking forward to working with KS1 and after my school placements I may find that I have changed mind!
GPP
My GPP placement was at a school in Rochdale where I taught year 3. I found GPP to be very challenging but extremely enjoyable. I experienced teaching the subjects, literacy, numeracy, science, geography, design technology and PE. I feel that the placement has helped to develop my knowledge of planning and I now feel confident in my ability to apply curriculum objectives. GPP was a great opportunity to experiment with a range of teaching methods and I enjoyed thinking of ways to appeal to different learning styles. Examples include using book art in science and cooking in literacy.
I also implemented my own behaviour management strategies whilst in school such as no fidget zones and a clapping strategy. I found that these really helped in controlling the children's behaviour.
I also implemented my own behaviour management strategies whilst in school such as no fidget zones and a clapping strategy. I found that these really helped in controlling the children's behaviour.
KS2 Placement
This experience was at a school in Warrington and I was placed in a mixed year 5 and 6 class. I enjoyed this placement and found it to be different to what I had experienced during GPP, especially as the class contained mixed year groups. Reflecting on this experience, I have learnt a lot about how to use a teaching assistant in the classroom effectively and to maximise learning. I understand the role of a teaching assistant and the responsibilities which can be delegated to them. Additionally, this experience and my other experiences of teaching have given me an awareness of the types of relationships that may hold between a teaching assistant and a teacher, such as working in partnership to manage classroom behaviour.
Foundation Placement
This placement was in a reception class at a school in Warrington. I found this experience to be enjoyable and it gave me an insight into working with younger children as all of my experience has been within KS2. The school was very big, thus there were three reception classes which worked together in a large open plan classroom. Reflecting on this experience, I have learnt about how continuous provision works and how both the adult and children directed activities link to an area of learning. Additionally, this experience has allowed me to observe the ways in which foundation teachers assess their children, such as using photographs and making notes when talking to children.