During the first semester of university I took part in a teaching placement module where I taught in a year 3/4 class at a local primary school. This involved teaching the children about Roman daily life, the gods they worshipped, the way the Roman army was organised and the way in which we use Roman myths to learn about Roman History.
The work placement module has taught me the various ways classes were prepared for; from the general lesson plan and handout composition, to adapting handouts to suit all abilities - including SEN pupils and MAT pupils - and the implementation of the various learning techniques. Further to the theory behind the composition of lessons and lesson planning, I have learnt techniques to keep children focused on the activity at hand, adapting lessons as they are taught when certain activities do not work and gaining valuable knowledge in time management within the classroom itself.
Not only has this module taught me some of the theory behind becoming a teacher, but it has given me some valuable experiences from teaching the class. From being able to keep children focused on the task at hand, ensuring they are less likely to get up and wonder about, to being able to manage ‘controlled chaos’ when necessary, this placement has been an interesting and informative learning experience. The knowledge gained from this experience has not been the only benefit, however; moments such as when one pupil asked the student teacher helping him if he could come and show me his amphitheater pot and when another pupil gave me a hug as I was leaving, show that it is possible to make an impression on children, even when you only teach them for an hour and a half each week.
Written by Zoe Timney, 12 December 2014
The work placement module has taught me the various ways classes were prepared for; from the general lesson plan and handout composition, to adapting handouts to suit all abilities - including SEN pupils and MAT pupils - and the implementation of the various learning techniques. Further to the theory behind the composition of lessons and lesson planning, I have learnt techniques to keep children focused on the activity at hand, adapting lessons as they are taught when certain activities do not work and gaining valuable knowledge in time management within the classroom itself.
Not only has this module taught me some of the theory behind becoming a teacher, but it has given me some valuable experiences from teaching the class. From being able to keep children focused on the task at hand, ensuring they are less likely to get up and wonder about, to being able to manage ‘controlled chaos’ when necessary, this placement has been an interesting and informative learning experience. The knowledge gained from this experience has not been the only benefit, however; moments such as when one pupil asked the student teacher helping him if he could come and show me his amphitheater pot and when another pupil gave me a hug as I was leaving, show that it is possible to make an impression on children, even when you only teach them for an hour and a half each week.
Written by Zoe Timney, 12 December 2014