Teaching Assistant Level 3

Describe how you might contribute to a lesson given to a group of seven year old children learning to play percussion instruments.

In order to contribute to this lesson to achieve a positive outcome I would do the following.

I would make sure before anything that the equipment being used was safe to use and clean and ready to be set up. I would set out all the equipment before hand so it was ready for when the children came into the classroom. I would ensure that it was set up in a safe space so the children could explore and learn without any disruption. Also to make sure any other items or objects were put away so the children wouldn’t be distracted.

I would make sure I had knowledge of all the instruments that were being used, how to use them properly so I could explain this to the children fully and if they had any questions I would be able to answer.

I would work my way around the classroom to supervise and support any children needing any extra assistance with using the equipment and if any child had a particular difficulty I would help as much as I could by showing them how to use it and explaining. If this wasn’t helping I would explain to the teacher that a certain child was struggling with the activity.

I would make sure all children had a chance to use all the different instruments that had been set out for them. This would prevent them loosing concentration and getting bored which would minimize disruptive behaviour and help the children to keep an interest in the lesson. I would also use praise and encouragement throughout to support the children’s learning.

Lastly at the end I would make sure all the equipment was still clean and safe to use and the get the children to help to put it away carefully and efficiently.

What might your role be in organising, using and maintaining the learning resources, material and equipment for this percussion lesson?

So I could assist in this lesson I would do the following

I would check beforehand that all the equipment is safe and clean for the children to use throughout the lesson. If something was wrong, the equipment was faulty or wasn’t safe for the children to use then I would report this to the teacher who could then get it repaired or replaced ready for the next time it was to be used.

I would ensure all the equipment needed for the lesson was set up ready before the lesson started so once the children came in they could get on with the task straight away

Also I would check that there was enough equipment to go around before the lesson started so if there wasn’t I could inform the teacher and we could work around this by either putting children into pairs or larger groups to work together and share the equipment if there wasn’t enough for one each.

I would assist and help the teacher throughout the lesson by making sure the children were using the equipment properly and safely.

At the end of the lesson, I would get the children to help put the equipment away safely and carefully in the correct place so it would be ready for the next time it needed to be used by others and whilst doing so I would check to make sure all the equipment was safe to be used again, if it wasn’t I would report it to the teacher and place it elsewhere.

Then I would make sure the classroom was put back to normal, tidied and cleaned up ready for the next lesson.

Describe how you act in class in order to be an effective role model for the standards of behaviour expected in pupils?

It is very important to be an effective role model in this environment to both pupils and teachers alike. To do this in the classroom and around school I would

I would make sure my behaviour at all times was appropriate by using good language, good manners and to always be polite to both staff and children.

I would sit and listen to pupils and help to show them that it is polite to do the same. This helps to show them good manners and politeness is important to both adults and children.

It is also very important to use positive recognition and praise to all children. Especially those who may struggle with behavioural problems or struggle quite a lot. Mention it to the teacher how well they have done if they have behaved very well in the lesson or achieved something good. Encourage the children by telling them that if they use good behaviour it will be acknowledged.

I would also put children into groups to encourage them to work together and help each other out with the task at hand. If any pupils felt isolated or were struggling I would encourage other children to get them to join in and involve them with the task.

It is very important to set a good example and be a good role model as children absorb a lot from their surroundings and people in them. To help improve their behaviour and also their learning skills which would build up their confidence too. If any child felt they couldn’t work in a group or with other children, I would try and work alone with that child to help and support them so their ideas were shown and heard by the class.

What strategies might you employ to encourage pupils to behave appropriately? Describe how you might react to incidents of bullying and violence.

To get pupils to behave appropriately I would use positive reinforcement, so whenever they were very good, lined up properly, sat quietly or were able to follow a task through without any disruption or distraction I would praise them a lot and acknowledge this good behaviour.

Also using sticker charts and reward charts would be a good way forward as this also shows them how well they are doing and if they didn’t behave appropriately such as not lining up quietly with the other children when they had been asked a number of times then a sticker would be removed and a consequence to follow may help them to see that bad behaviour doesn’t get them anywhere and that good behaviour such as putting something away in the correct place when asked would get them a sticker and a reward or once they have a certain amount of stickers they get a reward.

Also making sure lessons are prepared and set up ready for the children coming into the classroom would also prevent any problems. Children don’t want to come in and then sit and wait for ages whilst the teacher and teaching assistant are setting up books, toys and paints on tables. They will get bored, lose interest and then be disruptive and not at all focused for the lesson ahead. This will stop any problems occurring throughout the lesson.

If I thought a child may be being bullied, or any signs to show that they are being bullied I would report it straight away to a teacher or another member or staff if the teacher was not around. It would need to be acted upon and followed through to stop it happening again. Possibly have a lesson or a talk with the class to inform them there has been bullying and that it has now been resolved and it won’t be tolerated at all and that if anyone see’s another child being bullied to report it straight away to a member or staff.

Also if it continues to happen, further steps may need to be taken in order to put a stop to it. Sit and talk to the child who has been bullied and also the one who was the bully individually and try to resolve it as quickly as possible and to prevent it happening again.

I would also make sure I was approachable so that if any of the children needed to talk to me, then they could have confidence in doing and that the teachers and staff would then support and protect the child from any further bullying.

Describe how you might appropriately observe the physical abilities and skills of a nine year old boy.

If I was going to observe a nine year old boy, I would firstly make sure that I carried this out as unobtrusively as possible so I could then observe the pupils normal behaviour and record my observations. I should also make sure I know exactly what I am meant to be observing so that myself and the teacher can make the most out of my findings and use them properly.

I would make sure discretion was key at all times as most 9 year olds don’t want to know that you are watching them. I would always get the teachers permission to do so. I would watch their posture, see how they sit in a chair and how they stand on their feet. Looking out for anything that could be a physical difficulty maybe. I think for an observation of their physical abilities and skills the best time to observe would be during a PE lesson where they will be using the whole of their body and possibly some PE equipment.

I would observe their body movement to see if their bodies worked in the same was as an adults would or is it more awkward.

I could also observe in the classroom and watch how he holds a pair of scissors, how he cuts with them, how he draws too. All of this is very important as physical development is closely associated with becoming independent.