Unit 210

1.1
Describe how a learning support practitioner may contribute to the planning, delivering and review of learning activities.
I contribute to planning by giving verbal and written feedback as well as going through children’s books to see how well the children have done on an activity. All the information that is fed back helps the teacher plan things for the next lesson helping them to get the correct pitch. I contribute to delivering the lesson by making sure I have read and understood the lesson plans, whilst having all the equipment available beforehand. Through close working relationships we have developed verbal and non verbal communication skills that enables us to work together to deliver a lesson. I also deliver support to whole class activities, small groups and individuals on a 1:1 basis. I contribute to the review of learning activities by being hands on and suggesting and putting forward my own ideas.

1.2
Identify own strengths and weaknesses in relation to supporting learning activities and how these may impact on the support that can be provided. Strengths Weaknesses

Being positive Confidence
Enthusiastic Loud
Help where needed Resources on larger scale/outside classroom
Approachable Own maths and literacy
Contribute
Can find class resources
Recognise which children need support
Step in for teacher if needed
I feel that my strengths impact on the support that I can provide in a positive way because I am a positive and enthusiastic person. I find this usually encourages the children to approach their work and be this way themselves. Being approachable will encourage them to come to me if they need help which in turn will make their day run in a ‘happy’ manner; learning it is fine to have help when they need it. My positive relationships with my teachers and colleagues and the contributions I make in class will reinforce the children’s relationships with me. Finding resources means I can work efficiently and engage with the children ensuring they are straight on task. By recognising the children that need support I can make sure they get the best from the lesson.
I feel that my weaknesses impact on the support that I can provide in a negative way because the volume of my voice can distract children from the teacher and children in other group situations. My own self confidence with maths and literacy can affect my ability to deliver a lesson effectively, which can confuse the children and undermine their confidence. I need to familiarise myself with resources on a larger scale, outside of the classroom, so that the children can get the best resources when needed rather than substitutes.

1.3
Identify and agree with the teacher the opportunities for using information and communication technology to support learning.
I have agreed with my teacher that the opportunities for using ICT are: In maths and literacy lessons using Education city, doing research with individuals on a computer as well as looking for resources.

3.4
Describe the sorts of problems that might occur when supporting learning activities and how to deal with them.

Child / Children not wanting to participate
Lack of child motivation/tired
Lack of interest
To easy / difficult (challenged children)
Group dynamics
The objectives of the task
The lack of time given for the task
The communication of the task

How to deal with above:

• Know the children in the group and their possible strengths and weaknesses.
• Keeping to lesson plans and staying on target.
• Putting thought, consideration and differentiating the plan, adapting methods to make it easier / harder for children that are challenged.
• Keeping the children motivated and interested in the actual learning activity. Being able to restructure the activity for children not wanting to participate, changing it to group work, and making it fun.
• Being accurate on the communication of the task so that everyone fully understands their involvement and if necessary simplifying the information even further.
• Praising and informing children whilst doing the task, ensuring that you have the correct time scale to complete the task involved so the children feel they have achieved a goal.
• Always make a little extra time for challenged children and having extra resources for higher ability children so they do not get bored.
• Apply a range of behavioural strategies even though sometimes the first strategy may not always work.

5.1
Describe the importance of evaluating learning activities.
Assessing children levels, using verbal and written feed back is extremely important as this helps the teachers with future planning, so they know where to plan next. Mrs K and I share a Read Write Inc group. Mrs K has them 3 times a week and I take them twice a week. We teach the children on different days therefore feedback and verbal communication is essential for the future planning and delivery of the sessions.
6.1
Identify ways in which your own knowledge, understanding and skills in literacy, numeracy and ICT impact on practice.

I have identified that using lesson plans is the best way to be as prepared as possible, asking any questions as they arise. Where I am not very confident in my own maths and literacy, I know what support children need and what to look out for. Communication is the key to everything. I have advised a child to use a dictionary as I was unsure of my own spelling. I am very confident using a computer as I have a NVQ 2 in Business Administration.
6.2
Identify opportunities to improve your own knowledge, understanding and skills in literacy, numeracy and
ICT.

I have identified opportunities improve by completing courses for a Midday Supervisor, Health and safety, First Aid, Food Hygiene and child protection. Inset days will help me by giving me time to plan with other colleagues. Starting a TA course to better my career, attending college and chatting with other colleagues can help me complete it. The fact that I have struggled with education gives me empathy and helps me understand problems.

3.4
Examples
ES, MK and MDA found a maths activity too easy to too. Asking the children to work together I adapted the activity by - seeing how far up the 10 x tables they could go and using cubes to help them.

JS didn’t want to take part in a literacy activity, He stated that “he didn’t want to and that he was tired”. I tried to encourage him to take part by offering him help and talking through his ideas, he managed to write one sentence but continued to disrupt the other children. I told him that if he didn’t finish what we had agreed then he would have to stop in at play time to complete it. Unfortunately he stopped in at play time.

I took a maths activity and half way through it; found out, that I was prepared enough. I didn’t have the relevant resources available as I could find them. This disrupted the children learning because I had to go and find equipment. I need to extra time in the morning beforehand so that I can get everything ready.

6.2
I have identified opportunities to improve by completing courses for a Midday Supervisor, Health and safety, First Aid, Food Hygiene and child protection. Inset days will help me by giving me time to plan with other colleagues. Starting a TA course to better my career, attending college and chatting with other colleagues can help me complete it. The fact that I have struggled with education gives me empathy and helps me understand problems. I have always struggled with maths and literacy and could maybe take an evening refresher course to improve on these. With the help of my tutor C, and G in the special needs department, I am have opted for some tests to be done to see if I have any dyslexic tendencies.