Criteria 6 Conceptualise, plan and implement an appropriate learning programme

Conceptualise, plan and implement an appropriate learning programme

Indicators:

·          Articulate clearly the aims of their teaching, give sound professional reasons for adopting these aims, and implement them in their practice

·         Through their planning and teaching, demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of relevant content, disciplines and curriculum documents

What do I take into account when planning programmes of work for groups and individuals?

Reflective Statement:

·        Ability and needs based planning

·        Curriculum and national standard based planning

·        Consistent and relevant learning tasks

·        Creating success criteria and objectives collectively

·        Use a range of resources to suit learning abilities

·        Professional readings to assist knowledge and understanding

·        Better understanding of learning progressions and next step teaching

·        Up to date marking of work books

Aims of my teaching and my professional reasons

• To create activities that stimulate and interest students

 Not all students learn in the same way so as a teacher it is my responsibility to  ensure all students are engaged in their learning. There are many published readings that refer to the fact that students who are interested and actively engaged in activities learn and gain more. So I endeavour to create learning programmes that cater for all the various learning needs of my students. By choosing stimulating reading books and writing topics students can enjoy learning. I also get students involved in the decision making process when it comes to selecting genres for writing or our inquiry learning. This assists in students interest in topics. I constantly think about and consider my students interests and abilities when planning and creating learning programmes so I get the best out of my students.

• For students to achieve and value success

       It is my greatest reward to see and be part of students successes. I take huge satisfaction in  witnessing the learning and wellbeing progressions of my students. It is my responsibility to ensure students value success and achievement for themselves and their peers both with learning and life. If children enjoy school and enjoy learning they will be successful in varied ways. Be it moving up reading levels or learning to spell a new word or by getting involved in a sporting event. Obviously success can be measured in different ways so it is important to acknowledge this for students.

I enjoy sharing my successes and achievements with students and discussing how I did it so they can get a better understanding of steps to take and techniques to reach their goals and more importantly why it is important to be successful. 

Within my practice I endeavour to display targets and goals and consistently inform students of their progress and targets.

• For students to develop important life skills

Teachers are obviously more than just teachers. Within our profession we wear many different hats depending on the situation or the students. When different situations arise or when I feel the need is appropriate I think it is important to discuss and inquiry about life skills - my perspective of this is life outside the classroom. I like to relate current events, topics or incidents that occur in the classroom to real life issues to help prepare and inform students.

• Students to enjoy school and have fun learning

I like to think that my personality and positivity in conjunction with my professionalism makes for a fun learning environment. It is critical that students enjoy coming to school, learning and have fun. If they are enjoying themselves they will benefit more from the learning programme and life of a school. My daily programme is pretty consistent so students know what is being taught when. So I try to make sure on a daily basis that the lessons are varied to add interest by using the interactive whiteboard, or whiteboard or using visual aids. Students have a range of ways to learn so I try to use different tools to cater for this. Visual, hands on or interactive learning are some techniques.

It can be difficult creating programmes that are fun for all students but that's the challenge.

• To continually reflect and  improve in my practice

This is an aspect of my teaching practice that I continually do. I am constantly reflecting on my practise and analysing my teaching both good and bad. I am my own worst critic and hate letting myself down, my students and my peers. I am a strong believer in 'tomorrow is a new day' and 'getting up every time we fall.' So if I feel I have not given my best I reflect, make changes and move on.

I would like to do more professional development in terms of management and becoming a leader. This is an aspect of my teaching I feel I need more assistance with.