WEEK ONE - WB 04.09.13
The first week of the course has been an intensive experience, we have met our tutors, had our first science lesson - see pictures below, and most important we have been outlined the expectations of the course and what is required to be able to leave this course as a NQT in June 2014. Over the last few days I have met many different people and built up an extensive list of things to do ASAP. I am amazed at the amount of paperwork, handouts and audits I have collected these last few days and I am in the process of recycling my old university folders for my masters to organise my new P.G.C.E folders. Organisation is key and as there is the promise of a lot more work to come I think it is important for me to get organised early to keep on track of things over the course. I have also done something rather exciting and set up my own website and blog! (You are reading this blog post on my new website!) This is something that I have not thought above previously but I am excited at the prospect of being able to record my reflections (very important to reflect when teaching as I learnt this week) over the duration of my P.G.C.E as well showcase my developing skills in a variety of ICT skills and software.
During the first week I also had the opportunity to visit the Manchester Museum as part of the English course on the P.G.C.E. These are some photographs I took of intriguing artefacts I saw in the museum.
This visit highlighted to me the importance of giving children the opportunity to visit places such as museums, in order to really bring learning to life!
Week 2 - WB 10th September
The first maths lesson on the P.G.C.E course - which involved lots of singing, dancing and jumping around like a jelly bean! We got to experiment with different resources and learnt how these can be used in the classroom to enhance children's learning in maths.
Today I had the opportunity to make a parachute in my science lesson on forces!
I never knew forces could be such fun :)
I was keen to learn about the practical ways in which science can be taught in schools and how to make difficult subjects such as forces fun and engaging to learn.
20th SEPTEMBER 2013
I had my first DT lesson today and I was very excited to learn we would be making our own kites!
I first made a prototype of the shape and design I wanted my kite to be, the small purple kite in the picture. Using this, I made some modifications, such as a longer piece of string to make it fly and less tape as this made it heavy.
Following this evaluation I create my final piece, a Superman inspired kite, and found that this flew amazingly well and looked good!
This lesson was hugely beneficial as I was able to go through steps of the designing process as a child would and I was able to experience first how this would work in practice. I am excited about teaching DT and seeing the wonders that can be produced by children!
I first made a prototype of the shape and design I wanted my kite to be, the small purple kite in the picture. Using this, I made some modifications, such as a longer piece of string to make it fly and less tape as this made it heavy.
Following this evaluation I create my final piece, a Superman inspired kite, and found that this flew amazingly well and looked good!
This lesson was hugely beneficial as I was able to go through steps of the designing process as a child would and I was able to experience first how this would work in practice. I am excited about teaching DT and seeing the wonders that can be produced by children!
25th September 2013
As part of science I visited a primary school in inner-city Manchester and observed a science lesson. Two year 2 classes were in the hall and the lesson was about light and dark. The teacher presented the lesson on an interactive whiteboard and also made use of the iPad. I was able to observe the use of an app called Splashtop which enables the user to control their computer from a mobile device such as an iPad or iPod. The teacher used the iPad to let children select objects which are a source of light. Their selections made via the iPad were mirrored on the IWB.
I was intrigued by this app and I am keen to try in whilst on placement and carry on using it in my practice. There are many possibilities that are presented by this app as it enhances the children’s learning experience and helps the lesson to be interactive, without the time constraints which are concerned when you wait for a child to come up to the IWB, as these few minutes of waiting can lead to the children coming of task.
I was intrigued by this app and I am keen to try in whilst on placement and carry on using it in my practice. There are many possibilities that are presented by this app as it enhances the children’s learning experience and helps the lesson to be interactive, without the time constraints which are concerned when you wait for a child to come up to the IWB, as these few minutes of waiting can lead to the children coming of task.
26th September 2013 - First Aid
Today, I qualified as a First Aider and learnt about safety in the classroom and how to keep children safe. I also learnt the recovery position and how to give mouth to mouth if someone has stopped breathing. I also learnt about how to deal with eye injuries, cuts, bruises, asthma attacks, how to use a defibrillator and a range of other First Aid skills.
I found today a real eye opener as although I am aware of these aspects of First Aid, I was able to learn in depth the course of action to take for incidents and I was able to practise life-saving techniques. This is definitely a set of skills which be an asset to me in my future practice as a primary teacher.
I found today a real eye opener as although I am aware of these aspects of First Aid, I was able to learn in depth the course of action to take for incidents and I was able to practise life-saving techniques. This is definitely a set of skills which be an asset to me in my future practice as a primary teacher.
29th September 2013 - Presentation on Identity
Today I gave a presentation with my partner on identity and what this means in education. This helped me to reinforce my teamwork and collaboration skills, as well as ICT skills as we used Skype to discuss and practice our presentation.
We dressed up as stereotypes in order to create a hook for the audience and our presentation was based on readings around identity.
It was interesting to watch other people's presentations to observe their presentational style and to learn about the aspects of education they had researched.
We dressed up as stereotypes in order to create a hook for the audience and our presentation was based on readings around identity.
It was interesting to watch other people's presentations to observe their presentational style and to learn about the aspects of education they had researched.