Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Task 2
Jillian Berchtenbreiter
211 310 272
Page | 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1: Professional Identity .............................................................................................................. 3
Section 2: Planning and teaching ............................................................................................................ 7
2.1 2.2 Planning & Teaching ................................................................................................................ 7
Section 3: Teaching students and Supporting Learning ........................................................................ 25
Section 4: Assessing Student Learning .................................................................................................. 27
Section 5: Reflecting on Teaching and Learning ................................................................................... 35
Section 6: Appendices & reference List ................................................................................................ 37
Reference List .................................................................................................................................... 37
Appendix 1: School Context .............................................................................................................. 37
Table 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 37
Appendix 2: My Class ........................................................................................................................ 38
Table 2: My Class ........................................................................................................................... 38
Appendix 3: Task 1 ............................................................................................................................ 38
Critical Incident: .................................................................................................................................... 38
Date: Thursday 16
th
May 2013: Year 9 & 10 Physical Education .................................................. 38
Action Taken: .................................................................................................................................... 38
Introduction to the theory ............................................................................................................ 38
Classroom management and the Dilemma .................................................................................. 39
How i could have handled it better............................................................................................... 40
Critical Reflection .......................................................................................................................... 41
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 41
Assignment 1: Appendix 1: Journal ............................................................................................... 42
References .................................................................................................................................... 43
Appendix 4: Assessment. .................................................................................................................. 44
Table 3: Assessment Task Criteria ................................................................................................. 44
Table 4: Whole Class Assessment ................................................................................................. 44
Appendix 5: Journal .......................................................................................................................... 45
Year 7 Mathematics .............................................................................................................................. 45
Year 7 PE ............................................................................................................................................... 46
Year 8 PE ............................................................................................................................................... 47
Year 8 Health ......................................................................................................................................... 48
Year 9 PE ............................................................................................................................................... 49
Year 10 PE ............................................................................................................................................. 50
Year 11 Health ....................................................................................................................................... 51
Year 12 VCE PE ...................................................................................................................................... 52
Page | 3
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY
Image 1: Developing a Person
As a teacher I endeavour to not only create a knowledgeable student, but also develop the individual
as a person to assist within their community and develop and continuously learn throughout their
lifetime.
6. Engage in professional learning
6.1 Identify and plan professional learning needs
Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for
Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
6.4 Apply professional learning and improve student learning
Demonstrate an understanding of the rationale for continued professional learning and
the implications for improved student learning.
7. Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community
7.4 Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities
Understand the role of external professionals and community representatives in
broadening teachers professional knowledge and practice.
Page | 4
Image 2: Building Teamwork
As a teacher I promote productive classroom discussion and class co-operation. This teamwork not
only benefits me as an educator but also within teaching departments where it is essential to work
together to benefit students.
Image 3: Student-Teacher relationships
This a big focus. I feel the more approachable I am, the more at ease students will be in saying that
they do not understand the content. I am conscious that my professionalism comes first, but
creating that balance is essential to me.
Page | 5
Image 4: Challenging Students
Students should always be challenged and kept engaged within and outside of the classroom. This
can be achieved by innovative and continual support from technologies and the educator.
Image 5: Continual Development
I am a person of change, teaching methods and resources should be ever changing. No only should
they be tinkered to suit the class, they should be improved, modified and reflected upon for the
benefit of future years.
Page | 6
1.2 COMMENTRY OF PHOTOS: TEACHER I DENTI TY
Throughout my professional experience there have been many different opportunities to develop
students as individuals and as students. As I have the opportunity to get to know students in physical
education department and within the classroom through mathematics and health classes. I feel
having a variety of experiences with students is beneficial to myself as an educator as the students
feel more comfortable to discuss issues with school work and is also in assistive in building a
productive rapport (Image 3).
Not only do I as an educator want to scaffold students academic learning I would also like to work
with students to become positive influences on the society and within their community. I have to
opportunity to develop individuals with Leadership skills, positive morals and values, individuals
whom have a passion for learning and a passion for an active lifestyle (image 1).
From research and student feedback it seems that school students feel more productive in an
environment where they are comfortable to be a part of. Therefore many tasks which I have set in
the past allow students to collaborate ideas and respond to questions posed by myself or by a team
mate. Building a productive for students to be a part of is of upmost importance as an educator
(Image 2).
To ensure a productive environment is created students need to be challenged and whilst also
having a positive attitude towards learning. Both image 4 and 5 are interrelated. An educators
resources need to be consistently kept up to date and reflected upon to ensure this resource is
effective within the classroom. For these resources to be effective students understanding also
needs to be challenged to ensure for continual development.
The final image is in relation to student learning and assessment. As the students grow and develop
in age so does their learning. Students should undertake continual effective assessment to ensure
they know what areas as individuals
they need. I feel Blooms Taxonomy
is fantastic pyramid to reflect this
learning off.
Page | 7
SECTION 2: PLANNING AND TEACHING
2.1 2.2 PLANNING & TEACHING
Mathematics is a core discipline throughout Foundation to Year 10 in the Australian Curriculum. The
mathematics domain consists of specific content descriptors such as: Number & Algebra,
Measurement & Geometry and Statistics & Probability.
The following sequence of lessons places a focus on content descriptor of Number & Algebra with a
key focus on Patterns & Algebra and Linear & Non Linear Relationships at the year seven level with
some year eight challenge questions incorporated throughout. Throughout the eight lessons
students will create and evaluate algebraic expressions, expanding and simplifying operations, apply
substitution and extend and apply laws of arithmetic expressions.
Within this lesson sequence students should have the opportunity to gain a reasoned understanding
in the Number and Algebra focus area. Each individual should be able to successfully expand and
simplify like terms. Students need to have a sound understanding of this topic for their end of unit
test, further years of maths study and also in their everyday lives.
Algebra is about generalised mathematical thinking arising from seeing patterns an relationships. It
is about expressing those patterns in words, symbols, diagrams and graphs, and interpreting what is
observed. The important patterns are those that are not just particular to one situation, but are
generalisations that apply to many different situations that have underlying similarities (Cooke,
2007). This concept seemed to confuse those students who were not capable of expressing numbers
as letters, therefore the pedagogy used to explain this to students needed to be adjusted to suit the
students.
1 Know students and how the learn
1.1 Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical, social and intellectual
development and characteristics of students and how these may affect learning.
1.2 Understand how students learn
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research into how students learn and the
implications for teaching.
2 Know the content and how to teach it
2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of
the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
2.2 Content selection and organisation
Organise content into an effective learning and teaching sequence.
2.3 Curriculum, assessment and reporting
Use curriculum, assessment and reporting knowledge to design learning sequences and
lesson plans.
Page | 8
I have ensured throughout this sequence to cater for students of all learning abilities. Students in
Australian classrooms have multiple, diverse and changing needs that are shaped by individual
learning histories and abilities as well as cultural language backgrounds and socio-economic factors
(AusVELS, 2014). As I have observed within this school there numerous students who have come
from china to attend school. This has created an added pressure on the teachers and myself as these
students work very hard to attain the best outcomes, however, are not strong in speaking the
English language and are often therefore an added challenge to the teachers.
Students within the classroom are often trying to develop their own social identity. Students who
form their own identity find their sense of belongingness in the classroom are often the more
motivated students in the classroom and are therefore the ones who have a greater academic
achievement (Wentzel, 1999). Wentzel continues to specify that the lower achieving students often
have non-task related goals and tend to focus more other types of social goals such as having fun in
class and creating and retaining friendships. Having an understanding of this I ensured each student
had the opportunity to contribute to class discussion however, I also had an understanding of the
ethos and academic achievement focus of the school and tried to covert these students who had a
social goal of achieving friendships by altering the seating plan to ensure students with cognitive
social goals were sitting next to those who were more friendship driven. This seem effective within
the class as then meant that students were balancing each others strengths, this then made for
more cohesive in class discussion.
Tracking or streaming classes is a strong force of discussion and was a topic in interest in this
planning of this sequence of lessons. there is now growing awareness that being placed in lower
achieving groups may actually enhance aspects of students (Trautwein et. al. 2006) motivation, such
as domain-specific self-concept researchers argue that students tend to use their peers in the class
or school as a reference group to form their self-view.
Mathematics in year 7 at Camberwell Girls Grammar School is not streamed into ability levels the
class I taught had a vast range of understanding and ability. This posed a large challenge for myself
to keep all students engaged throughout each of the lessons.
After my first lesson I noted those students who were able to easily understand certain topics and
those students whom were going to need more assistance when moving through areas of focus.
From this I created a booklet of extension worksheets which was given to each student at the start
of the topic. This ensured the students whom finished early were able to move on with these, and if
other students wanted some extra work from home, they also had this option. This was effective for
my period of time with these students as I was able to further explain particular components to
those students who were a little slower in their understanding and the fast students knew what to
continue working on.
Page | 9
CGGS- YEAR 7- ALGEBRA OUTLINE
Monday 11
th
August Day 6 Period 1 Equations what is equivalence?
Number Sentences Ex 7.1
Tuesday 12
th
August Day 7 Periods 1 and 2 Intro to Equations Ex 7.2 and Manga High
Wednesday 13
th
August Day 8 No Class No Class
Thursday 14
th
August Day 9 Period 6 Equations using backtracking Ex 7.3
Friday 15
th
August Day 10 Period 2 Equations using the balance method Ex 7.4
Monday 18
th
August Day 1 Period 3 Solving problems with equations Ex 7.5
Tuesday 19
th
August Day 2 Period 1 Catch up lesson
Wednesday 20
th
August Day 3 Periods 6 and 7 Revision of Algebra and Equations
Thursday 21
st
August Day 4 No Class No Class
Friday 22
nd
August Day 5 Period 3 Revision of Algebra and Equations
Monday 25
th
August Day 6 Period 1 Test on Algebra and Equations Ch 5 and 7
Tuesday 26
th
August Day 7 Periods 1 and 2 Activity
Wednesday 27
th
August Day 8 No Class No Class
Thursday 28
th
August Day 9 Period 6 Cartesian Plane or Measurement
Friday 29
th
August Day 10 Period 2 Cartesian Plane or Measurement
Monday 1
st
Sept Day 1 Period 3 Cartesian Plane or Measurement
Tuesday 2
nd
Sept Day 2 Period 1 Cartesian Plane or Measurement
Wednesday 3
rd
Sept Day 3 Periods 6 and 7 Cartesian Plane or Measurement
Thursday 4
th
Sept Day 4 No Class No Class
Friday 5
th
Sept Day 5 Period 3 Cartesian Plane or Measurement
Page | 10
7W- MATHEMATICS
ALGEBRA- LESSON 1
Lesson number
1
Duration of Lesson
45 mins
Class Size
22
Level
7
Topic: Linear Equations
Focus: Number Sentences
Learning Objective/s:
- Gain an understanding of balancing equations eg. LHS= RHS
- What is an equation?
- What do the symbols mean? > < = or greater than or equal to
Assessment criteria and method of evaluation
Textbook Assessment criteria Evidence
Chapter 7 7.1
Questions 1-3: LHS
4, 6, 9 & 10
Stage/Time Tasks Teacher Action
Stage 1
Introduction
5-10
Mark the Roll
Hand out & explain work booklets.
Today in the caf, I asked for change for my $5 note.
- What might they have given me?
- How might I write this down?
If they gave me $5=2+2+1+1
- What might be wrong here?
- Too much- how do I write that? 5<6
** Explain the symbols
$5= 2+2+1
5=5
I will have
5=6
Stage 2
Body
10-15
Questions:
If I had:
a. 6+?=17
6+11=17
b. 5+?=9
5+4=9
c. 23+?=41
23+18=41
Re write the following to balance the equation:
a. 7+4=15
Students have the ability to
work as a class to gain
confidence in their answers
prior to working on their
own.
Giving students a real world
understanding of the
application which algebra can
take everyday.
Page | 11
=11 < 15
= 7+8 = 15
b. 8 +6 = 20
= 14< 20
= 8 + 12 = 20
c. 2* 8 3 = 11
= 13> 11
= 2 * 7 3 =11
d. 24/4 *2 = 18
= 12< 18
= 24/4 *3= 18
Stage 3
Conclusion
Exercise 7.1
Q1 LHS
Q2 LHS&RHS
Q3
Q4- Be cautious how to re write the questions
Forty three added to five is equal to forty-eight= 5+43 = 48
b. 3*7= 19+2 c. 50/5= 5*2 d. 20- (6+8) =12/2
Q6-10
Stage 4
Closure
Homework: finish off this chapter
Resources BOB pg 662
Pearson Mathematics- Chapter 7
Students work on their own
to gain self-confidence and
have the opportunity to ask
questions.
Page | 12
7W- MATHEMATICS
ALGEBRA- LESSON 2
Lesson number
2
Duration of Lesson
90 mins
Class Size
22
Level
7
Topic: Linear Equations
Focus: Introducing Equations & Solving Equations using backtracking
Learning Objective/s:
- Substitution
- Definitions- Pronumeral, Unknown, Substitution,
- Checking your answers (Backtracking)
Assessment criteria and method of evaluation
Textbook Assessment criteria Evidence
Chapter 7 7.2
7.3 Quiz
Race around the track
Stage/Time Tasks Teacher Action
Stage 1
Introduction
5 mins
Define:
Coefficient: The number written infront of a pronumeral
Equation: Two expressions either side of an equals sign
Pronumeral: A letter or symbol representing a number
Substitution: to replace a pronumeral with a number
Unknown: A number that is not known
Term: Parts of an algebraic expression that are added or
subtracted to make up the expression, consisting of one or
more pronumerals multiplied together
Constant: A number by itself is a constant.
Eg1.
This is an equation because it has an equals sign
x, y, z are the pronumerals
3 is a coefficient of xy and -7 is the coefficient of z
2
3xy, -7z
2
, 5, 16, x are all terms
5 and 16 are constants
These are common terms
used in algebra lessons
students need to have a
sound understanding of
these before moving on.
Page | 13
Eg. 2.
What is the constant?
What are the co efficient?
What are the pronumerals?
Is this an equation?
What are the terms?
Stage 2
Body
Introducing Equations: Solving by inspection
Does the Bracket value make the statement true?
(x=5)
b) (m=9)
LHS=RHS
c) (a=30)
Solving Equations using backtracking
*****
Stage 3
Conclusion
7.2
Q1 LHS
Q2 1
st
two columns
Q3
7.3
Q1
Q2
Stage 4
Closure
If finished:
Manga High
Algebra worksheets.
Boardgame
Resources
Activities for those early finishes to
continue with.
For those who wished to be further
challenged I had some extra challenge
sheets and some individuals I gave the
option of a fun activity.
Page | 14
7W- MATHEMATICS
ALGEBRA- LESSON 3
Lesson number
3
Duration of Lesson
45 mins
Class Size
22
Level
7
Topic: Linear Equations
Focus: Worded Problems
Learning Objective/s:
- Solving problems with equations
Assessment criteria and method of evaluation
Textbook Assessment criteria Evidence
Chp 7.5 Working towards a quiz Workings
Responses to prompts
Stage/Time Tasks Teacher Action
Stage 1
Introduction
15
Mark Roll
What did we do last lesson
Formative Assessment:
Number Tree Game
Stage 2
Body
10
Worded Example Questions:
Phil has 70 cents. He buys a pear and has 25 cents remaining.
If x represents the cost of a pear, form an equation and solve it
to find the cost of the pear.
Focus Questioning:
1. What are the key
words
2. How do we go
about solving this?
3. What is our
unknown?
Erica has bought 2 movie tickets and one bucket of popcorn
for a total of $21. If the popcorn costs $5, how much does one
movie ticket cost? Let t =equals the cost of the movie ticket.
Lets assume both tickets are the same price.
Number Tree Activity
Stage 3
Conclusion
Work through 7.5
Ask questions
Stage 4
Closure
Home work will be what they are yet to finish.
Resources
Students here were explain
how to work through
lengthy worded questions
and find what it actually
looking for.
Focus questions for
students to follow each
time a worded question
is presented.
Page | 15
Number Tree
To ____________________ an expression you ______________________ the value of the
unknown into the ___________________.
(Remember: in number you multiply before you add, so in algebra you multiply before you
add.)
Play substitution four in a line with a partner.
Game 1
Choose one of the numbers on the ladder by the tree and substitute it into the expression of
your choice from the tree. If the answer is on the board and not already claimed, you win that
rectangle. The first person to get 5 in a row is the winner.
Game 2
Throw a dice marked 1 to 6 and substitute that number into the expression in the tree. If the
answer is on the board and not already claimed, you win that rectangle. The first person to
get 4 in a row is the winner.
substitute expression evaluate
Page | 16
Substitution Four in a line
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1
0 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19
A game presented at the start of the
lesson which required students to get
out of their chairs on a Friday
afternoon and refresh their algebra
skills
Page | 17
7W- MATHEMATICS
ALGEBRA- LESSON 4
Lesson number
4
Duration of Lesson
45 mins
Class Size
22
Level
7
Topic: Linear Equations
Focus: Checking for understanding
Learning Objective/s:
- Students have a sound understanding of topics which have been covered across the week.
- Formative Assessment
Assessment criteria and method of evaluation
Textbook Assessment criteria Evidence
Chapters 7.1-7.5 Quiz Formative Assessment
Stage/Time Tasks Teacher Action
Stage 1
Introduction
9.35am
Mark Roll
Students to move tables into test conditions.
Explain process of the quiz.
Stage 2
Body
Quiz is handed out.
Have answer sheet ready ensuring an ability to answer
questions.
Checking students on
task.
Stage 3
Conclusion
Algebra Line Activity- if students finish early.
Noting the pace
students are moving
through.
Stage 4
Closure
10.20
Where students tend to
be stumped.
Resources Quiz Sheet
Algebra line activity
Formative assessment check where
the next week of lessons needs to be
focused prior to students being
tested.
Page | 18
7W- MATHEMATICS
ALGEBRA- LESSON 5
Lesson number
5
Duration of Lesson
45 mins
Class Size
22
Level
7
Topic: Linear Equations
Focus: Checking for understanding (catch up lesson)
Learning Objective/s:
- Students reflection of quiz results
Assessment criteria and method of evaluation
Textbook Assessment criteria Evidence
Chapters 7.1-7.5 Quiz review An understanding has been shown
Year 8 Math book Chapter 4 Students ability to move through
at their own pace.
Stage/Time Tasks Teacher Action
Stage 1
Introduction
10.50am
Mark roll
Refresh memory from last lesson
Explain how the quiz went
Explain to Katie number 7.2 Q8
10 b. 4 c.11
Stage 2
Body
15
Quiz is given back to students.
Students work through answers to those where most students
struggled an talk through the thought process.
Showing certain
questions on the board.
10 Students are asked to complete any unfinished work from last
week.
Work through with students who may find difficulty
Stage 3
Conclusion
10
11.35am
Activity: Loop Card Game
Like terms!
Stage 4
Closure
Homework from the homework book.
Resources Secondary Mathematics Units- Activity.
One of the students asked a
question which I was unable
to answer. This was a
reminder to explain this to
her.
No student had finished off
all requested work. This was
a lesson for me to move
around and assist all
students.
Page | 19
7W- MATHEMATICS
ALGEBRA- LESSON 6
Lesson number
6
Duration of Lesson
45 mins
Class Size
22
Level
7
Topic: Linear Equations
Focus: Collaboration lesson
Learning Objective/s:
- Students to gain confidence in Linear Algebra.
- Three key things to think about
- Working on creating a chant routine and know what to look for.
Assessment criteria and method of evaluation
Textbook Assessment criteria Evidence
Pg 412- 413 Ability to complete the
puzzle
Show workings
Probing Questions Ability to Answer
Stage/Time Tasks Teacher Action
Stage 1
Introduction
10.50am
Mark Roll
Last lesson revision
15mins Introductory questions.
Examples found on the
worksheet.
1. 3(m+2)
3m+6
2. 3m(m+2)
3m
2
+6
3. 3(m+2) (m-4)
3m+6 m+4
Let m=2
3(m+2)
3(2+2)
6 + 6
= 12
Three things to think
about:
SADMOB
Last Thing
How they were joined
Furthest from x
Stage 2
Body
30mins
Activity: The case of confusing clues house
Explanation of how to do this
- Complete practice questions and then travel through
the maze.
CHANT:
What is the unknown?
What is joined to it?
How is it joined?
How do I undo that?
Stage 3
Conclusion
Early finishes continue with worksheets
Stage 4 What was covered today?
Students were able to go
through these examples
and find areas of focus to
work on throughout the
activity.
This chant was fantastic,
and I really should have
placed more focus on this
as students were able to
use this in their test.
Page | 20
Closure What is the Chant?
Resources
7W- MATHEMATICS
ALGEBRA- LESSON 7
Lesson number
7
Duration of Lesson
45 mins
Class Size
22
Level
7
Topic: Linear Equations
Focus: Revision for Test
Learning Objective/s:
- Students should have a solid understanding of the content for the test.
- Ensure they ask questions
- In-still the chant
Assessment criteria and method of evaluation
Textbook Assessment criteria Evidence
Chap 5 & 7 Review Mondays Test
Stage/Time Tasks Teacher Action
Stage 1
Introduction
Test on Monday
22/08/14
ALGEBRA REVISION
Stage 2
Body
Simplify the following:
3f + f= 4f
11y+5y- y= 15y
-6p + 7t + 3p +t = -3p +8t
Expand and simplify:
7(t 3)= 7t-21
2(t+3) -(t+2)
= 2t+6-t-2
= t-4
What is the
unknown?
What is joined to it?
How is it joined?
How do I undo that?
Placed greater focus on this
chant whilst working
through the revision
questions.
Page | 21
7p(5q-3) +2q(3-8p)
=35pq-21p+6q-16pq
=19pq-21p+6q
If m= 3 and n= -2, Solve the following
2(3m n)
= 2(3*3- -2)
= 2( 9 +2)
= 18+4
= 22
2m+n/5
2*3 + - 2/5
= 4/5
6m-n/4
= 6*3- - 2/4
= 18+2/4
= 20/4
= 5
Jan sent 45 texts from her phone over the last month. Each
text is 0.50cents each.
What is the total cost for the text over the month?
45*.05
= $22.5
If Jans phone bill came to a total of $105.5, how much did Jan
spend on phone calls? Let x equal the amount spent on phone
calls.
X= 105.5 22.5
X= $83
Pete has b blue pens and r red pens. Sue has three times as
many blue pens as Pete. She has two fewer red ones than
Pete.
These questions were
placed on a revision sheet
to allow students to work
through in their own time.
Page | 22
a) Write an expression to show this information
b+r
b) Is Pete has 16 pens to start with, write this in an
equation.
b+r = 16
c) Write an expression to say how many blue pens Sue
has
3b
d) Write an expression to say how many red pens Sue has
r-2
e) If Sue has 28 pens altogether, write this in an equation
3b+r-2 = 28
f) If Pete loses four of his pens, write this in an
expression showing how many Pete has now.
b+r- 4
Stage 3
Conclusion
Ask those students who havent started the practice test to
work from the back to the front.
Now is the time to ask questions.
Stage 4
Closure
Answering questions, One which was tricky to understand?
Resources
Page | 23
7W- MATHEMATICS
ALGEBRA- LESSON 8
Lesson number
8
Duration of Lesson
45 mins
Class Size
22
Level
7
Topic: Linear Equations
Focus: Summary Test
Learning Objective/s:
- Students complete summative assessment
Assessment criteria and method of evaluation
Textbook Assessment criteria Evidence
Summative Assessment Test Answers and workings
Stage/Time Tasks Teacher Action
Stage 1
Introduction
8.30
Students are given a detailed explanation as to what is required
from them during the test.
What they are to do if they are finished early- Stay seated
quietly
Tables are moved
Stage 2
Body
Time is written on the board
8.30
8.40
8.50
9.00
9.10
Student whom need to be assisted are.
Stage 3
Conclusion
Students will be notified of approximate return time of the
test.
Stage 4
Closure
9.15
Explanation for next lesson.
- Topic will move into Cartesian plane
- Bring 30cm ruler and pencils
Resources
Page | 24
2.2 TEACHING
AusVELS level 7 and 8 informed my teaching to ensure I was not only challenging my students, but
that I was also giving the students the required level of information which was required. Within in
this area of study I undertook a teacher directed pedagogy as this is a very important topic for
students future years to come. However, I did adapt an inquiry lesson when undertaking Cartesian
planes and also a co-operative model when students undertook their measurement unit which was
very exciting to see.
Page | 25
SECTION 3: TEACHING STUDENTS AND SUPPORTING LEARNING
Within each of my subject areas I have become less reliant on my lesson plans and started to focus
more on assessment procedures and independent learners. My critical incident which occurred late
in 2013 proved that at that time of my learning process I was unable defer from my planned lesson,
and did not know my students all that well.
Ryan, Gheen & Midgley, 1998, conducted research into why some students avoid asking for help. It
becomes rather apparent that those students with high self-efficacy are more than capable of asking
for assistance as they do not worry that others will attribute it to their lack in ability. However,
students with low self-efficacy think in direct contrast. I have learned the importance of making a
significant effort in learning students names and making that extra effort to gaining an insight into
their personalities and home life. Had I had the opportunity to gain an insight into the students of
interest in the critical incident, I may have been able to avoid his outburst in class.
Within this new classroom setting, I quickly learned all students names in the class and also
questioned my supervisor asking she thought there were any students which I needed to be weary
AITSL Standards
3 Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
3.1 Establish challenging learning goals
Set learning goals that provide achievable challenges for students of varying abilities and
characteristics.
3.2 Plan, structure and sequence learning programs
Plan lesson sequences using knowledge of student learning, content and effective
teaching strategies.
3.3 Use teaching strategies
Include a range of teaching strategies.
3.6 Evaluate and improve teaching programs
Demonstrate broad knowledge of strategies that can be used to evaluate teaching
programs to improve student learning.
4 Create and maintain and supportive and safe learning environments
4.1 Support student participation
Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom
activities.
4.2 Manage classroom activities
Demonstrate the capacity to organise classroom activities and provide clear directions.
4.3 Manage challenging behaviour
Demonstrate knowledge of practical approaches to manage challenging behaviour.
4.4 Maintain student safety
Describe strategies that support students wellbeing and safety working within school
and/or system, curriculum and legislative requirements.
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of their personal lives or prior class issues in this particular class. I quickly learned that one of the
girls in my class had her dad pass away from a severe and terrible cancer. Not only was the dads one
year anniversary during the time which I was going to teach this student, she also has two younger
siblings and her mum is still in serious grief, this places unnecessary stress on the student and could
lead to understandable but unexpected behaviour. This understanding allowed be to have more
patience with this individual and an extra willingness to spend more time with this student whilst
she was in the classroom. Not that I believe this individual should have extra special treatment,
however, having an understanding that she may be required to have added days away from school, I
was able to plan ahead and email through to her any class work which was missed.
I have very consciously built relationships with each individual students, working hard to remember
their names. Throughout this time, I have taken notes when individuals are away from class and
ensured that prior to the end of the day I have emailed them directly to their school inboxes, what
was undertaken in class that day.
I have also found it easier to adjust my classes to cater for differing ability, and this has become
more noticeable when undertaking assessment for students. When I have the ability, not to
necessarily grade work, but look through an individuals work it gives me a greater idea of how
students learn, what the individual has learned and where I can place a bigger focus on for the
following lessons.
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SECTION 4: ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING
THE AUSVELS:
Patterns and algebra
1. Introduce the concept of variables as a way of representing numbers using letters.
2. Create algebraic expressions and evaluate them by substituting a given value for each variable
3. Extend and apply the laws and properties of arithmetic to algebraic terms and expressions.
(AusVELS,, nd)
TYPE OF ASSESSEMENT:
There were both formative and summative forms of assessment which took place during the Algebra
area of study. A quick quiz was used to determine when my teaching needed to place focus on the
lead up towards the test. From these class quiz results, I was able to adjust my focus to worded
problems, expansion of brackets and multiplication and division.
CLASS PATTERNS ONE OUTCOME:
Students tended to perform fairly well throughout this test. One area where students found difficult
was the focus questions on simplification. Many more students tended to lose at least one, or two
marks from this question.
This was one of the simplification questions where students got confused.
The main issues were:
Students did not rebuild the question to make it look like this: