REFLECTIVE COMMENTARIES
PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE:
Standard 1: Know students and how they learn
1.2 Understand how students learn
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I discuss students with my mentor teacher. I have planned a range of lessons that involve me first consulting with the teacher of the class in order to work out the abilities of each child in the class. During my placement in 2016 Semester 2, I was in a Grade 4 class with a full range of abilities in the classroom. The class ranged with high, middle and low level students, some with learning disabilities and one student who was blind. I spoke to my mentor and she explained to me about the learning abilities of each child and I was able to plan my lessons in order to cater for each student.
Artefact A - states that I have achieved a graduate level for understanding how student’s background and cultural identities influence their learning and understanding learner developmental characteristics and the effect of this on their learning.
Artefact E – states that I ‘asked for prior assessment documents which supported [my] planning’ and ‘targeted specific student needs.’
Assignment Artefact 1 – states that my assignment was ‘presented in an engaging way,’ that ‘the class responded well’ to our session and that we ‘responded to student diversity.’
Standard 2: Know the content and how to teach it
2.5 Literacy and numeracy strategies
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I plan my lessons. I have gained a great knowledge literacy and numeracy through my units at school.
Artefact B - I have shown knowledge links between content, concepts and pedagogy. I have shown knowledge of relevant curriculum documents (such as The Victorian Curriculum) and apply this knowledge to all of my lesson plans.
Artefact D - states that I have achieved a graduate level for ‘developing an awareness of a variety of teaching methods and AusVELS/ Australian Curriculum requirements.’ This shows that I know what these policies are and how to use them in my planning.
Assignment Artefact 2 - In my assignment comments, my university teacher stated that she particularly liked my findings about ability grouping, specifically girls working collaboratively with friends in mathematics lessons. This comment demonstrates my knowledge of and ability to implement effective numeracy strategies into the classroom.
2.6 Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I have incorporated ICT into my lesson plans. I believe that ICT is an important aspect to teach children as it is a necessary skill that all children need to know.
Artefact B - states that I have achieved a graduate level for using ICT to engage and motivate students. I demonstrated using a range of ICT whilst on placement.
Artefact D - states that I have achieved a graduate level for developing an awareness of a range of materials and teaching and learning approaches that meet the needs of students. Again, this shows how I have incorporated ICT into the classroom.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE:
Standard 3: Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
3.1 Establish challenging learning goals
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I incorporate the Victorian Curriculum into my lesson plans (Artefact F). I base my learning goals/objectives upon those present in the curriculum in order to make sure that children are learning the correct content and reaching set targets in their learning.
3.5 Use effective classroom communication
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I give clear concise directions to students and have clear expectations in the classroom. Referring back to the sections of my placement report, my mentor stated that ‘used a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.’ (Artefact F)
Standard 4: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
4.1 Support student participation
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I include engaging activities. Engaging activities increase participation as the students are excited and want to learn, therefore they are more likely to want to participate (Artefact J)
4.3 Manage challenging behaviour
I have demonstrated this teaching standard in the way that I managed my students during lessons. My mentor teacher stated in one of the placement reports that I ‘demonstrated confidence and initiative to address and help resolve any behavior concerns that arose.’ (Artefact G and I)
Standard 5: Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning
5.1 Assess student learning
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I assess and correct the work of my students. I encourage students to use working out in their work and I ensure to assess the methods that students have used to answer questions. This helps me to know whether they are learning content. In my placement report, it states that I achieved a graduate level by ‘utilising a range of assessment practices to support ongoing student learning.’ (Artefact H)
5.2 Provide feedback to students on their learning
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the feedback that I give to students. I make sure that I provide positive feedback as well as constructive feedback that helps students to learn from their mistakes. Again, this relates back to how I utilised ‘a range of assessment practices to support ongoing student learning’ (Artefact H).
PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT:
Standard 6: Engage in professional learning
6.1 Identify and plan professional learning needs
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I document all of my work samples, reflections, classroom experiences and assessment data (Artefact K). I can use this information to assess my learning so far and it can be discussed with my mentor teachers and university teachers in order to demonstrate the skills that I have gained. I have also sought professional development opportunities through after hours university seminars (Artefact K). On my placement report, my mentor mentions that I also took part in extra meetings and a professional development day.
6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through my discussions with my mentor teachers whilst on placement. In my placement report, it states that used my ‘initiative by asking relevant questions to further [my] knowledge and experience’ (Artefact N). I will endeavour to improve my skills into the future so that I can become the best teacher that I can.
Standard 7: Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/care givers and the community
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements
I have demonstrated this teaching standard as I comply with a range of policies including The Victorian Curriculum and policies set by the school. The report completed by my mentor teacher states that I am currently at a graduate level for this sub-strand as I showed evidence of this in my lesson plans (Artefact L).
Standard 1: Know students and how they learn
1.2 Understand how students learn
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I discuss students with my mentor teacher. I have planned a range of lessons that involve me first consulting with the teacher of the class in order to work out the abilities of each child in the class. During my placement in 2016 Semester 2, I was in a Grade 4 class with a full range of abilities in the classroom. The class ranged with high, middle and low level students, some with learning disabilities and one student who was blind. I spoke to my mentor and she explained to me about the learning abilities of each child and I was able to plan my lessons in order to cater for each student.
Artefact A - states that I have achieved a graduate level for understanding how student’s background and cultural identities influence their learning and understanding learner developmental characteristics and the effect of this on their learning.
Artefact E – states that I ‘asked for prior assessment documents which supported [my] planning’ and ‘targeted specific student needs.’
Assignment Artefact 1 – states that my assignment was ‘presented in an engaging way,’ that ‘the class responded well’ to our session and that we ‘responded to student diversity.’
Standard 2: Know the content and how to teach it
2.5 Literacy and numeracy strategies
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I plan my lessons. I have gained a great knowledge literacy and numeracy through my units at school.
Artefact B - I have shown knowledge links between content, concepts and pedagogy. I have shown knowledge of relevant curriculum documents (such as The Victorian Curriculum) and apply this knowledge to all of my lesson plans.
Artefact D - states that I have achieved a graduate level for ‘developing an awareness of a variety of teaching methods and AusVELS/ Australian Curriculum requirements.’ This shows that I know what these policies are and how to use them in my planning.
Assignment Artefact 2 - In my assignment comments, my university teacher stated that she particularly liked my findings about ability grouping, specifically girls working collaboratively with friends in mathematics lessons. This comment demonstrates my knowledge of and ability to implement effective numeracy strategies into the classroom.
2.6 Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I have incorporated ICT into my lesson plans. I believe that ICT is an important aspect to teach children as it is a necessary skill that all children need to know.
Artefact B - states that I have achieved a graduate level for using ICT to engage and motivate students. I demonstrated using a range of ICT whilst on placement.
Artefact D - states that I have achieved a graduate level for developing an awareness of a range of materials and teaching and learning approaches that meet the needs of students. Again, this shows how I have incorporated ICT into the classroom.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE:
Standard 3: Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
3.1 Establish challenging learning goals
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I incorporate the Victorian Curriculum into my lesson plans (Artefact F). I base my learning goals/objectives upon those present in the curriculum in order to make sure that children are learning the correct content and reaching set targets in their learning.
3.5 Use effective classroom communication
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I give clear concise directions to students and have clear expectations in the classroom. Referring back to the sections of my placement report, my mentor stated that ‘used a range of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies to support student engagement.’ (Artefact F)
Standard 4: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
4.1 Support student participation
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I include engaging activities. Engaging activities increase participation as the students are excited and want to learn, therefore they are more likely to want to participate (Artefact J)
4.3 Manage challenging behaviour
I have demonstrated this teaching standard in the way that I managed my students during lessons. My mentor teacher stated in one of the placement reports that I ‘demonstrated confidence and initiative to address and help resolve any behavior concerns that arose.’ (Artefact G and I)
Standard 5: Assess, provide feedback and report on student learning
5.1 Assess student learning
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I assess and correct the work of my students. I encourage students to use working out in their work and I ensure to assess the methods that students have used to answer questions. This helps me to know whether they are learning content. In my placement report, it states that I achieved a graduate level by ‘utilising a range of assessment practices to support ongoing student learning.’ (Artefact H)
5.2 Provide feedback to students on their learning
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the feedback that I give to students. I make sure that I provide positive feedback as well as constructive feedback that helps students to learn from their mistakes. Again, this relates back to how I utilised ‘a range of assessment practices to support ongoing student learning’ (Artefact H).
PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENT:
Standard 6: Engage in professional learning
6.1 Identify and plan professional learning needs
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through the way that I document all of my work samples, reflections, classroom experiences and assessment data (Artefact K). I can use this information to assess my learning so far and it can be discussed with my mentor teachers and university teachers in order to demonstrate the skills that I have gained. I have also sought professional development opportunities through after hours university seminars (Artefact K). On my placement report, my mentor mentions that I also took part in extra meetings and a professional development day.
6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice
I have demonstrated this teaching standard through my discussions with my mentor teachers whilst on placement. In my placement report, it states that used my ‘initiative by asking relevant questions to further [my] knowledge and experience’ (Artefact N). I will endeavour to improve my skills into the future so that I can become the best teacher that I can.
Standard 7: Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/care givers and the community
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements
I have demonstrated this teaching standard as I comply with a range of policies including The Victorian Curriculum and policies set by the school. The report completed by my mentor teacher states that I am currently at a graduate level for this sub-strand as I showed evidence of this in my lesson plans (Artefact L).