This essay closely reflects upon and evaluates two lessons taught within SE1. The school in which these lessons were taught is a primary academy, which size is larger than average. The majority of pupils are white British pupils but ethnic minorities are consistently increasing; the amount of EAL children is significantly high. Ofsted graded the behaviour within school to be outstanding. The class concerned is a year three class, in their summer term.
My SE1 targets include: To develop assessment techniques, to develop curriculum knowledge and to develop the ability to meet the needs of all pupils through differentiation (appendix 1). The two lessons which are going to be evaluated within this discussion includes a science appraised
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However, differentiation is very important in helping children to become motivated and reach their potential (Pollard, 2000) as children feel both sufficiently challenged yet are still able to complete the work set. Although this view is currently being questioned within current reports as a new set of pedagogy comes into place in some schools within mathematics entitled mastery, suggesting that differentiation is becoming obsolete in mathematics for those who follow this program, as it suggests the whole class to learn the same content at the same rate (NCETM, 2015).
The first lesson highlighted is a mathematics lesson taught within a streamed class, the lesson revolved around perimeter (appendix 2). Differentiation within this lesson was a weak area, although it was attempted. The dominant use of differentiation within this lesson was through choice, as shown in the mathematics plan (appendix 2) children were given a choice of two activities. They were able to choose which activity they felt they could do. This was inspired by research stating, “If students are given choice, they challenge themselves more than teachers do” (TES, 2012) this suggests that a higher level of challenge may be created for some children who were perhaps usually given the average ability group work could now challenge themselves if they felt confident. However, in practise many capable children were choosing to do the easier activity, the challenge created failed to motivate them,
When the practitioners are planning, they can also ensure that they involve all children no matter what the mathematical ability to allow group learning and supporting one another which Vygotsky (Richard Culatta, 2015) says is how children learn best. Practitioners should plan for an enabling environment that promotes maths by surrounding the children in mathematical concepts and language, to support emergent maths. Practitioners should praise children. Practitioners should support all children’s development to ensure children and school ready and they are developing their emergent
My first awareness of racial identity and diversity occurred when I was in Year 3. Having being raised acknowledging acceptance of people of racial or cultural difference my thoughts of children of colour were positive and impartial. However, one day a boy in my class of Sri Lankan descent got into trouble with another student, but only the Sri Lankan boy was asked to go to the principal’s office. During our lunch break he came over to a group of us and told us that he thought he was the one that got into trouble ‘because he was ‘black’’. I remember thinking to myself, ‘why would he get into trouble just because he was black?’ It was in fact that both boys
Children are now growing up in a time when the cultural and ethnic structure of our country is quickly changing and in some areas groups of people who were formally considered as the ‘ethnic’ minority make up the majority of the population.
As a teacher, it is important to know and understand the racial and cultural identities of both yourself, and your students. Knowing about your students’ backgrounds is a great way to make the classroom a safe and welcoming environment. Not all educational settings emit a feeling of safety to its students, and that needs to be changed. In this paper, I will discuss how my racial and cultural identity may be the same and may differ from my students, as well as some ways in which the institution of education can be changed to be more racially and culturally inclusive.
Van de Walle, J, Karp, K. S. & Bay-Williams, J. M. (2015). Elementary and Middle School Mathematics Teaching Developmentally. (9th ed.). England: Pearson Education Limited.
The story provided an excellent discussion of the many issues that surround race in schools, it centered on the topic about whether integrated schools were more beneficial than segregated schools. This book focuses on young children in the early grades, listening to parents and racial integration. The author wanted to find the truth that is surrounding multicultural classrooms from those that are involved in it. This book includes many side stories, which serve to explore the concepts, and displays them in a clear way; it also added depth to the book. This book was well written and shows all sides of multicultural education. It does not take one side in particular and it encourages people to explore multicultural education in a new light.
One possible cause of ethnic differences in education could be at the fault of the education system. To investigate this Sewell conducted a study using semi-structured interviews and observations in an inner-city boys’ comprehensive school, his study revealed the ways in which African-Caribbean students are labelled by their teachers, peers, white students as ‘problems’ in the classroom. Sewell showed how Black boys use these negative perceptions to construct
Mathematical activities at Ysgol Dolafon are delivered in accordance with pupil’s individual needs and great deal of emphasis is given to continuity of learning. Ample opportunity is provided for pupils to discuss their understanding of concepts as they progress and teachers are aware of the importance of eliminating any gaps in the children’s mathematical knowledge. The Welsh Assembly Government guideline for Mathematical Development maintains that: ‘It is crucial that gaps in children’s mathematical learning are avoided, so that children do not miss out on essential elements in their understanding of mathematical concepts’ (WAG 2008) and Ysgol Dolafon fully agrees with that statement.
According to UNESCO (2004), teachers around the world are exerting efforts in trying out innovative teaching strategies. There were dedicated and committed teachers who make a difference to the students’ lives and even providing important learning opportunities in their communities. To meet the students’ diverse learning needs, teachers cater variety of learning opportunities and experiences. In an interview of Carol Ann Tomlinson, an American author and educator known for her works with techniques of differentiation in education, she described differentiation as shaking up the classroom to be more appropriate for the learners. Regarding the methods of instruction, there should be a variety of techniques for collecting and presenting the lesson considering the students’ needs, abilities, interests, and backgrounds of experience.
nclusive, diverse and cultural competency (“Talking about practice,” 2012. para. 1.) are key words currently being used in reference to education in Australian school environments (Victoria State Government: Education and Training, “Unity through diversity,” 2014. para 1.). For these terms to become actionable, wider community support is often necessary, not exclusively confined to community supporting service clubs and business, but also from involved parents. The following essay will question the actuality of Australian schools’ claims of being inclusive, diverse and/or culturally competent educators, and will show why having no obvious bigotry in a Primary School, doesn’t mean it is not there.
Many issues have been introduced and discussed in regards to race, culture and diversity, and their impact on children and society. In the attached journal I have recorded some of the subjects we discussed in group sessions such as: British Empire Legacy, Equal Opportunities, Post Code Culture, Ethnic Minorities, Sex Education, Legislations, and the Traveller Community. I have also included other interesting issues that I came across and thought to be relevant to this module. For the purpose of this reflective statement on the module and journal, I will focus further on and discuss the education of children in the traveller community, and inequalities in the representation of race and cultures in the media.
This paper aims at a critical analysis of the textbook Green Line. It deals with the question to what extent the category of ethnicity is represented in the chosen unit and in what way it is discussed in the context of inclusion. To this effect, first, the theoretical framework for the analysis will be presented: die Critical Discourse Analysis. The CDA shall serve to throw light on inclusion at schools o rather the exclusion of certain groups from a critical perspective. The theoretical framework is followed by an analysis of the section from the textbook. In this section, the findings will be presented and discussed. Here, the main points are two important questions: Does the material in the textbook exclude some groups from the heterogeneous
Effective differentiated instruction reflects where the students currently are in their educational stage and not where a teacher wishes them to be. This step is important; placing students either too high or too low in the instruction can be adverse to the teacher’s goal of helping all students. Developing lesson strategies for students that are too demanding may have a negative effect on performance and reinforce negative emotions concerning learning. Likewise, developing lesson strategies that do not challenge students to perform at their best can also have a negative effect. Some students that are not engaged by a teacher's instruction are left adrift waiting for new or more stimulating material. Engaging students in the learning strategy is the key ingredient in producing active learners.
Maths is ubiquitous in our lives, but depending on the learning received as a child it could inspire or frighten. If a child has a negative experience in mathematics, that experience has the ability to affect his/her attitude toward mathematics as an adult. Solso (2009) explains that math has the ability to confuse, frighten, and frustrate learners of all ages; Math also has the ability to inspire, encourage and achieve. Almost all daily activities include some form of mathematical procedure, whether people are aware of it or not. Possessing a solid learning foundation for math is vital to ensure a lifelong understanding of math. This essay will discuss why it is crucial to develop in children the ability to tackle problems with initiative and confidence (Anghileri, 2006, p. 2) and why mathematics has changed from careful rehearsal of standard procedures to a focus on mathematical thinking and communication to prepare them for the world of tomorrow (Anghileri).
The emergence of 21st century learning and skills has been a direct consequence of the dawn of a technology driven century where the half life of current knowledge shrinks by the second. The domain of mathematics has consequently seen a newfound impetus on learning and innovation skills as defined by The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21). The primary goals of designing learning environments have taken a turn towards ‘mathematisation of the child’s thinking’ (NCF, 2005), rather than just building on core mathematics concepts. But despite concretizing these modern goals in national policy and curriculum design