So before Friday's lesson with 7Y3 (period 5), I made sure I had an opportunity to speak with the teaching assistant that was going to be with us in the lesson. In this conversation I outlined the purpose of the lessons and what I wanted to get from each task, gave her a plan, explained where I would be focusing and what I would like her to do whilst I am doing this.
The plan was for me to work with the lowest ability group while the teaching assistant moved around the other groups making sure that they were on task and were applying the success criteria (that the pupils themselves had come up with). However I was very aware that whilst I was working with the weaker girls that several of the groups were not as focused as I would have liked; with in some cases all the members of the group pretty much leaving it up to one person. This could have been combated by each member of the group being assigned a role; making sure they had something to do and be focused. However I did feel that the girls could have been given more of a nudge to complete the task. I was particularly disappointed with the highest ability group who were very silly (even more than usual for period 5 on a Friday and a non uniform day) and had the most potential to complete the task or be stretched. Neither of which I think really happened.
Perhaps if I had made a much bigger fuss about the teaching assistant's role and empowered her more there would have been more focus from the groups as she moved around the room. This particular teaching assistant has a very good relationship with many of the pupils and could possibly been sterner with them. I think a combination of these things could have lead to a fantastic lesson. The lesson itself wasn't bad and the pupils showed from the starter their knowledge of the things we have covered this term and the second half of the lesson was designed for them to apply this knowledge which was only done to a certain level which I feel could have been raised if circumstances were slightly different. However Richard Long who was observing had some positive things to say and some interesting things for me too look at after the lesson.
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