Effectiveness of planning
This week I reviewed and reflected on my planning to date. There were a number of areas that needed reconsidering now that the projects were up and running and I knew the class groups a little better. With my fifth year group I felt that I had pitched the project a little high, that it was too challenging for a second-level group, given the time limits. The project is making a Zine based on the theme ‘the power of words’ with an underlying focus on the Sustainable Development Goal, Reduced Inequalities. It became clear in the third or fourth lesson that I needed to make the project more personal for the students to get them more engaged. I asked the class to consider their values and their personal qualities through a questionnaire, I then asked them to describe a time that they had experienced a small act of kindness. This questionnaire sparked a class discussion which was a good way of exploring the theme a little more.
I will bring the discussion into the next class and ensure that every student has a solid idea for their Zine. One of the students in the 5th year class shows very little interest and I am keen to steer him towards something he will engage with. My host teacher mentioned basketball so I will ask him to write down all the words he associates with basketball and ask him to work from there.
Evaluation of pupils work
I found that evaluating students work during the class was effective. One of the positive things to come from Covid-19 restrictions is the reduced class sizes. This allows for more one-to-one feedback and discussion.