Bev's Journal

Career Planning Self-Audit

2006-12-16T06:58:00.000Z

What other careers could I have persued as a graduate? What made me eliminate those?

I could have persued a career in the Health Service which is also a caring profession, which I would have been able to relate to. However, I think that it is the actual teaching aspect which I am drawn to and the fact that by teaching a child I can help them to progress and to achieve aspirations and build on their self esteem.

Another career could have seen me develop my skills in IT further and possible followed a route into this area. However, this is not so appealing to me as a career, although I will not let my new skills in IT stop here and will continue to seek further development in this area. I like the interaction that goes with teaching and really the whole package.

What made me decide on teaching?

Previous studies allowed me to move from a pre-school setting into a primary school in the position of a teaching assistant. My reasons for this was because I had always aspired to become a teacher and I considered this to be the perfect route to take. This role allowed me to develop necessary skills and to basically see if the school setting was for me. 4 years as a teaching assistant and 18 months of those as Cover Supervisor has confirmed that my aspirations are still in place and I would love to reach qualified teacher status.

I feel very deeply about how people in general perceive themselves and about aiming to raise levels of self esteem and self worth. I believe that if a child is helped to realise their own self worth then anything is possible. I enjoy the feeling of satifaction when I teach a child something new and they 'grow' with pride in them selves. Teaching, for me, is a very demanding career but one which is extremely rewarding and continually developed through professional development. My taste for learning will not end when my degree course does and I will put all of my efforts into the next stage of my development in order to achieve qualified teacher status.

Meeting with workplace advocate - Friday 16th Dec

2006-12-16T06:24:00.000Z

Met with workplace advocate and confirmed and discussed my plans now that the degree is nearly complete. Discussed my action inquiry and how it has helped me in my role in school and also in my forthcoming interview with E M Direct for the GTP. Confirmed the schedule for the next 18 months, starting with applying in early Feb, interivews in March and final decisions reached 4 weeks after the interview. It is still to be decided which class I will be teaching in for my GTP year, of course if successful in the application and interview stages. Head remarked on how my time management during my degree course will be of a great benefit for the GTP and an excellent example in the interview process.

I feel ready now for the next step and am excited to have nearly reached the end of my degree course. We discussed how my long list of interventions which I deliver in school will gradually be shifted to other teaching assistants over the next few months. Also, I will be delivering the next Further Literacy Support programme in the Spring term, this was the basis of my action inquiry. My findings from the action inquiry will have great impact on my next delivery of the programme and already in the chosen area of delivery.

I am relieved that I will be able to do my GTP at my present school because I will be able to concentrate on the job in hand without worrying about 'fitting in' and finding out where resources are stored and getting to know new children etc.

Transferability of research findings into wider population

2006-12-14T20:00:00.000Z

At first I thought my findings would have no baring on the wider population but then I thought about when I eventually move on and become a teacher. I could share my knowledge from my action inquiry and this would be seen as transfering my findings to other schools etc.

I have made amendments to my Defence section and have re-posted it for feedback. Will make a start on rest of Defence section tomorrow and draw up a plan for my conclusion, after checking word count for all other sections first.

Keep Toolkit/Busy Busy

2006-12-10T16:14:00.000Z

What a busy time, but then it is the same for all of us. I made it one of my aims to be able to upload all of my work, tables and all, into Keep Toolkit. I have done this previously but have used links to the work which I had uploaded, this time I have again created a title page containing the different sections and by clicking on one you are then taken straight to the whole piece of work instead of having to then take a link. I am really pleased with myself for doing this and my work looks a lot more professional because of it. My only problem is that I cannot make my quotes indented which is a requirement which I must do. I have posted a message for help, I think that html tags will be the answer but don't know which ones to use.

I have been going through my word count and it is going to be tight, the problem with Keep Toolkit is that every title and sub heading needs to be counted and this takes up a lot of word count. Better to be safe though don't want to be over the count.

Critical and Analytical Thinking

2006-12-04T20:54:00.000Z

I have been reading through the workshop on Critical and Analytical Thinking for the Defence of Findings. I can see that I need to be a less descriptive and to keep on deepening my analytical skills. I am going to write down my ideas of what I think is needed and then get to work on my analytical skills. I am aiming to do the last 3 sections over the next 3 weeks and then I will be able to have a Christmas break with my family - fingers crossed that all goes ok. I am not going to rush though because I want to do the best that I can.

Conversation with SENCO

2006-12-02T18:35:00.000Z

I asked the class teacher yesterday how, Child G, the boy who I identified as needing support in raising levels of self esteem in my action inquiry is doing. She informed me that he is interacting well with other children and enjoying taking more of an active roll in setting up for circle time. This information is important because it tells me that some impact has been made by my action inquiry and that changes have indeed been made. The impact from my action inquiry is do with changes and perceptions rather than impact which can be measured in figures and statistics.

Impact

2006-11-30T17:44:00.000Z

I have made a start on the Implact section of this module and am finding it hard to get started. I have been searching for models of measuring impact and am not coming up with anything. I haven't got my thoughts and direction clear on this LA yet and I seem to be struggling to get started.

busy week

2006-11-25T13:52:00.000Z

Can't believe how many hours I am studying at this present time, it seems to be work, study and bed at the moment. Feeling ok with things though and have had to remind myself that rushing is no good because if I don't cover the criteria I won't get the marks and that won't be of any use. Angela gave me excellent feedback on LA1 and I agree with everything she said but realise that I should have picked up on these things myself in the first place but this was my panic to make a start.

I have spent the last few nights updating my portfolio and tying everything together with my press release which I have been working on today. I am going to have a break now and spend time with family before they forget who I am and then later I will read through everything and see how it reads.

I feel so much better for making a huge impact on the start of this module I needed to do this to feel in control with everything.

Final Module

2006-11-20T20:19:00.000Z

The last couple of weeks were so hectic that I haven't made an entry into my blog for a few days. I finally uploaded CB330999S yesterday and will press the submit button either tomorrow or Wednesday. I stuck with using Keep Toolkit and I am glad that I did but it meant so many hours work on top of everything else, I have learned a lot from this though and have designed the framework for the final module already and will make sure that I keep on top of this side of things. I have been reading through my portfolio in Keep Toolkit and have completed the Learning Styles Questionnaire which my results were equal for a reflector and a theorists learning styles. In the last questionnaire I was mainly a reflector and I decided that I would work on becoming more of a theorist so my hard work must have paid off.

Feeling good and organised and glad that I now have just the one modue to work on. Covered Nursery all day today and really enjoyed it, it made a change from year 5/6.

What a 24 hours

2006-11-15T20:42:00.000Z

I must say that I feel much better today than I did at this time yesterday. I got in a real panic about using Keep Toolkit yesterday and all I can think is that the stress levels got the better of me. I haven't felt so stressed since this time last year but I certainly was last night, not a lot of sleep done. Anyway with sheer determination and lots of responses from other researchers and learning facilitators I have sorted out my Keep Toolkit and how to archive a 'static' download. I have worked for hours on this tool and did not just want to walk away from it without trying my hardest.

I am enjoying the Hot Seat with Bob Dick, I can remember his last Hot Seat and how interesting I found him - what a lovely man and so easy to 'talk' to. Work is so hectic at the moment and lots of people off sick, so much pressure both at work and at home but not long to go now I must hang in there.

Impact of Action Inquiry

2006-11-10T19:24:00.000Z

My head teacher told me today that she wants me to deliver Further Literacy Support in the Spring because I did such a good job and due to my knowledge of the intervention. She also asked me if I would be willing to train other teaching assistants to deliver the intervention.

Keep Toolkit and CB330004S

2006-11-09T20:12:00.000Z

I have decided to stick with using Keep Toolkit for presenting CB330999S it is a lot of extra work but will demonstrate the use of different media so I need to show this. I have spent the past few days trying to work out how to upload my work into keep toolkit and I expected the content to appear in the text box so thought that I was getting nowhere, I then realised that a link is still needed even though the work is in keep toolkit. All of my links are working now but I am having problems uploading my LA3 but I will keep trying. I am ready to post LA5 for peer review and then I will be able to solely concentrate on the last module, CB330004S. My aim is to have the introduction completed before Tuesday when the next to do list is posted.

The workload is so heavy at the moment and I seem to spend every hour that I am not at work studying - I have been here before but the end is in sight now.

Impact of exhibition on myself

2006-11-02T21:09:00.000Z

I have been thinking about how I can assess the impact of my exhibition on myself and I have thought of the following:

the depth of my knowledge and understanding of my research area and my ability to fully answer questions during the exhibition
my gut feeling that everything went as planned, if not better
the experience has informed me for future presentations eg. GTP interview
confidence in my abilities

section 4

2006-11-01T18:52:00.000Z

I posted my la4 for feedback and I am really pleased with how it has been received. The new module has now started so today I made a plan of how I will approach my studies. The plan is flexible but will keep me on task because the next 2 months will be really hectic and probably fly past. I met with the SENCO rep regarding my exhibition and have made notes of the content of our meeting which provided some good evidence for the validation and defense module.

Validation and Defence

2006-10-30T21:14:00.000Z

I have been reading through the validation and defence module instructions again tonight to rmeind myself of what is coming in the last module. I am working on section 4 of CB330999S and am making that my priority over the next couple of days, I want to share it for feedback in the next couple of days and then will just have to concentrate on section 5 alongside the new module.

Have been reading through the messages in the present hotseat on relationships at work etc. There is some really interesting messages and I really feel for anyone who is in unpleasant and uncomfortable situations at work, I previously worked in a pre school and I gave everything and was treated really badly by the 2 women who run the place, so I studied for an NVQ 3 and then got a job in my present school and never looked back.

2006-10-26T17:46:00.000+01:00

It has been a strange week but I am fine and ready to get on with completing this module. I have shared my LA3 with learning set today and am making notes for the next learning activity.I received my application pack for teacher training yesterday and all of a sudden things are starting to become 'real'. Just hope everything goes as planned and it is going to be a nail biting next 4/5 months.

Materials

2006-10-24T11:04:00.000+01:00

Still working hard on section 3 and providing critical commentary on my choice of materials. I hope to be at a stage to share this piece of work in Webct later today for feedback and then will make a start on section 4.

Section 3

2006-10-22T09:04:00.000+01:00

when I prepared my exhibition and chose the materials I kept a note of just why I had chosen each method of presentation. I read a lot of work on appropriate ways to present and materials to use and I am glad that I did because I am now putting all of this information together in section 3. I am off of work this week so I intend on getting as much work done as possible. My exhibition has been done so my aim now is to work through the rest of the module so that I don't have too much to do alongside the next module which starts on October 30th. I am looking forward to just concentrating on the last module and knowing that I am on the home straight.

Impact of Action Inquiry

2006-10-19T18:33:00.000+01:00

Today there was a discussion at work regarding my exhibition and about my degree, when I finish and my future plans. Some interesting discussion and different ideas were made by staff. One person asked if a benchmark level would have given more insight into academic achievement. This would have provided another perspective but the Salford Sentence Reading Test did provide a reading age which has similarities with the levels discovered from benchmarking.

There was a positive approach to my bar chart which displayed the comparisons between overall responses from the initial and the final questionnaires. I wondered if this was the correct way to present these findings because of the small scale of my inquiry and made it clear in section 1 that I chose to use this method purely for visualisation.

My powerpoint presentation, commentary and static display, in which others could freely read the pupil's exercise books, completed questionnaires and the FLS handbook, meant that all learning styles were addressed and catered for.

The SENCO representative was very interested in my findings and wants to discuss my inquiry further at a later date. I will make sure that I her to this because this opportunity will be great for the Validation and Defense module.

Exhibition

2006-10-17T19:44:00.000+01:00

I did my exhibition today and I can definately say that it went really well. Everything went to plan and the feedback sheets have started to return to me. Having a well deserved night off now and will take a look at feedback and photos tomorrow.

Static Display

2006-10-16T17:14:00.000+01:00

Today I have done my static display and it looks really effective, I am really pleased with it, I initially intended making it available all of this week but I will guage how my feedback goes and I may take it down on Thursday due to Friday being the last day of this term and busy, busy. I have taken some photos for evidence and had a lot of interest and questions today. Tomorrow is my 'live' exhibition so fingers crossed for that.

Sharing materials used to present findings

2006-10-15T13:54:00.000+01:00

I have shared the ways that I have presented my findings and also my powerpoint presentation for my 'live' exhibition. I am hoping for some feedback to inform my section 3 of CB330999S. I have worked since 7am on getting static display materials together ready for tomorrow and on powerpoint. Will be glad when exhibition is over, not long to go now though. I used my thoughts during participant observations in powerpoint and was pleased with end result, it added a bit of colour.

Not long now to exhibition

2006-10-13T19:38:00.000+01:00

Lots to do this weekend ready for next weeks exhibition. I am working hard on my analysis so that I can add my findings and recommendations to my static display (all next week) and to my powerpoint for my 'live' exhibition on Tuesday. I need to complete feedback sheets this weekend too. I am pleased with the amount of data that I have collected and with the way that my AI is going.

Analysis

2006-10-12T18:44:00.000+01:00

I am working on my analysis and recommendations, having to really be precise due to word count. It is not complete yet but I have allowed plenty of time to finish it, my exhibition is spread over next week so I need to have everything completed by Sunday evening. I am going to keep doing some work then going back over it until I am happy with it.

Work is going well and I am getting excited at the prospect of doing my teacher training, if everything goes to plan I will begin training in Sept 07, my school have said that I can do it there so that is brilliant news because I know everyone and where just about every resource in the school is. Things are starting to become real now and I am ready for the next stage. Georgia is doing really well at the moment so fingers crossed that she stays stabilized for a while.

Really pleased

2006-10-11T18:08:00.000+01:00

I am really pleased with the way that my action inquiry is going, I am now analysing the data and I can really see how my inquiry has evolved and developed. I am so glad that my analysis has now reached the level that I never believed it would, I now instinctively know when something is hiding beneath the surface and I am able to question and keep digging until I get to the bottom of something. I am able to go with my instincts and put my side of the argument - a milestone which I have wanted to reach for a long time and I feel really good.

Resources for my static display are looking great and when I have finished my analysis I will be adding my findings to this. Powerpoint is coming along nicely and again I will be adding my analysis, conclusions and recommendations in time for my exhibition next week. I am keeping things simple but making sure that I include the relevant information, much like the approach that I had for my pilot exhibition because it worked really well so I am not going to start getting too ambitious at this stage and make things difficult for myself.

Analysis

2006-10-10T17:57:00.000+01:00

I got some really helpful responses to my message regarding my 3rd research question. With hindsight I can see that the question is now worded very well but we live and learn. This is a good learning experience and will inform me on future action inquiries, so something really positive has come out of this. Rob Walker advised me to look at my original questions and then to look at where my questions are at now, explaining that things can change between questions. Some more deep thought needed I think.

Analysis of data collection

2006-10-09T17:35:00.000+01:00

I am working on analysing my collected data and how the data informs my research questions. This is proving quite tricky because each of my 3 research questions whilst being different are also very alike so I am finding it tricky not to repeat myself. I am going to use the 3 questions as 3 seperate headings but I intend to make my recommendations as a seperate piece and join them together at the end of section 2.

Back to it, I need to spend a lot of time on this during this week.

Analysis of collected data

2006-10-08T16:03:00.000+01:00

I have now began to analyse my collected data and to discover how it informs my research questions. I have data from my participant observations, my questionnaires and from my Salford Sentence Reading Tests and Schonell Reading Tests. The questions that I am aiming to answer are:

1. How can I successfully deliver a further literacy support intervention to Year 5 children?

2. How can I raise standards and self esteem during further literacy support?

3. How will I realise the impact of further literacy support on Year 5 children and on care in the classroom?

I certainly have plenty to do over the next week and then it is the week of my exhibition. The static display is coming along really well and just needs things adding to it as I go along, and this is the case of my ppt which I shall be presenting at my main exhibition and which will also be on view with my static exhibition.

This is the time when I need to get my head focused and will make loads of drafts of my analysis report as I keep going over it and over it and then over it again. All is ok though and I am enjoying this module, just need to stick rigidly to my timeline.

Research Questions

2006-10-06T19:51:00.000+01:00

This weekend I need to go over my data collection and check that I will be able to cover my reaearch questions, I don't think that there will be a problem but I need to make sure now and not leave anything to chance.

Things are going as planned and I am managing my time really well, I always new that I would find the work life balance that I was looking for. An important part of this degree for me is the communities and I find Webct absolutely brilliant. I look in every day to check messages and to leave responses or start a new thread when I have something to discuss. I don't find this a bind at all because I really enjoy the interaction with other researchers - this is one thing that I will miss when the degree finishes.

Analysis of data

2006-10-05T19:33:00.001+01:00

Lots to think about from the responses of my final questionnaires, why did one child give responses so different from my findings from participant observations? Is it because he wants to feel differently about himself or does he want me to view him in a different way? I am going to spend tonight making notes on the why's and what if's of my collected data. This situation really proves why triangulation is so important.

Analysis of data

2006-10-05T19:33:00.000+01:00

Interesting Data Collected

2006-10-04T18:26:00.000+01:00

I have been looking at the responses from my final questionnaire and one child who has displayed low levels of self esteem and little interest in FLS gave some interesting responses. By the responses which he gave anyone who didn't know him would think that he is a confident child with a love of literacy and of FLS. My date collected from my participant observations tells a very different story and this now provides me with some very interesting analysis. Previously I have looked at how subjects can tell us what they want us to hear or portraythemselves as they would like us to believe, is this a perfect example of this? Some interesting work ahead I think.

Data collection/analysis

2006-10-03T18:44:00.000+01:00

I delivered the final questionnaires yesterday and have been busy sorting through the responses. I must make a more conscious effort to put my thoughts and ideas over in a more clear and precise way, twice in webct I have left out information which has caused confusion for readers. I wonder if it is because I am a little unsure and am treading carefully at the moment afterall this is a very important time. Anyway more clear and precise information given by me from now on. The pace is picking up now the problem is that it also is at work so I am feeling the pressure but I am sure are everybody else is too.

I had a very clear vision of what needed doing and where I was going with this AE but I am a little panicky today wondering if my approach is ok and if I am on the right track. I suppose that this is only natural at this stage and as long as I keep active in webct and first class I will feel on top of things and part of a great support network.

Cycles of my AE

2006-10-01T14:59:00.000+01:00

I am well underway in collecting my data so I am now going to analyse the cycles so far and how the data from each has helped to inform my research questions.

First cycle - the implementation of Further Literacy Support during which time I have been carrying out participant observations and taking records using a diary and using session summary sheets.

Research Questions:
1. How can I successfully deliver a FLS intervention to Year 5 children?

My data collected from participant observations has informed me that through and precise planning are essential to meet the time constraints of the programme. I paid particular attention to if each child understood the work set and if they completed the work set. I will be able to triangulate my findings when I receive responses from the final questionnaires. Also the realisation that differentiation is very important and that the needs of each individual child is different. One child stood out from the rest and needed more coaxing and lots more encouragement to join in the lessons.

2. How can I raise standards of self esteem during FLS?

Again participant observations allowed me to witness pupil's actions and responses as well as what was said. One child, who I mentioned earlier, displayed low self esteem and very little interest and a very negative attitude towards the programme. From observations and by assessing the work that he has produced I have been able to pick up on some concerns for this child and I will be interested to see his responses to my final questionnaire which is designed to inform me on how he feels about himself and literacy.

3. How will I realise the impact of FLS on Year 5 children and on care in the classroom?

I think that the data that I will collect which is relevant to this question from an academic perspective will come mainly from the results of assessments carried out after the programme is complete. However, I do feel that this question covers other areas such as changes to the children after the experience both positive and negative ones. 6 of the 7 children worked well as a group and shared thoughts and ideas and I do honestly think that they did enjoy the experience.

Second cycle
This will be the completion of the final questionnaires and will allow me to take things a step further, I will be able to compare my findings to those of the initial questionnaires.

Third cycle
I was informed of the need for this cycle from my observations in cycle 1 when I realised the need for an academic perspective to inform me on my research questions. To discover how I can successfully deliver FLS and how I can raise standards by doing so i need to be aware of any changes in children's progression.

Reading up on data analysis

2006-09-29T18:46:00.000+01:00

I have collected some data by means of a diary of participant observations but still have a lot more to collect from my final questionnaries and assessmentsfrom which comparisons will be drawn. I am now researching data analysis in more depth and looking at analysis of the quantitative data which I will collect from assessment scores and at the qualitative data from my diaries and children's excercise books. There is some very deep analysis and I really need to get to grips with it and to decide how I am going to analyse my own data so I can do a really good, thorough job of my analysis. I have posted a message in Activities to arrange for an update with my learning set and I would like to discuss data analysis and how my learning set are going to approach it.

Have been continuing with preparation for static exhibition, just getting as much done as possible to take the pressure off later. I am going to aim to complete this module before the next module begins so that I can concentrate on one module at a time, this will be helped by the fact that half term is on 20th October so I will have full days to study.

Static Exhibition

2006-09-26T20:18:00.000+01:00

I have been thinking of how to design the static part of my exhibition such as the paper for the back ground and for mounting my work. I have made a list of the content which I will keep adding to and perhaps changing but by planning ahead I think that I am taking some of the pressure off as the exhibition gets nearer. School is so busy I will be so glad when I have managed to fit in my AE plans especially the exhibition, I am worried that something is going to crop up and ruin my plans.

Assessment

2006-09-25T19:45:00.000+01:00

In my earlier entry I didn't make clear that after the first module of FLS that lasts for 4 weeks I will then continue to work with the same group of children on the FLS programme. The whole programme lasts for 12 weeks and when the first module is complete I will be assessing the children's academic performance by using Salford Sentence Reading Tests and Schonell Spelling Tests. My implementation will then be complete in time for my exhibition starting on the 16th October.

Exhibition Materials

2006-09-25T17:43:00.000+01:00

I have began preparing some of my exhibition content, there is a lot that I can't do yet but I am doing the things that I can like preparing the board and printing off titles, children's quotes, theorists quotes and photocopying children's work. Tonight I am going to design my feedback sheets that will be available both for the static exhibition and for the 'live' exhibition. I have created the basis of my ppt which I will present in my live exhibition and which will also be available on my laptop for the static exhibition. Today I put my invite onto the notice board in the staff room and everything seems to be going well. This week is my fourth and final week of the module which I am concentration on for my AE and next Monday I will be delivering my final questionnaires to the children.

Observation from FLS

2006-09-21T19:22:00.000+01:00

One of the children in my FLS group suffers from quite a severe stutter and I noticed that she repeated a word 3 times in her work. This is like she is stuttering in her work and I mentioned this to the Head and also to the class teacher. I have never heard of this before but then I have never really worked with a child with a severe stutter before.

I am pleased with my planning and preparation of resources for this programme, I have spent a lot of time doing this but it has really paid off because I have been very organised for each lesson. Staff have been really good at making sure that my timetable is not changed which would cause problems for implementation. I like how structured FLS is and it has been a challenge and something that I can really get my teeth into. It is not finished yet though I have next week to complete the module that I am concentrating on for my AE.

Action Enquiry

2006-09-20T18:55:00.000+01:00

One child really stands out in my Further Literacy Support (FLS) group. I am going to call this child Child X to maintain anonymity. He is a child with very low self-esteem and has a very low opinion of himself and finds it difficult to show any enthusiasm in lessons. I am giving him lots of praise and encouragement and really doing my best to include him in discussions and to share his work and ideas with the rest of the group. Yesterday the lesson ended on a positive note and I really thought that I was getting somewhere but when it was time for todays lesson I had to go and collect him from his class because he didn't want to participate and didn't see the point in FLS.

I am now well into the third of the four week programme and child x has really become a major source of my collected data so far. The initial questionnaire completed by this child displayed low self belief and low confidence levels and I am wondering just how the final questionnaire will compare and contrast when completed on 2nd October.

I am constantly thinking of the content of my exhibition and have began to create a powerpoint presentation, it still needs lots adding as data is collected but I have the bones of it and can develop it from there.

Data collection

2006-09-19T18:24:00.000+01:00

I posted a message into Activities, my learning sets community, to question if being too involved and too immersed in an activity or situation can be a disadvantage to a participant observor. Can we become too familiar and too involved that we miss things and so can the reliability of our findings be affected?

FLS is going well and is now on the third of the four week long module which I am concentrating on for my AE. The data is being collected from the observations and on October 2nd I will deliver the final questionnaire which I will then be able to analyse along with the responses from the initial ones. I will also be including spelling and reading assessments which were completed before the programme and shall be completed afterwards too. Although this is a slight deviation I don't feel that I am changing my research proposal or my research questions and I will then justify my reasons for including these in the defense and validation module. I just feel that by assessing the pupil's academic performance I will allow greater triangulation to take place.

Data Collection Methods

2006-09-17T18:05:00.000+01:00

My learning set held our weekly chat this morning to update on how our AEs are progressing. We discussed. data collection methods and the advantages and disadvantages of each one. We also discussed how we could present the collected data in both our work and also in our main exhibitions. We covered a lot of ground today and had a really informative chat, we all know where we are going with our AEs and seem to be progressing well. I have been experimenting with different charts to present my findings and have decided that I will use a bar chart to show the responses from my initial and final questionnaires

Action Enquiry

2006-09-13T20:35:00.000+01:00

I am now into the second week of the implementation of Further Literacy Support FLS) and as I initially suspected one child needs a lot of support and encouragement. This child is reluctant to share his work and ideas and hiw self esteem appears really low. The initial questionnaire that he completed pointed towards low levels of self esteem and little interest in the prospect of taking part in FLS. This particular child at first came to each lesson at the designated time but this week I have had to go to his class to collect him, he came but reluctantly and questioning why he has to do FLS. I am certainly going to have my work cut out but I am making sure that he gets loads of praise and encouragement and am doing my best to help him to enjoy the intervention.

The daily diary is proving to be very time consuming, I knew that this was one of the disadvantages but I thought that it would only take 5 minutes each day - how wrong I was. Apart from this everything is going ok and I am preparing content for my main exhibition.

Going on a visit tomorrow to Bretton Park with Year 5 in the morning and Year 6 in the afternoon to sketch sculptures so I am keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't rain.

Assessment

2006-09-11T19:59:00.000+01:00

As well as participant observations and questionnaires I have decided that in order to assess the pupil's academic performance I will carry out a Salford Sentence Reading Test and a Schonell Spelling Test at the end of the FLS programme and then compare the results with the assessments done prior to the programme. As I have been implementing my AE over the past week the need for further assessment became apparant.

Implementation

2006-09-10T12:44:00.000+01:00

Last week I began the implementation of Further Literacy Support (FLS) to a group of Year 5 pupils. This will form the basis of my action inquiry and I will be discovering:
1, How I can successfully deliver a further literacy support intervention to Year 5 children.
2, How I can raise standards and self esteem during FLS.
3, How I can realise the impact of FLS on Year 5 children and on care in the classroom.

I am interested in discovering if self esteem levels have an impact on academic achievement. I have conducted participant observations and I have recorded these in a daily diary. Other data can be collected by assessing the children's work during each lesson and marking progress.

I have done lots of preparation for my AE and am finalising ways to exhibit the data collected which are different and more technically impressive than those that I have used previously but I am making sure that I do not get out of my depth. I want to keep my AE simple yet informative.

Back to study

2006-08-03T10:24:00.000+01:00

I have had a good couple of weeks off of studying and am now ready to prepare for the next semester. I have been sorting through the mountain of notes which I collected over the last semester and am now more organised. My Further Literacy Support intervention which I will be implementing in Septemeber as the basis of my Action Enquiry is all sorted out and ready to go so now I need to look more deeply and further a field at the relevant literature in self-esteem. I am going to Rhodes on the 16th August so I need to get some ground work done before I go.

Deep in thought for UNH1995

2006-06-28T21:29:00.000+01:00

I am so wrapped up in this module that I haven't made an entry into my blog for a few days. I am playing around with the Keep Toolkit and experimenting with links etc. I am amazed at how quickly the time goes by.

Went with Y6 to Magna in Rotherham to an afternoon with Crucial Crew. This is made up of various emergency service members who act out different scenarios to attempt to educate children in safety. Had a great time and the children were very well behaved.

Full days cover

2006-06-21T19:11:00.000+01:00

I had to provide cover today for a year5 class because the teacher was ill. I do lots of cover but not usually for the full day so this was a great opportunity and I really enjoyed it. In the morning I supervised the optional SATs and then in the afternoon I organised some activities including making the props for the forthcoming production for part of the class and topic research for the rest. There are some very difficult children in this class and lots of behavioural problems but I was firm but pleasant and discovered common ground with the ones who were most likely to cause me problems. My strategies worked and we got along fine so this was a very good day indeed. Two of the boys love art so I talked them into doing my some lovely drawings and told them that I would place these into my portfolio which Iwill do as a demonstration of children's work. Days like this one make it all worth while.

Portfolio

2006-06-19T17:18:00.000+01:00

As well as creating an e-portfolio in the Keep Toolkit I have made a strart on a 'hard copy' too. I have made a list of all of the things that I will put into it and I am sure that I will think of more as I go along. Today I took my camera to school to get some photographic evidence.

I am really starting to enjoy this module now that I have got into it. At first I found it difficult to get my head around just what was needed and how to present it, but I have taken thing slowly and it is coming together nicely. I am using the different genre and media that I have developed along the way but I am not experimenting too much at this stage. I think that this module is different because it feels totally individual because I think that everyone's approach of it will be slightly different.

Transferability of graduate skills

2006-06-18T11:24:00.000+01:00

I have been researching just what graduates themselves and employers consider to be the benefits of graduate over non-graduates. I found some research carried out by The Center for Research Quality http://www.uce.ac.uk/crq/publications/gw/gwch7f.html and the majority of employers favoured and could see the value in employing graduates. I discovered that is is the skills learnt and achievements what are important rather than the subject knowledge of the degree.

(The Center of Research Quality, nd)

"Generally, recent-graduates thought they had, in broad terms, more to offer including being more ‘academic’, ‘stretchable’, ‘multi-tasking’, ambitious, flexible and rounded, being quicker to grasp things, having a wider view and being more suitable ‘as management material’. In general, these self-analyses were modest and self-deprecating while nonetheless clear in identifying advantages of graduates over non-graduates".

One major point that I found was employers looked at if investing in employees working towards graduateness was value for money. The overall view was yes with the negative side being will the employee then move on and take their skills etc with them. This is a similar problem to the one that I have found in my school allowing me to do my GTP there. It costs the school money and the Head aks what benefit is this to the school if there is no position there for me once qualified.

Evidence for UNH1995

2006-06-12T18:02:00.001+01:00

I am wondering about the amount of evidence to use for the GLO's I don't want to use too much evidence but then I don't want to not use enough. I think that there is always the risk of playing too safe and using far too much evidence. I am thinking that at this level it is showing the skills of chosing the right piece of evidence and then the reflective commentary that really counts. I have posted a message in Web ct to see what others think.

Evidence for UNH1995

2006-06-12T18:02:00.000+01:00

Future Plans

2006-06-10T10:45:00.000+01:00

When I have completed my degree I intend to apply for a place for Graduate Teacher Training in March 2007. If successful the course will commence in September 2007 and will be complete in July 2007. I will find out next term if I can undertake my training at my present school but if this is not the case then I will approach other schools to secure a place.

Evidence and Reflective Commentaries

2006-06-09T19:59:00.000+01:00

I think that the penny has dropped and that my UNH1995 is starting to take shape. I have found that in the modules so far in year 3 I have taken a while to think really deeply about what approach is needed before I actually get started. I worked through the 9 activities over the past couple of weeks and recorded my findings in my learning journal but I am just starting to get some sort of structure together. I seem to be slower in actually getting started but I need the time previous to this to get everything clear in my mind. So whereas I would have once jumped straight in I am now thinking more initially and building a solid foundation to build upon. I can see how my approach has changed and that the 'initial thinking' stage is really part of my overall approach. I think that this approach enables me to produce much profound work than previously.

UNH1995

2006-06-06T17:37:00.000+01:00

Right, I have just about finished working through the activites and now I need to decide what I want in my portfolio and how I am going to present it. I need to make a list and think carefully and then get on with compiling it.

I have just seen coversheets for Review & Planning and I am really pleased with my results. This has given me just the boost that I need.

UNH1995

2006-06-01T18:42:00.000+01:00

I am on half term holidays this week and have made sure that I have spent plenty of time with my kids as well as study and household chores. I have been working my way through the activities for UNH1995 and I am realising a lot about myself, especially in Activity 4 and the individual SWOT analysis where I was able to identify possible barriers which may prevent my plsns being implemented. This is good because I can now do all that I can to prevent any problems. I have set up my keep toolkit for my portfolio I chose this approach because I thought that it was a good development opportunity for me. However, part of me still prefers a 'real' portfolio so I will have to decide which to use - possibly both.

Ready for uploading UNH3601

2006-05-25T18:19:00.000+01:00

Tonight I am going to finish uploading UNH3601, I have really enjoyed this module and I think that I have developed a lot during it. When it is all uploaded I am going to allow myself tomorrow night off to chill and catch up with other things.

Went on an educational visit today to Butterfly World in Sheffield with year 1/2 children. Had a really good day and the weather kept fine. I held a snake which was a huge achievement for me.

Portfolios

2006-05-22T18:42:00.000+01:00

The Deputy Head is bringing her portfolio's into school tomorrow for me to have a look at. She asked if I wanted to see her personal one or her subject coordinator one so I asked if I could look at both. UNH3601 is going really well and I am checking through everything and making finishing touches. I have really enjoyed this module and I feel that I have progressed so much by carrying out the learning activities in it. Everything seems to be fitting into place and becoming so much more clear now.

In School Training

2006-05-18T19:03:00.000+01:00

Today I have been training other teaching assistants in the delivery of the Salford Sentence Reading Test. My responsibilities seem to be growing every day now.

Working on UNH3601 to get it finished and then I will just have to concentrate on the final module of the semester. Tomorrow I am going to be looking at some of the teacher's portfolios to give me some ideas for my own.

Busy,Busy

2006-05-16T22:34:00.001+01:00

Work is busy and studying is even more busy at the moment.
Today I trained 2 teaching assistants on the delivery of Catch Up, a reading intervention for struggling readers. I enjoyed doing this and another string to my bow. Tomorrow I am going to model delivering the programme and then observe the TA's delivering it.

I am really busy with UV work but I am really enjoying doing the work. After a bit of a down couple of days on LA5 last week I have got my positive head back on and have got loads of ideas in my head. I have started work on UNH1995 and my next job is to construct an individual plan for the module. First though I would like to really get on top of Exhibition Preparation ready for next weeks deadline - I am doing quite well with it though so at the moment I am not too worried.

All's well and I am feeling really positive.

Busy,Busy

2006-05-16T22:34:00.000+01:00

Working Hard

2006-05-14T18:32:00.000+01:00

I had a well deserved day off of UV work yesterday and spent time with my family. Today I have worked hard on LA3, my ppt of pilot exhibition, evidence and my evaluation of the feedback from my audience. I have just posted it into 'Activities' for peer review, I may also post it in Cohort 2 and Blue for a wider audience. I am working on my literature review and have the bones of it but just need to build on this. I looked in Webct at the information for the new module that starts tomorrow, there is certainly plenty to work on so I really want to get on with the Exhibition Preparation Module.

Feeling ok with everything better than last week with the Review & Planning LA5 which took a lot of getting right.

New Member of Staff

2006-05-12T19:25:00.000+01:00

Today I spent half an hour with the new teaching assistant to help her settle in and for the chance for her to ask any questions. I showd her where the resources are kept and fire exits assembly points etc. This was another example of how my role has developed and my responsibilities in school have increased.

I was also asked if I would train two other teaching assistants in the delivery of catch up a reading intervention for struggling readers. I will be training them on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. I feel really proud to have more responsibilities and more opportunities to do differnet things.

Review & Planning module is all uploaded so fingers crossed now.

Heavy Workload

2006-05-11T18:17:00.000+01:00

Sorry, haven't made an entry for a few days but totally up to the neck in UV work. I have never been so close to a deadline to complete my work. I haven't been slacking I have been working flat out for weeks now but the workload just seems so vast and very intense. I was really good with doing my bibliography as I went along this time but forgot about the message extract that I have included in my appendages so I am having to track them all down tonight - just what I didn't need. Never, mind I bet I will do this next time.

Pilot Exhibition

2006-05-02T17:44:00.000+01:00

I did it, I have done my pilot exhibition and I am so proud of myself. It went so well and I can't believe that I actually stood there and did it. I have photaographic evidence and also a voice recording as well as completed feedback sheets from my audience.

I was really pleased with the feedback because it was encouraging and complementary but also I recieved some good solid ideas for my future questionnaires for my AE. Some of the comments included:

would the results have been different if each pupil completed their questionnaires at different times and on a one to one basis.
does peer pressure have any impact on the children's responses
the fact that 5 of the children agreed that they liked school even though in an earlier statement all 6 were unsure about how easy they make friends.

Loads of ideas and a very worthwhile excercise. Now I need to upload my photos and my voice recording and scan the feedback sheets, plenty to be doing so LA5 will have to take a back seat for tonight.

LA4 UNH2601

2006-04-29T14:23:00.000+01:00

Gathering evidence of my ethical considerations for this activity. Keep making notes for LA5 as I think about governing variables etc. I was thinking about governing variables as I went to sleep last night and then again when I woke up- how sad is that. Everything seems to be going ok I have had my research proposal accepted so that is a huge weight off of my mind and I can concentrate on other things now like my pilot. I am still adding and making changes to my powerpoint presentation and will need to be ready and sorted by Tuesday. I am not too worried about the pilot, I have kept it simple so that i don't put too much pressure on myself at the moment. All is good and I am up to date with things.

Pilot Exhibition

2006-04-26T20:59:00.000+01:00

My pilot exhibition is scheduled for Tuesday 2nd May, next week. I have been working on my ppt for this and then I will share it with my learning set. I shared my initial ideas on governing variables with my set to see if I am on the right track. Loads to do and lots of ideas in my head but have to keep telling myself not to panic and that all of the work will get completed in the end.

Educational Visit - York

2006-04-24T17:25:00.000+01:00

went with Years 3/4 to the Yorvik centre and the Dig in York. Had a really good day and a very interesting one too. Keep thinking about UNH2601 LA5, the reflective piece. Have been swotting up on double-loop learning and governing variables etc. I am having difficulty getting started on this one and getting my head round it all for example identifying the governing variables etc. Oh well I will keep at it and it will all become clear - I hope

LA4 & LA5 - UNH2601

2006-04-23T13:07:00.000+01:00

I have began work on the last 2 activities for this module and am brainstorming ideas. Yesterday my learning set held its first chat and it went very well. We agreed that we would hold chats in first class and that we would post our work in our own community called 'activities'. We are going to hold our next chat on Friday evening so this gives us all time to get on with some work. We all seem to be at the same stage and everything seems great.

Quuestionnaires for FLS

2006-04-19T21:17:00.000+01:00

Today I asked the children who will be taking part in further literacy support with me in September, to fill in my initial questionairres. Their responses will give me plenty to think about and together with the minutes from my interview with the SENCO representative I will have substantial data for analysis. I am confident that the questions that I constructed for this initial questionnaire were appropriate to what I want to discover - good response from the children and a good start to my action research.

Back to work

2006-04-18T19:01:00.000+01:00

First day back at work I have been spoiled by being a full time student for the past 2 weeks. I need to make changes to my timeline for my proposal but will have to check dates tomorrow at work so will have to send it to Shirley tomorrow evening.

studying hard

2006-04-13T18:05:00.000+01:00

I have been on holiday from work for the past 2 weeks so I have been able to get loads of work done. I cannot believe how many hours of studying I have done and it has made me wonder how I will get back into working as well as studying - but I will. I have read so much literature over the past couple of weeks and have been working hard on UNH3601LA1 my justifications. I have got to make adjustments to my research proposal but it's not the end of the world, although I am going to log off now and have a rest I have done about ten hours study today, it's amazing how quickly the time flies

research methods

2006-04-12T20:12:00.000+01:00

I have been working on my justification for my chosen data collection methods for my AE today and I worked through a past workshop on research methods that I have worked on previously. I wondered if I have taken on board too many different data collection methods, these being questionnaire, interview, participant observation and the keeping of a diary. However, I still feel that I need these different methods for me to get the best results from my research so I am going to stick with my choice.

I have done loads of reading over the past couple of weeks and I have really enjoyed being a full time student. I have so much information gathered around me and I am now deciding on what is really relevant.

I posted my methodology justification LA1 UNH3601 in Blue this evening to see what other researchers thoughts are on my work. I am working on research methods justification at the moment.

Literature Review

2006-04-05T12:25:00.000+01:00

In preparation for activity 2 of UNH3601 I have been working on the Literature Review workshop. I used this workshop previously but this was a while ago and I felt that I needed to refresh my memory. I have posted my re-draft of my research proposal into Blue and later after possible responses I am going to send it to Shirley to see if it is ready to be agreed - fingers crossed.

Research Proposal

2006-04-04T15:39:00.000+01:00

I posted my 3rd re-draft of my research proposal and need to work on my data collection and data analysis sections a little more. I am really trying to make sure that I comment on other researcher's work i know how important it is and I am grateful for ohters comments on my work. Can't quite believe just how calm and relaxed I feel about everything, I have felt like this for a couple of months now and I am now at all upset when I get my work returned with things to change because I know that it is just making it that bit better. feeling good about everything and am now enjoying UV work which is something that I thought that I would never say.

I have designed my first questionnaire today for my AE and I am very pleased with the results.

Action enquiry research

2006-03-30T20:48:00.000+01:00

I have been looking for more information into Rosenburg (1979) as part of my indicative literature survey. I had some good comments on my first draft of my research proposal and now I am working on re-drafting. A good day at work, very busy we have been doing practice SATS this week and I am responsible for getting all of the resources together. The last day of term for me tomorrow and I am really ready for the break.

Research Information

2006-03-27T22:25:00.000+01:00

I am finding the research which I am carrying out really interesting and I need to perfect the wording of it all in my proposal. I am very interested in the work on Jean McNiff and I posted a message into the Blue community tonight regarding methodology. McNiff has a very spiritual view on action research which I find very appealing and my chosen research focus fits in very nicely with her views and ideas. I have had a good night of study after a hit and miss couple of weeks due to Georgia not being too good. I am ok with everything though and positive about things. I have been getting together my first draft of my research proposal and I intend to share it with the Blue community tomorrow.

Research Proposal

2006-03-24T20:12:00.000Z

This week I have been busy researching literature and compiling a rough draft of my research proposal. Lots to do so like everyone else I have been working hard. Interesting to find how much research opposes my idea that self-esteem does have an impact on achievement.

My self-esteem

2006-03-17T20:13:00.000Z

After my disastrous experience yesterday in taking 30 children for cirlce time with no prior warning for preparation I did not really want to go to work today, however, I did and the class teacher and I worked together as a team and talked to the whole class about their behaviour and how things could have been much better. I think that we got through to them and they apologised and so did the class teacher for putting me in that position. I am looking at this as a learning experience and now putting it behaind me and looking forward. It really knocked my confidence and I just did not feel in control of the situation. I can now look at the situation objectively and remind myself that these children are a very difficult class with loads of behavioural problems and the teachers themselves sometimes find it difficult to keep on top of things. Another piece of reflection for me has been the effect that this experience had on my self-esteem and how my confidence plummeted yesterday. This gives me what I feel is food for thought about the focus of my nest AE which is in fact self-esteem in children. How does a child feel when he or she is asked to complete a given task when that child does not understand what to do? I feel that I can come some way into understanding a child in this position now.

circle time experience

2006-03-16T21:57:00.000Z

I had a bad day today the class teacher of year 6 asked me to take some children for circle time, I said that I hadn't done it before and didn't know anything about circle time but I did. I was sent 30 children and it was horrible there are lots of behavioural problems and due to the fact that I had no time to prepare and that they were fully aware of this is was horrible. I felt like a failure becuase I couldn't keep on top of them. Reflection - I was put into a very difficult position and should have had time to prepare and to familiarize myself with the proceedure and content of circle time. My learning from this experience is that I need to be strong and to say no in future unless I have time to prepare myself. Tomorrow I am going to address the situation with the class and to let them know that I would have appreciated their support and discuss my feelings and theirs. It is days like this when I really question just what I want to be a teacher for.

Friday 10th March - Year 5 Production

2006-03-12T09:34:00.000Z

I worked a 12 hour shift on Friday because I worked on a production with 41 year 5 children and 2 class teachers. The production was at a local high school and involved 5 primary schools from our area. We were greeted by the high schools head of music who barked orders at our children from the moment that we got there to us leaving. I think that she thought that she was talking to unruley 15 year olds instead of primary school children who were faced with performing in front of an audience in an unknown environment. The children did remarkably well under the circumstances. I felt that the children's needs were not adequately catered for and that more breaks for the toilet and for a drink of water were not enough. They performed twice and did really well but I am going to remember this certain teacher's attitude and make sure that I use this as a learning experience and always treat children with the respect that they deserve.

Learning from UNH2601

2006-03-11T19:38:00.000Z

UNH2601 is proving to be a real learning experience but over the past few weeks I have found that my role in school has taken a slightly different course and I feel much more appreciated and like my opinion really does count. I like the responsibility of working in years 5/6 and with my role of cover supervisor no two days are the same.

I have been working hard on UV work and am presently researching literature for my chosen AE topic of the literacy intervention FLS and how children's self-esteem can be affected by certain factors. I am recording the bulk of my findings in my learning journal.

UNH2601 - LA1

2006-03-08T20:11:00.000Z

I have been working on my table of learning and self-esteem in children appears several times in my year 1 and 2 work. I have been thinking of how I may approach my AE. I want to involve FLS and also how the children's self-esteem is affected. My first draft of my ideas are:
Title - not sure yet but must have plenty of scope for 3 cycles.
Gathering of evidence - notes from an informal interview with TA who delivered FLS previously. Also an interview with the SENCO rep. to discover her thoughts on the intervention and on the children involved.
Ethical considerations - more depth needed in this year, letters of permission sent to parents.
Questionnaires from certain children before I begin the intervention aiming to discover how they feel about literacy, what they consider their strenghts and weaknesses and how they feel about taking part in the intervention.
The delivery of FLS
Gathering data along the way by keeping a diary after each lesson and of the children's progress.
Final questionnaires for children to express how they feel about themselves and FLS now.
Interview with SENCO to discuss my findings
Literature to back up my findings and research area.

Blue posting

2006-03-07T20:15:00.000Z

I have been reading through my table of learning from years 1 & 2 and I made the following comment in the Blue commmuunity:
"Hi to all I have been reflecting over my learning from years 1 & 2 and I just thought that I would share my findings with you. By looking back my work from the first modules of year 1 I can really see how my role and myself have changed and grown. At first I was new to working in a school and felt that I knew very little, my role was to support the class teacher and carry out preparation duties. By working on the Investigating the Work Setting module I learned so much about the school and the different routes that were open to me. I also learned a lot about myself and as I worked through each module I realised that when I mastered one technique or task I then wanted to learn something else. This need in me drove me on to request a move up to KS2 and to accept the role of cover supervision. I now know such a lot about my role and enjoy the challenges that each day brings. I have also found that my interest in children's self-esteem and what actually makes a child behave as they do. I 've got lots to think about and I just thought that I would share my findings with you all.
Thanks, Bev"

I have also noticed that my innterest in children's self-esteem and building their self-confidence has grown as I have worked through years 1 & 2.

UNH2601

2006-03-06T21:31:00.000Z

I have been creating a table showing my learning in year 1 and in year 2 for lA1. My initial thoughts are that I have made significant progress in varius areas. My knowledge of different technology has developed greatly but I still think that I have much more to learn and I would like to develop in this area during year 3. When I read my cover sheet for ILM2 I completely agreed with Shirley's comments and the areas that she mentioned as my target areas were the ones which I too intended to focus on. I know that in year 3 I need to research methodology in much more depth and I also need to work on, and hopefully perfect, the Harvard System of reference. I have been working on providing critical support to other researchers during peer review and I do think that during ILM2 I did make some progress in this area. However, this is an area which I am going to focus on and devleop during year 3. I am going to look at my table of learning tomorrow and then no doubt I will be able to refect on more areas of learning. Tomorrow night I also want to spend some time reading messages and commenting on other researcher's ideas and topics for the next AE.

A good week at work

2006-03-03T20:11:00.000Z

I have had a really good week at work this week and have really enjoyed it. I have covered classes a couple of times this week which I love doing and I have worked with target groups on literacy and on numeracy. I began preparing the resources for FLS and I am looking forward to delivering this intervention. I still am keen to use this intervention in some way for my AE in year 3, and I still would like to focus on children's self-esteem. I have been thinking about the different cycles for the AE and I am wondering about in some way looking at how certain children feel about themselves and their abilities before the intervention begins and then mon itoring this as we work through the planned lessons. At the end of the timescale for FLS I will need to compare my results and experiment with different methods of data collection. Lots to think about but I am focused and ready to begin year 3.

Training Day

2006-02-27T16:56:00.000Z

Today I attended an inset days training, with Team-Teach, on Positive Handling Stategies within a Holistic Framework. This training is part of the progression from my last AE on behavioural management. This was a very good days training and the main focus was on the practical reinforcement of restraint methods. After today I am certainly leaning towards focusing my next AE on behavioural management so that I can expand in some way on what I have already learned.

Ideas for my AE

2006-02-24T17:10:00.000Z

I am really drawn to the area of children's self-esteem and what factors can affect it. I think that this follows on from my last AE on behavioural management. I have brought home the information on FLS to read this weekend and I am trying to decide on how I can incorperate this intervention into my AE.

On Monday I have an accredited inset day training on behavioural management and restraint so this is progression of my last AE and is part of my own personal development.

Ready For Year 3

2006-02-23T19:31:00.000Z

I have had a good, relaxing break over the past couple of weeks but I now know that it is time to start preparation for year 3. I logged on to first class and was surprised at the amount of red flags in cohort 2 and realised that the holiday is now over. I have been reading through the resources in the to do list and I have just read through the 21 pages on the 'preparing for year 3' hotseat. My initial ideas for a topic focus are:

how will the environment affect my delivery of FLS (further literacy support)?
how can I raise pupil's self-esteem? (this follows on from my AE into behavioural management so would be a good choice.

I am thinking of the methods that I could use and so far I am looking at notes from my learning journal, observations (my favourite) and interview methods. I also am considering a simple questionnaire as I haven't used this method previously. Today I discussed my ideas with my workplace advocate and I still need to think of how and where exactly I will present my exhibition.

I don't feel as daunted as I thought I would at the prospect of year 3 and in a strange way I am a little excited and starting to produce more ideas.

ILM2/cover supervision

2006-01-31T17:22:00.000Z

I am checking my ILm2 before Friday's deadline and making sure that I haven't forgotten anything.

This morning I covered a year 1 class and I really enjoyed it. It was a refreshing change to work with the younger children after working in year 6 for the past few weeks.

Educational visit to Eureka

2006-01-26T18:57:00.000Z

Visit to Eureka at Halifax with year 3/4 today. Exhibition on 'My Body' , very informative with lots of hands on things to do. My group of 10 were a pleasure to look after and made it a really good day. The only down side was that we had our lunch in an old train carriage, that may sound quaint but was really dingy and and not really a good place to eat in. However, this didn't spoil the day. Posted ILM2 reflective piece into webct for feedback, need to look carefully at my referencing and bibliography next.

ILM2 - behavioural management

2006-01-25T20:59:00.000Z

I couldn't have chosen a better topic for my ILM2 than behavioural management because at school there are certainly plenty of learning experiences. In year 5/6 there is a goup of boys who at times are very difficult and I am really putting my findings from my research into practice. It is very challenging but I am determined to do a good job and to handle various situations in the best possible way.

Tomorrow I am supporting year 3/4 on an eduacational visit to Eureka in Halifax. I went there with year 2 in September and we had a very good day.

Reading for practice SATs

2006-01-23T19:12:00.000Z

Today was the first day of the practice SATs and I will be a reader. I have been asked to do a few hours cover this week so I am pleased with that because I have missed doing cover over the past few weeks. A colleague is off from work due to illness at the moment so I have been asked to pick up the 'Toe by Toe' intervention that she delivers. I have been reading up on the intervention today to prepare myself on it's delivery.

I have completed my first draft of my peer review section for my ILM2 and I am going to share it with my learning set for peer review.

ILM2 - going well

2006-01-22T11:49:00.000Z

It's been a few days since my last entry to this blog but Georgia has not been too good so I have been seeing to her. Everything with my ILM2 seems to be going well and I am on track with the dates in my learning contract. My learning set have just held another chat using the facilities in WebCT and it was very beneficial and productive as it was previously. We discussed how we would continue to share our work and how we can continue to make the best use of the facilities available to us in WebCT. I explained how I have come so far in year 2 and my learning during that year. I am now confident to share my thoughts and ideas and play an active part in the set. This is amazing progress from someone who began year 1 with a limited knowledge of ICT and who to begin with would just read other people's comments in the Blue and Cohort 2 communities before I actually plucked up the courage to join in. It has difinately been an amazing journey and at times like a roller coaster ride but I can see how things have come together and the factors that have made it all possible. I am calm, happy and excited by the challenge of year 3 and if I start to panic please remind me to look back at this entry.

ILM2 learning set chat

2006-01-16T20:39:00.000Z

Yesterday my learning set held a private chat in Webct and I feel that it was very productive and worthwhile. I made the point that I feel that evidence of peer review should mostly be used as an appendix of supporting evidence and I made a note of how I can really see how I need to look at things in more depth now. I consider this as a significant example of my learning I have now moved on from just showing the evidence into analyzing the evidence and finding the important information from it.

Today I stopped after school for the year 6 maths booster class. I found this a good opportunity to feel a part of the class where I work for the majority of my time. I also provided another adult to help the children and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will be attending next week.

ILM2

2006-01-12T18:22:00.000Z

I have posted my data collection section for peer review in WebCT today and also posted a message to see if the other members of my set want to arrange a private chat to discuss the ILM2 and any worries or problems that we may have. This would then provide good evidence of peer review. I am enjoying doing my action enquiry and find that my work is really benefiting form my research.

My new timetable is very different from last terms because I was so busy and in so many different classrooms. Now I only cover nursery for one afternoon each week and the rest of the time I am in year 6. I will get used to the changes once I can get 'my teeth into something'.

Shadowing a child in isolation

2006-01-11T19:47:00.000Z

This afternoon I was asked to shadow a year 5 boy who was placed in isolation after displaying continuous inappropriate behaviour. I was required to discretely follow the child as he moved around school where he wanted to go. By baout 2pm he began to settle down and he followed me into the library and asked if he could do some work. The Deputy Head agreed to this so I sat with him as he worked. He was then allowed to join the rest of his class for the remaining half hour of the school day in the ICT suite.

Behavioural Management Training for cover supervisors

2006-01-10T16:31:00.000Z

Had a good day, perhaps rather than learning anything new it helped me to think about my own work and to look at it from another perspective, mainly from that of the child, so in a way this is learning isn't it? Why do children display inappropriate behaviour? and how can we turn negative experiences into positive ones. the training focused heavily on children's self-esteem which is an area that I am really interested in so I found this very interesting. I also met other cover supervisors and some did not seem very happy with their role and how they were treated. They asked about my role and I said that I felt valued and that I also was treated with respect, I also think that the fact that I am working towards my degree gains me respect. Some of the other people said that they were being used as cover supervisors but only paid the minimum and only for when they are actually covering.

I heard lots about Bill Rogers so I shall be researching his work tonight.

Behavioural Management Training for Cover Supervisors

2006-01-09T19:00:00.000Z

Tomorrow I will be attending a days training for cover supervisors on behavioural management. My ILM2 concerns behavioural issues and I requested relevant training when I had decided on my action enquiry topic. I am really pleased at this opportunity because it fits in perfectly with my studies. It will also give me an opportunity to meet with other cover supervisors and to discuss how there roles are progressing because this role is relatively new. I am working on my action enquiry and the data collection and data analysis and reflection sections. I have been finding out more about the Elton Report and its usefulness in the drawing up of school policies.

Peer review for ILM2

2006-01-07T19:39:00.000Z

Now that the CBSP module is completed I can concentrate on my action enquiry for ILM2. Yesterday I gave peer review to a fellow researcher on some work and today I have uploaded my Topic and Context as an attachment in Web CT for comments. I am much more confident now in for example using the Web CT where at one time I would have been terrified by it. I like Web CT and how everything to do with the module is together and easy to access. I make sure that I log in every day to keep up with messages and to give peer review to other researchers. All is well and the end of year 2 is getting nearer, I am feeling positive and happy with my studies.