Teaching Assistant free essay sample

Describe the key aspects of the role of a teaching assistant The key aspect of a teaching assistant is to carry out a range of different practical and administrative tasks. As well as, work under the direction of the teaching staff or senior staff in the supervision and support of the pupil’s learning. By doing this the teaching assistant is helping to make more time available for the teacher to teach, however the role of a teaching assistant may vary from school to school. The teaching assistant is required to support the following: * Supporting the teacher * Supporting the pupil * Supporting the school * Supporting the curriculum Supporting the teacher One of the primary responsibilities is to arranged the classroom according to the lessons and to insure the pupils work activities are displayed throughout the classroom. Observe and record the pupils behaviour, problems, progress and academics achievements as well as report the findings to the teacher. We will write a custom essay sample on Teaching Assistant or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Provide administration assistant as when and needed. Another responsibility of the teaching assistant is to work under direction of the teaching staff and senior staff in the classroom. Supporting the pupils Assist the pupils with their personal needs and help implant related personal programmes such as; * Social * Health * Physical * Hygiene * First aid * Welfare As well as building and maintain a good relationships with the pupils, by being a good role model and also responding to their individuals needs appropriately. Another responsibility is to observe and ensure the health and safety of the pupils who have access to the learning environment. Promote the welfare and acceptance of all pupils, motivate pupils to interact with others and participate in activites given by the teachers and also support the pupils to act independently when it’s appropriate. Supporting the school The teaching assistant needs to be knowledgeable of the policies and procedures relating to child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection and reporting all concerns to an appropriate staff member. The teaching assistant also has to be aware of and support difference and make sure all pupils have equal access to opportunities to learn and develop. Attend meetings that are required. Continue personal development by participating in training and other learning activities and performance. Provide supervision of pupils out of lesson times i. e. including before and after school and lunchtimes. Assist teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required. Teaching assistant in schools provide an important role in the education supporting the wellbeing of the pupil in school and consistently providing input to raise the standard of the school Supporting the curriculum Supporting the curriculum the teaching assistants are not just part of the staff but are part of a team. The teaching assistant have the responsibilities to help the pupils understand instructions as well as help prepare the pupils with the regard of the local and national strategies which is given by the teacher e. g. numeracy, ks3, early years etc. Support the pupils in using basic ICT skills and to help prepare and maintain the equipment, resources as directed by the teacher and assist pupils in their use. Teaching Assistant free essay sample Describe how you might contribute to a lesson given to a group of seven year-old children learning to play percussion instruments? The role of the Teaching Assistant is to create and maximise the learning environment and to keep disturbing behaviour to a minimum. With this in mind my contribution to the learning of percussion instrument s would be. * Prior to the lesson taking place, I would make sure that the area they are going to be using is safe to the pupils and the instruments to be set up. If there is any other equipment is in the area which is not needed for the lesson, I would then put them away to another safe place. * That there is adequate equipment and that all instruments are in good working order prior to use. * I would also make sure I had a good knowledge of the instruments prior to the lesson, if I didn’t I would ask the teacher to clarify the names and also how they were to be used. We will write a custom essay sample on Teaching Assistant or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Then I can help show what the correct way to play the instruments are. * Going around the class and assisting any children who are struggle using the instruments, showing them how to hold and play with them. Making sure that music sheets are available if needed. * I would keep an eye on all pupils to make sure that they are behaving and help keep the pupils interested during the lesson to make sure that they don’t cause disruptive behaviour * As part of the role of a teaching assistant is observation, to within this in mind I will make observations to make sure they are following the objections of the lesson and following the guidelines * I will then provide my feedback of the lesson, to either the children or the teacher Q2 what might your role be in organising, using and maintaining the learning resources, materials and equipment? I would assist in the preparation of the resources, ensuring the classroom was set up before the lesson begins. To also ensure that all the instruments are set up correctly as instructed for the individual instrument and for how the teacher would like them. While doing this check I will make sure they are clean and in a safe working order. So the lesson can run smoothly we need to work out if they can work individually or within small groups. If the groups are to be using music sheets then I will make sure they are in good condition and if any of them need replacing. I would also encourage the children at the end of the lesson to be responsible to put the instruments away, but dependant of their age this might vary of how much they are allowed to do, to make sure it’s done correctly and safely to avoid any damages to the equipment, if any were damaged I would report this to the teacher to arrange either a replacement or to be repaired. I would also make sure that at the end of the lesson that all the work surfaces are clean and the classroom back to the how it would have been found at the beginning of the lesson. Q3 Describe how you act in class in order to be an effective role model for the standards of behaviour expected in pupils. As a teaching assistant it is essential to be an effective role model to promote positive behaviour both within the class and also in the school when around other pupils, teachers and staff. Pupils cannot be expected to behave in class if your own behaviour is not appropriate. It is also important to use appropriate language and that good manners are always used at all time, this would also apply when speaking to other adults and pupils. I would also show respect for other pupils and listen to them and help encourage them to show the same courtesy to you and others. This would also apply to following school rules and to make sure these are being adhered to. It is important to notice when children are trying hard and acknowledge it. But it is also important to not forget pupils who behave inappropriate and try and encourage them or to offer a reward be it sticker or reward chart. Positive recognition must always be followed up, for example if you have told a pupil you will tell the teacher of their good behaviour then this should be followed up and the teacher made aware of this. I would also encourage children to work as part of a team, pay attention and concentrate on the task. I would also offer support to those pupils who felt isolated or were not getting involved in the task set by the teacher. It is also important for the teaching assistant to be a good role model and is not only focused on the pupil’s behaviour but also their learning as well. Example of this could be a child in the class who is not confident enough to speak out loudly when involved in a group task, you could build up a rapport with the child and to try and work with them about ideas they have and to then encourage them to use these ideas with in the group. Q4 what strategies might you employ to encourage pupils to behave appropriately? Describe how you might react to incidents of bullying and violence. To encourage pupils to behave appropriately I would get them involved with making the rules, keeping them simple and not to make too many as this may distract them from why rules are there. I would look at designing posters for the wall which the pupils can work in group to put their own stamp on the rules. I would also encourage them strongly to adhere to these rules and what consequences may be if not followed. I would also encourage pupils of good standards of behaviour at all times and reward them for this i. . stickers or reward charts. This will then reduce any form a behaviour problems from occurring. Be proactive and to prepare things in advance by doing this it will reduce and problems occurring. And also to imagine any possible problems that may occur though out the lesson. All signs of bullying or violence should be taken seriously and reported and logged with the teacher or other school staff. I would als o make sure that any signs of bullying or violence is acted upon correctly to make sure or minimize it from happening in the future. This should be made aware to the pupils by the teacher and to also act upon any kind of follow up as directed from the teacher if bullying or violence is found be it in the classroom or outside the classroom. This could be dealt with by dealing with the incident individually and to assess what needs are required to eliminate this from happening in the future. I feel very strongly against anti-bullying and child protection so would make sure the pupils feel I can be approachable if they need someone to talk about. Q7. Describe how you might appropriately observe the physical abilities and skills of a nine year old boy. The first thing I would do is to find out exactly what the teacher is after from the observation. This way when I report back then we know I have been getting the right information. The observation would need to be carried out on normal day for the pupil so that you can see them at their full advantage and be able to report it correctly. To do a good observation you need to make sure the pupils don’t know what’s happening otherwise they won’t be themselves. This will entail a false observation and you won’t get a true result of their day to day behaviour . When observing the pupil I would attempt to make some rapport with the pupil so that they could comfortable with me being around them, especially if I am not generally known to them. Whilst doing the observation I would be looking for their- o Social and emotional – how they interact with other o Instructions – how they deal with group or individual tasks o Language and communication skills – how to speak to others o Physical abilities – how they move or handle objects