Mid-Week 3 Reflection

Woooow! Week 3 already! It is amazing how fast the time goes!

Room 7 are beginning to follow routines better and better. We had to practice stopping, looking and listening for a bit as I noticed that I was starting to talk over top of children. We rehearsed this for a while and the children are much better at stopping and listening.

I have begun implementing my reading programme this week which involves must dos and can dos. I have 6 groups. I want to have time to really look into and break down a book so I see three groups a day and the other groups read all together. The children know to move onto their 'can dos' when they have finished their 'must dos.' I am monitoring their noise level at this point in time and their choice of activity.

I am now in the process of creating writing, maths and phonic groups for next week. I am using the data from last year to create my groups. I am looking forward to getting these underway so that the children are involved in a more structured routine.

I am thinking about my handwriting programme. At the moment I am teaching handwriting in a whole class context. However after a couple of weeks I may change this to a rotation. This will help me monitor children's handwriting more closely to check that they are forming their letters correctly. At this point I am thinking of having approximately 3 or 4 groups. One group will be with me with their handwriting book, one group could be forming letters with playdough, another group could be using the whiteboards. I will keep thinking about this and might make a plan.

I am working hard to keep in contact with parents. I am emailing them with reminders when something is coming up. I am aware of those children whose emails are not working so those parents get a written note home. I have sent out an introductory letter about myself. I also am making myself available from 8.30-9 and after 3 to talk to parents. Meet the teacher even is on Thursday 18/02. This will be a great opportunity for me to meet any parents that I haven't met yet.

Reflecting on Dezaiah's behaviour-He is looking for attention by calling out and being disruptive. I have spoken to his previous teachers and they have recommended that I be fair and firm with him. They also recommend that I set up a behaviour management programme for him. They say I need to get to know him, find out what he likes and build a relationship with his mother. I have created a racetrack and a contract for Dezaiah. He must obey his contract and his car moves forward. If he doesn't then his car moves backwards. When he reaches the finishing line he gets 10 minutes of free time on the computer.