TEACHING STANDARD 1: Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
During my teaching practice, I was responsible for creating two unit plans that would be used during that period. Both unit blocks were meant to be delivered in a period of 3 weeks with about 8 lessons for each block. Although I would rather have a full 6-week block to deliver a unit block, I tried to reflect on both subjects: Volleyball / Invasion games and went through the unit of inquiry of both units, and decided to create a scheme of work that allowed me to cater the needs of those who never played the sport before or are not good at it and the ones who are comfortable with and play it at a competitive level. Here is an example of a unit plan and a scheme of work i created:
TEACHING STANDARD 2: Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
During my teaching practice During TP2, I demonstrated several times a high level of responsibility for the attainment progress and outcomes for the students I teach during lessons by utilizing AFL (Assessment for Learning) techniques throughout the unit. Such techniques were exit tickets, post-it notes, white boards, traffic lights, etc.; through those I was capable to assess students’ progress during the lesson. Many of those were not just used during but also at the end of the lesson to ascertain that students had retained all the information given that was related to the objectives. Evidence of this can be found in my ‘PHOTOS’ folder in which you will be able to see several examples of what students wrote as an answer to one of my plenary questions before the end of the lesson
TEACHING STANDARD 3: Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
I demonstrated critical understanding of developments in the subject regarding assessment for learning techniques, and through several researches I was able to select a few techniques and experiment them in my lessons. In this lesson plan, I utilized think/pair/share and also cooperative learning, such as jigsaw in which each group focus on one particular aspect so that then every group is a specialist in a determined area.
Here's an example of one of my lessons plans utilized in our volleyball unit block:
TEACHING STANDARD 4: Plan and teach well structured lessons
I demonstrated developing understanding and imparting knowledge through effective use of lesson time, in several of my lesson plans in which students were on-task throughout the majority of the lesson.
I set homework for a group of students who I know they wouldn’t be present in the next lesson. So I elaborated several questions related to the theme of the next lesson, and gave each student a sheet of paper they would have to return on their next lesson.
TEACHING STANDARD 5: Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
I demonstrated having a secure understanding of how a range of factors can inhibit pupils’ ability to learn and what is the best way to overcome these factors in this lesson, by having the SEN under my supervision all the time, so I could modify some of the activities in order to engage him during the lesson.
While writing an assigment for a theory of teaching module, I was able to gather a lot of information about differentiation not just in PE but also in other areas. Through this assignment I was able to acquire knowledge on differentiation and how we should challenge our students to develop their skills and progress according to their needs. Therefore, I demonstrated knowledge on how to differentiate appropriately in a PE setting
TEACHING STANDARD 6: Make accurate and productive use of assessment
During my practice I was able to improve the way I assess my students by utilizing both formative and summative assessment methods. As it is clearly visible in most of my lessons plans, I decided to always include in my plenaries some form of AFL methods to assess students at the end of the lesson, so I could have an idea about whether I should revisit that topic or if it was retained by students. Besides plenaries, I also utilize lots of questioning methods and mini-plenaries during the lessons in order to assure my students are making progresses within the unit we are working with. For summative assessment, in our ‘Volleyball’ unit, I created an online quiz about volleyball to assess students’ knowledge and understanding of rules and techniques and I was responsible for creating that quiz by utilizing an application called SOCRATIVE.
TEACHING STANDARD 7: Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment
I demonstrated having clear routines in my classroom by having rules that students should follow when inside the gym during a PE lesson.
TEACHING STANDARD 8: Fulfil wider professional responsibilities
Throughout my PGCE i developed a closer and more professional relationship with my mentor and my colleagues on a regular basis, and was often required to work collaboratively with the PE department during the lessons. I was often asked to be a teaching assistant during the lessons, by either teaching a small group of students or having other roles during the lessons. I a;so coached several activities after school, such as volleyball and basketball.
