context+-cohort

I think we said we would allow about **150** words for this section. I am assuming it is similar to the one we wrote for ass#2. Please add or change or help me out ...... what do you think about this (kim)

This integrated unit of work is designed for a year 1/2 class containing 16 students, made up of 10 boys and 6 girls. In this class there are 4 students with either learning and or behavioural difficulties. To address these students' needs learning needs to be engaging and tasks have to be able to be adapted to suit their capabilities. The students have access to 9 computers, consequently students are paired up when using the computers. Students with lower abilities are paired with more competent peers to aid the learning of both students. All students have basic keyboard and mouse skills and have experience w ith exploring different text and graphic tools to enhance work, using different ICTs for learning and pleasure, are able to navigate networks, can use excel, paint and powerpoint presentations and with guidance can save and open documents. Most students have access to computers at home. Most students have ( average?) literacy & numeracy skills, those with lower abilities are supported by peers and the teacher. The learning areas that will be integrated within this learning sequence are Science, Maths, Art, Literacy & Technology, incorporating ICT through all these areas which are supported by the early years curriculum band of the South Australian Curriculum Standards & Accountability Framework (SACSA, 2009). In particular this unit of work will focus on space .(solar system and the planets)?. .....(kim) And then we could possibly talk about each learning area Art- students will obtain a broad basic knowledge of the earth and the solar systems and the planets. Students will create a powerpoint presentation about a chosen planet and present it to an audience for assessment purposes and to demonstrate and understanding and knowledge (Mxo) Science- Literacy and Technology- Maths- It isn't mentioned in the context but will there be any students with behaviour or learning difficulties, most of the classes I work with have at least 4 students with lower abilities or behaviour problems. If so how do we address these issues, do we need to focus on keeping these students engaged or will we have a teacher's aide in the classroom. What support do we have in the class? Sorry I'm just playimg devil's advocate as this is what I work with everyday. (Fiona) Sounds great Fiona just add to the work in progress as I have done =o) Mxo
 * Fiona (or I think it was I like how you have included a section on students with special needs Mxo) **

Yes i think this is on the right track made one change what do you think (Tara)

Fiona i agree, i think we should include at least 2 or 3 students with additional needs. Do you think our class should have more than 16 students? Is this a typical mainstream ratio? i am used to very small classes and high staff ratios. just trying to get an image my head. (kim) Kim this was just a suggestion of 16 students I know that schools like to keep the class numbers small wherever possible and being a combination class I thought 16 was a good number (just a suggestion) as I also thought that students when working on the computers could be paired into twos having one computer free for the teacher to demonstrate using the smartboard or to place students with behaviour or learning difficulties to work individually (our school also has several lap-tops that the students have access to as well) Mxo i ts a great suggestion Mary, I am quite out of my depth when thinking and planning for mainstream classroom so i tend to aks lots of questions so i can get a good handle on the situation (kim) ** Hey Kim please don't feel that you are out of your depth we are all teachers in training and I feel very much like I'm not sure what I am doing also, we just need to support each other - hope I'm not coming across as being too bossy (I don't mean to be) just worrying as it will be difficult when I am in Ade. to get internet access and want to have most of it finished Mxo **