Classroom SetupThe classroom is two rooms where the dividing wall has been closed away. The desks were set up half in rows and half in groups. Initially this was so that lessons could utilise the different spaces, but at the end of day one, the desks were moved to all in rows as students were chatting in the groups and were easily distracted.
Students' desks had trays removed prior to school starting, and were informed this was to help them prepare for high school where they wouldn't have a tray to store their things in. The classroom was not decorated much, walls were quite plain, with only a few posters stuck up. OrganisationAs students came in on the first day with bags of books and equipment, it was a priority to sort out where everything was going to be stored.
Introducing the homework diary and how to use it was emphasised on day one. Students had a list of things to write in for the week and were instructed on the processes of the diary. The diary was used as a form of communication between teacher and parent, and it was a requirement to get the diary signed by a guardian each week. Establishing routinesStudents were given a copy of their weekly schedule, detailing what times they had each class. This was introduced to teach them how it would work during high school.
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BehaviourTo begin the school year, to allow students to get settled, they were allowed to sit where they liked and with who they liked. This allowed on the basis that they didn't constantly talk and got their work done. It was made clear that if they misbehaved they would be moved and the class would have to have a seating arrangement.
Behaviour expectations were discussed in the first session of the day, highlighting that the class rules were formed around the school's code of conduct for students - 'Learn': Every child has the right to learn and must respect the rights of others to learn. 'Respect': Every child will respect and care for all students, adults and property. 'Be Safe': Every child will behave and play safely. Students were shown a behaviour chart which listed all of their names and were instructed that if they misbehaved there would be a cross put next to their name and consecutive crosses meant dealings with the principle. As many of the students had been in these teachers' classes before, behaviour expectations were mostly implied. By week 2, students who weren't completing homework or tasks had text messages sent to their parents to ensure that they were aware of their students behaviour. AssessmentFormal and standardised assessment were the focus in the first two weeks of the year. Students were given a standardised spelling test to complete, as well as mental maths testing, and Maths Olympiad testing. Marks for all testing were given back within a day of students completing it.
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