Sara

Sara's reflections on her students. Diagnostic results, what next profile, POL adjustments and resources sent to develop skills.... Feedback and reflection of successes and barriers Other teacher's comments and reflections on the processes...

9/2/10 I am starting the year with clearer and higher expectations for my students. I'm setting up writing books for all of my students and English books (for word study, spelling, comprehension activities) for my students struggling with literacy. I'm asking all students to return some work every week!

Student Sh: One student that I'm focusing particularly on is a year 9 boy who was with me last year and did very little work. Through a SEA grant I organised a teacher aide for him who started at the end of term 4. She works with him one hour per day, Mon-Fri.

19/2/10 Something surprising happened this week: Sh had a phone conversation with me and we completed a Probe assessment. Last year we spoke no more than 2-3 times in the whole year as he was always in bed, or out, or in the shower, and only his father would speak to me. His reading level has moved up about 18 months since the beginning of last year (6-7 instructional to 7-8 exceeded), and this certainly seems to be due to the work with his TA. We talked about the work he is doing and I wasn't surprised to hear that he only works for one hour each day when his TA is with him. I asked him to do some independent work every day, even if this is only art initially, so that we can start to build an independent work habit. He said he would try. I will keep pushing this point with him in future conversations.

10/3/10 Sh has returned quite a lot of work this week; some things have been done quite well, and other things have been partially completed. I had a phone call from his TA saying that he had been assaulted (punched 8 times) by his older brother. She says the house is a bit of a war zone and she would like to work with him in the local library rather than in the house from now on. Dad is apparently very gentle and loving but can't control his older children who live with him. This is an awful situation, and makes me realise how well Sh is doing to be completing any work at all. I will follow up on this, although not sure what I can do.

Student Cl: Is a new overseas student living in China. Mum is a teacher and very supportive; we have already established regular and very useful e-mail communication. My challenge for this year will be to provide an on-line programme for this student as mail is so unreliable to China and can take 6+ weeks, or not get there at all. Ann has joined this student to her on-line class and I'm waiting to hear if they have got in successfully to start doing some work.